At Miami Designer Smiles, we often say: “The face doesn’t just grow, it’s guided.” And when the right factors aren’t present during development, the results can affect much more than just appearance. In fact, they can impact your breathing, your sleep, and your overall health.
Let’s talk about what we call “The Big 3” the three major components essential for proper facial and airway development:
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Nasal Breathing
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Lips Closed at Rest
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Tongue Positioned in the Palate
These three elements may seem simple, but they play a powerful role in shaping how your face grows, how your jaws develop, and how well your airway functions.
What Happens When the Big 3 Are Disrupted?
Modern lifestyles have changed how our faces develop. Compared to our prehistoric ancestors, today’s children are more likely to:
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Bottle feed instead of breastfeed
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Eat pureed or soft foods
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Breathe through their mouths due to allergies or congestion
These changes might seem harmless, but they can interfere with normal facial growth. Without proper nasal breathing and tongue posture, the jaw doesn’t grow to its full potential, which leads to smaller mouths, crowded teeth, and narrow airways.
The Consequences of Improper Facial Development
Disrupted development can lead to a variety of health challenges both in childhood and adulthood. These may include:
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Chronic mouth breathing
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Swollen tonsils and enlarged adenoids
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TMJ issues and jaw pain
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Snoring and sleep apnea
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Asthma and allergies
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Reflux and digestive issues
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Poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue
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Increased risk of high blood pressure and prediabetes
ENTs may tell concerned parents, “They’ll outgrow it.” But that’s not always true and waiting can mean years of unnecessary struggle.
Real Results: A Case Study
Take a look at this real case from our practice. The photo shows the same patient at age 16 and again at age 29. The upper airway space is visibly restricted due to a lack of proper development. This patient suffered from chronic pain, sinus issues, and an inability to breathe through one side of her nose. After multiple doctor visits, imaging, and advocating on her behalf, we were finally able to get her the treatment she needed.
She recently told us, “Dr., you saved my life.”
We don’t take that lightly.
Our Approach at Miami Designer Smiles
Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Conchi Sanchez-Garcia are specially trained in airway-centered dentistry and facial growth guidance. We’re passionate about looking at the full picture—not just the teeth.
Here’s how we help:
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Thorough evaluations of oral posture, jaw width, and airway space
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Advanced imaging (like CBCT scans) to assess facial structure
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Collaborative care with ENT specialists, sleep doctors, and orthodontists
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Specialized expansion techniques to regain lost oral space and airway volume
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Guided Growth Treatments to help children develop properly before problems arise
Don’t Wait to Take Action
Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s breathing or an adult struggling with sleep and sinus issues, it’s never too late to get help.
Schedule a consultation today and learn how we can help you or your child breathe better, sleep better, and feel better by restoring the foundation of health: facial development and airway function.