Your journey
From your first appointment to the end of treatment.
Whether you are an adult managing jaw pain, disrupted sleep, or bruxism, or a parent seeking answers for your child, here is what your care looks like from start to finish.
Your first appointment is a conversation as much as a clinical assessment. You will have time to explain what has brought you here, whether that is years of teeth grinding, a child who snores, or jaw discomfort that other practitioners have not been able to resolve.
The clinician will take a thorough history covering sleep patterns, breathing habits, posture, dental history, and any related symptoms. For children, this includes feeding history, speech development, and school behaviour where relevant. The appointment typically runs between 60 and 90 minutes. You will leave with a clear understanding of what the next step involves and why.
Before any treatment is recommended, a full set of records is gathered. This can include a cone beam CT scan (CBCT), which allows the airway, jaw joints, nasal passages, and facial structures to be assessed in three dimensions. Photographs, dental impressions or digital scans, and a postural assessment may also be taken.
For adults, this stage often reveals how long-standing patterns such as forward head posture, bite instability, or restricted nasal breathing are connected. For children, it can clarify whether structural development, tongue function, or tethered oral tissues are contributing to their symptoms. A full treatment plan is then prepared and explained in detail before anything proceeds.
Active treatment varies considerably depending on your situation, and there is no single appliance or protocol that fits every case. Adults may be prescribed a functional appliance to support jaw repositioning, bite stabilisation, or to address bruxism and sleep-disordered breathing. Myofunctional therapy can be part of the plan, either in person or remotely. Soft tissue procedures such as tongue or lip tie releases may be recommended where tongue function is limited.
For children, treatment often centres on gentle arch development using removable expanders, alongside myofunctional therapy to support nasal breathing and correct swallow patterns. Where appropriate, tongue or lip tie releases are carried out using laser-assisted techniques. All appliances and approaches apply slow, considered forces rather than rapid or heavy mechanical pressure.
Treatment does not end when an appliance is fitted or a procedure is completed. Regular review appointments allow progress to be tracked, appliances adjusted, and therapy exercises refined. For adults, this stage often addresses the gradual unwinding of long-held compensatory patterns. For children, it supports healthy growth as development continues.
The team remains available between appointments, and myofunctional therapy support can continue remotely where that suits your circumstances.
Questions about getting started
A few of the ones we hear most. The full list answers more across every topic.
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?+
No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to arrange an initial assessment for yourself or your child.
How do I book an appointment?+
You can book directly through the website or by calling us. No referral is required.
How long does treatment take?+
Treatment duration varies considerably depending on the patient's age, the conditions being addressed, and the combination of therapies involved. Childhood cases with straightforward structural concerns may resolve over twelve to twenty-four months. Adult cases involving TMJ dysfunction, sleep concerns, and layered structural issues can take longer. We will give you a realistic picture at your assessment.
How much does treatment cost?+
Fees depend on the type of assessment or treatment required. We will provide a clear breakdown of costs following your initial consultation, so there are no surprises. We are happy to discuss fee structures before you book if that would help you plan.
Take the first step toward understanding what is behind your symptoms.
Book your initial consultation with Growth and Airway.