What to Expect

Get the Full Picture on Your Airway Health

We combine advanced diagnostic tools with expert care to create personalized treatment plans that help you breathe, sleep, and thrive.

Book Your Consultation

Dr. Matt Hicks performing a biologic dental procedure on a patient

Why Choose The Airway Dentists

What Sets Our Diagnostic Process Apart

Patient-First Approach We take our time and listen closely - no rushed visits.
Whole-Picture Diagnostics We don't just look at teeth, we assess your full airway system.
Top-Tier Technology From 3D scans to in-home sleep studies, we use the most advanced tools available.
Tailored to You No two treatment plans are the same - we adapt based on your age, history, and goals.

Diagnostic Tools

The Technology Behind Our Diagnostics

SleepImage Ring®

An easy, at-home test to measure how well you breathe and sleep.

The SleepImage Ring is a wearable sleep monitor that tracks your sleep quality, breathing patterns, and signs of disrupted sleep. Worn like a simple finger ring, it gives us powerful data to evaluate conditions like sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea—all from the comfort of your own bed. The FDA calls it “in every respect statistically equivalent to the output” from an in-lab PSG study.

Non-Invasive + Comfortable: No wires, masks, or labs—just sleep as usual
FDA-Cleared: Clinically validated to assess sleep quality and breathing patterns
Detailed Sleep Report: Measures oxygen dips, heart rate variability, and sleep architecture
Guides Next Steps: Helps determine if airway treatment is needed

It’s an important tool we use to uncover what’s happening while you sleep—so we can treat the root cause, not just the symptoms.

iTero Lumina™ 3D Scanner

A detailed digital scan of your teeth, bite, and arch shape.

The iTero Lumina is our go-to scanner for capturing a full digital model of your mouth—fast, comfortably, and with stunning accuracy. Using over 6,000 stitched images, it creates a detailed 3D scan that helps us assess bite, arch width, and airway space in real time.

Ultra-Comfortable: Smaller wand = easier scans, even for kids and sensitive patients
Wide Field of View: Captures more with fewer passes
Precise + Real-Time: See what we see on screen as we scan
Data-Driven Decisions: Helps us tailor treatment plans with confidence

This scan is often the very first step in your care—it sets the foundation for everything we do next.

MouthWatch Intraoral Camera

A close-up look at what’s happening inside your mouth.

Our intraoral cameras give you a clear, real-time view of your teeth and soft tissue. These small, high-resolution cameras help us show you exactly what we see—so you’re never left in the dark about your oral health.

Real-Time Imaging: View your teeth, gums, and tongue on screen as we examine them
Patient Education: We walk you through what we see and why it matters
Precise Documentation: Helps us track changes over time
Comfortable & Non-Invasive: Just a small wand—no discomfort, no radiation

These images support our diagnosis and help you feel informed and involved in your care.

CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) Imaging

A full 3D view of your airway, jaw, and sinuses.

CBCT gives us a precise, three-dimensional look at the structures that affect how you breathe, sleep, and function. Unlike flat X-rays, this scan captures your entire head and neck region in a single, low-radiation image.

Airway Assessment: Measures airway volume and spots obstructions
Jaw + Sinus Clarity: Helps us see root positions, nasal passages, and more
Safe & Efficient: Low-radiation scan completed in seconds
Supports Tailored Care: Essential for planning orthodontic or airway-focused treatment

This scan is especially important for adult patients or those with complex concerns around sleep, breathing, or bite alignment.

What to expect

Your First Visit and Follow-Up

No rushed appointments. No one-size-fits-all approach.

Your first visit is all about getting the full picture of your airway and oral health - so we can understand what's really going on and how to help.

Step 1: Paperwork & Patient History

We start by listening. Before you even arrive, you'll complete a set of intake forms that help us understand your medical and dental history, your sleep habits, and what's bringing you in. This information gives us insight into how your breathing may be affecting your rest and overall wellness.
- New Patient Paperwork
- Medical & Dental History Forms
- Sleep Questionnaire
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Step 2: Advanced Imaging & Functional Exam

We'll take a high-resolution iTero Lumina scan - a digital 3D model of your teeth, bite, and arch shape. This is followed by a conversation with the doctor, where you'll review the scan together and talk through your chief complaint and any symptoms you're experiencing. Then, the doctor performs a functional intraoral exam, assessing key features like:
- Tongue size and range of motion
- Tonsil size and soft palate position
- Bite classification and arch width
- Signs of tissue restriction (such as tongue or lip ties)
Step 3: Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

Based on everything gathered so far, the doctor will determine whether a diagnosis can be made at this visit or whether additional data is needed.

For children, diagnosis and treatment planning often happen the same day. For adults, the process may require further insight. In many cases, patients go home with a SleepImage Ring to complete an at-home sleep study before moving forward.

If a treatment plan is ready and accepted at this visit, we'll take a full set of diagnostic photos (the ABO Standard Photo Array) and a CBCT scan to capture a complete 3D view of your airway, jaw, and sinuses. If a sleep study is needed, these steps are completed at your follow-up visit once we've reviewed your sleep data. We may also recommend referrals to an ENT or a myofunctional therapist if that's part of your ideal care path.
Step 4: Follow-Up Visit

If your initial visit included a home sleep study, your follow-up is where everything comes together. During this 30-minute appointment, the doctor will review your SleepImage Ring® results, walk you through your formal diagnosis (provided by a sleep-certified physician), and present a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- A review of your results and formal diagnosis
- A 30-minute visit with the doctor
- Your personalized treatment plan
- Additional imaging (photos and CBCT, if not already taken)
If we didn't complete your imaging at the first visit, we'll take photos and a CBCT scan. This follow-up visit ensures you have all the information you need to move forward with confidence - and a clear understanding of the "why" behind your treatment plan.

Take the First Step Toward Clarity

Our diagnostic process is designed to uncover what is really going on, using advanced tools and focused attention to guide next steps with confidence.

Book Your Consultation

Reviews