Optimizing the jaw sizes by widening the jaws during early interceptive treatment is a proactive treatment approach to help remove the dental /jaw causes of airway obstruction. By widening the jaws, additional tongue space is available which allows the tongue to be held farther forward away from the back of the throat increasing airway size. It also increases the width of the floor of the nose and can help reduce the soft palate from obstructing the airway.
Orthognathic Surgery or OGS to surgically advance one or both jaws and to widen the upper jaw is a perhaps the most effective way to improve the airway on a more permanent basis.