Question 1

Airway-Centric Dentistry

Accepted Answer

A philosophy of care that considers how oral structures (teeth, jaws, tongue) affect breathing, sleep, and overall health.
It prioritizes optimal breathing, airway patency, and craniofacial development in diagnosis and treatment planning. It sees malocclusion and skeletal discrepancies as potential indicators of airway dysfunction rather than isolated dental problems.

Question 2

Airway Orthodontics / Airway-Centric Orthodontics

Accepted Answer

A modern orthodontic paradigm that prioritizes optimizing upper airway volume, promoting nasal breathing, and supporting forward facial growth. Treatment targets root causes like poor rest oral posture, narrow palate, or retrusive jaws to improve breathing, sleep quality, and long-term craniofacial health, rather than focusing solely on tooth alignment or traditional "ideal" occlusion.

Its goal is to expand or optimize the upper airway volume and facial growth, and  often involves early intervention to promote proper forward facial development, and avoid extractions or retraction that could narrow the airway.

Question 3

Airway Obstruction

Accepted Answer

Partial or complete blockage of airflow, often occurring during sleep due to soft tissue collapse or anatomical restrictions.

Question 4

Adenoids

Accepted Answer

Lymphatic tissue located in the nasopharynx; enlarged adenoids can contribute to mouth breathing and airway restriction

Question 5

Apnea (Obstructive Sleep Apnea, OSA)

Accepted Answer

A sleep disorder marked by repeated episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to fragmented rest and systemic health issues.

Question 6

Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)

Accepted Answer

A measure used in sleep studies to quantify the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It counts the average number of apnea and hypopnea events per hour of sleep. Airway-centric dentists often refer to AHI when assessing the need for oral appliance therapy or structural corrections.

Question 7

Appliance (Oral Appliance Therapy)

Accepted Answer

Custom dental device used to reposition the jaw or tongue to improve airway patency during sleep.

Question 8

Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy

Accepted Answer

Enlargement of the adenoids and tonsils that can constrict the airway, often contributing to mouth breathing, snoring, and altered craniofacial growth.

Question 9

Anterior Open Bite

Accepted Answer

Malocclusion where the front teeth don’t touch when the back teeth do, often associated with tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or airway restriction.

Question 10

Bruxism

Accepted Answer

Involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, often during sleep. It is frequently a protective mechanism against airway collapse (compensatory action to advance the mandible/jaw and open the airway).

Question 11

Buccal Corridor

Accepted Answer

The visible space between the teeth and inner cheeks when smiling; a narrow corridor can indicate maxillary constriction impacting nasal airflow.

Question 12

Biomechanics of the Jaw

Accepted Answer

The functional movements and forces of the mandible, relevant in maintaining airway space during rest and sleep.

Question 13

CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)

Accepted Answer

3D imaging used to evaluate airway volume, jaw position, and anatomical structures.

Question 14

Craniofacial Development

Accepted Answer

Growth of the skull and face; improper development can lead to airway restriction. Airway-centric dentistry emphasizes guiding growth to ensure adequate airway volume and nasal breathing.

Question 15

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

Accepted Answer

A device used to treat sleep apnea by delivering continuous air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. It delivers pressurized air via a mask to keep the airway open. Airway-centric dentists often collaborate on cases where CPAP is not tolerated, offering oral appliance alternatives.

Question 16

Crossbite

Accepted Answer

Malocclusion where upper teeth sit inside lower teeth (posterior) or lower inside upper (anterior). Often tied to narrow maxilla and restricted nasal airway; airway-centric treatment frequently uses expansion to correct.

Question 17

Cephalometric Radiograph (Ceph) / Cephalometric Analysis

Accepted Answer

A standardized side-view X-ray of the head used to measure skeletal relationships, jaw positions, and airway dimensions (e.g., pharyngeal airway space). Essential in airway-focused diagnostics to assess retrognathia, vertical patterns, or narrow airways.

Question 18

Airway

Accepted Answer

The pathway for air from the nose/mouth through the pharynx to the lungs. In dentistry, emphasis is on upper airway patency (nasal + pharyngeal space). Airway-centric care aims to enlarge/maintain this space to support nasal breathing and reduce collapse risks during sleep.

Question 19

Alveolar Bone / Alveolar Process

Accepted Answer

The bony ridge in the jaws that contains tooth sockets (alveoli). It anchors teeth via the periodontal ligament. In airway views, adequate alveolar support relates to proper jaw development and tongue posture for maxillary expansion.

Question 20

Centric Relation (CR)

Accepted Answer

Jaw position with condyles in their most superior-anterior position in the glenoid fossae. Traditional dentistry emphasizes retruded CR; airway-centric views may favor positions that enhance pharyngeal airway without distalizing condyles.

Question 21

Abscess

Accepted Answer

A pocket of infection that can cause pain, swelling, and sometimes a bad taste.

Question 22

Amalgam Filling

Accepted Answer

A silver-colored filling used to repair a cavity.

Question 23

Anesthesia (Local Anesthetic) / Freezing

Accepted Answer

Medication used to numb an area so you don’t feel pain during treatment.

Question 24

Bonding

Accepted Answer

A tooth-colored material used to repair chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth.

Question 25

Crown

Accepted Answer

A cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance.

Question 26

Calculus (Tartar)

Accepted Answer

Hardened plaque that sticks to teeth and must be removed by a dental professional.

Glossary