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.

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

Highlights of this patient:

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, Illinois
Don’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 –

2. Explain the principles of Airway Prosthodontics, including the significance of tooth position in facial space and its impact on breathing.

3. Recognize signs of airway compromise in both pediatric and adult patients, including atypical wear patterns, bruxism, reflux, and chronic fatigue.