Are you considering the airway in your treatment planning?

Could centric relation (CR) be compromising your patient’s breathing?

When you open the vertical dimension, are you making the airway better—or worse?

Welcome to another AES 2026 series episode, this time with LEGEND Dr. Jeff Rouse as he joins Jaz in this eye-opening episode to explore how airway, aesthetics, and function are deeply interconnected—especially in prosthodontics.

They discuss key clinical scenarios like vertical dimension changes, examining how your choices may impact the airway—sometimes in ways you didn’t expect. With practical insights and examples, this episode will help you make smarter, airway-conscious decisions that elevate both your functional and aesthetic outcomes.

https://youtu.be/-Ut-qme7Vcg

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Protrusive Dental Pearl: Plan your breaks 12 months in advance to avoid burnout and ensure quality time with your loved ones. Prioritize rest and connection before reaching exhaustion—your body, mind, and heart will thank you.

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways

Airway health is crucial in dentistry, impacting aesthetics and function.

Understanding airway issues can lead to better treatment outcomes for patients.

Breastfeeding plays a significant role in childhood development and airway health.

Interdisciplinary approaches are essential for effective adult treatment.

Aesthetics and function are key factors in airway prosthodontics.

Most patients are unaware of their airway issues until they are addressed.

Early intervention in childhood can prevent future airway problems.

Combining orthodontics and prosthodontics can enhance patient care.

Airway management is crucial for overall patient health.

A great bite is not just about teeth alignment.

Pathway wear can indicate deeper dental issues.

Vertical dimension changes can negatively impact airway.

Understanding joint positions is essential in treatment planning.

Continuous education is vital for modern dental practices.

Highlights of this patient:

02:22  Protrusive Dental Pearl

04:34 Interview with Dr. Jeff Rouse Begins

09:05 Understanding Airway Prosthodontics

15:58 The Role of Cone Beam CT Scans

17:58 Treating Children and Early Interventions

24:50 Addressing Adult Airway Issues

29:43 Multidisciplinary Approach in Dentistry

31:46 Patient Transformations and Airway Focus

34:42 Understanding Pathway Wear

41:32 Impact of Vertical Dimension on Airway

48:55 Exploring Different Occlusion Philosophies

51:34 A Sneak Peek at AES 2026: Dental Wear Patterns Of The Airway Patient

55:25 Upcoming Events and Resources

Explore the world of sleep disordered breathing with Prof. Ama Johal in PDP033: "Airway – Dentistry’s Elephant in the Room."

🎓 Join the world’s leading organization dedicated to occlusion, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and restorative excellence — the American Equilibration Society (AES).

🗓️ AES Annual Meeting 2026 – “The Evolution of the Oral Physician”📍 February 18–19, 2026 · Chicago, IllinoisDon't miss Dr. Jeff Rouse as featured speaker, presenting on "Dental Wear Patterns Of The Airway Patient"

🎓 Learn more with Dr. Jeff Rouse on The Spear Education Online

#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment #BreadandButterDentistry

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes A, B and C.

AGD Subject Code: 730 ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL DIAGNOSIS, ORAL PATHOLOGY (Sleep medicine)

Aim: To deepen clinicians’ understanding of airway prosthodontics and empower them to recognize airway-related dental issues across all age groups.

Dentists will be able to -

Differentiate between anatomical airway dysfunction and sleep-disordered breathing, and understand the unique role of dentistry in addressing each.

2.