Best Airway Orthodontist in New Orleans, LA
Hamada Orthodontics is the airway orthodontist we recommend in the New Orleans area. Dr. Allison Hamada sees patients at her flagship office on Metairie Road in Metairie, about 15 minutes from the Garden District, and at two St. Charles Parish offices in Destrehan and Luling.
The practice treats the jaw and palate side of breathing problems. Kids can get a palatal expander while they are still growing, and teens and adults can be evaluated for MARPE, a way to widen the upper jaw without surgery. Dr. Hamada trained at LSU School of Dentistry and completed her orthodontic residency at Columbia University.
If your child snores most nights, sleeps with their mouth open, or wakes up tired after a full night in bed, you may already have searched for answers. Many New Orleans parents start with the pediatrician or the dentist. The jaw and palate are one piece of the picture, and an exam can show whether they are part of yours.
Adults ask the same question about snoring, jaw pain or a bite that never felt right. The first visit is free, and you do not need a referral.
Not sure yet? Take the 1-minute airway quiz..
Why Hamada Orthodontics is on this list
Every practice on this guide has to pass the same three checks. Here is how Hamada Orthodontics did.
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Patients praise the care
Parents write about better sleep, more room for adult teeth and kids who breathe easier. Here are three of the Google reviews.
With her expanded jaw and open airway she is sleeping through the night again and in turn functioning better throughout the days.
Sabrina N. on Google Our kids not only have great teeth but they can also breathe better!!!
Justin B. on Google Dr. Hamada is so well read, researched, and skilled. She and her team genuinely care for each of their patients.
Allison D. on Google None of these reviews proves what a treatment will do for your child. They show what families say happened, in their own words.
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The practice explains its airway work
Hamada Orthodontics has its own pages on airway-centric orthodontics, sleep and breathing, growth guidance, and TMJ and myofunctional care. They say what orthodontics can and cannot do. The practice states that sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, and that it works with ENTs and myofunctional therapists when the cause sits outside orthodontics.
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The doctor’s training can be checked
The American Association of Orthodontists locator lists Dr. Hamada as a graduate of Columbia University’s orthodontic program and the LSU dental program. Check it on the AAO locator.
Ready to see if your child’s jaw is part of the picture?
The doctor at Hamada Orthodontics
Dr. Allison Hamada
Orthodontist. LSU School of Dentistry, orthodontic residency at Columbia University, practicing since 2004. Read her full background.
Dr. Hamada personally leads care at every visit. Her team includes treatment coordinator Gina, lead orthodontic assistant Chelsey and front office coordinator Taylor. She also founded The Airway Exchange Group, a study club where local dental and medical providers work together on airway care.
Meet Dr. Hamada in person.
What an airway orthodontist does
An airway orthodontist looks at how the jaws grow and how that growth affects breathing, sleep and the bite. Straight teeth are part of the goal, not the whole goal.
In practice that means checking how wide the upper jaw is, where the tongue rests, whether a child breathes through the nose at rest, and how the upper and lower jaws line up.
Dr. Hamada does not diagnose sleep apnea. A physician or sleep specialist does that. Her part is finding the jaw and bite problems that can contribute to poor breathing, and treating the ones orthodontics can help.
Why jaw and palate shape matter
The roof of the mouth is also the floor of the nose. A few things can narrow it:
- A narrow upper jaw or palate, which leaves less room for the tongue and the nasal airway
- Mouth breathing that has gone on for years, because a tongue resting low does not help shape the upper jaw
- A bite that does not line up, such as a crossbite or a recessed lower jaw
- Crowded teeth with no room to come in
- Tonsils, adenoids or allergies, which are medical causes that need a doctor
The first two are where early orthodontic care can help most. The last one is why Dr. Hamada works with your child’s doctors. The practice explains its approach on its airway orthodontics page.
Who else may be involved
Airway problems rarely have one cause. Dr. Hamada works with:
- Your pediatrician or family doctor
- An ENT, if tonsils, adenoids or allergies may play a role
- A myofunctional therapist, for tongue and breathing habits
- A sleep specialist, if a sleep study makes sense
Signs you or your child may need an airway evaluation
Signs in children
Sleep and breathing
- Snoring or noisy breathing most nights
- Mouth breathing, day or night
- Restless sleep, tossing and turning
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Bedwetting past the age you would expect
Daytime
- Waking up tired after a full night in bed
- Trouble focusing at school
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Constant congestion or allergies
- Morning headaches
Teeth and jaw
- Crowded or narrow looking teeth
- A crossbite or an underbite
- A small jaw or a recessed chin
- Thumb sucking past age 5
- A dentist mentioning a narrow upper jaw
Signs in adults
Adults often notice loud snoring, waking up with jaw pain or headaches, clenching or worn teeth, TMJ clicking, or a bite that shifted after braces. Some have been told their airway is narrow or that they may need CPAP.
Any one of these can have another cause, and none of them means your child needs treatment. A free exam sorts out which ones matter.
If you ever see pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep, call your doctor first. Trouble breathing while awake needs urgent medical care.
Quick check: is it worth asking about airway?
Answer yes or no for your child, or for yourself. This quiz cannot diagnose anything. An exam can.
Palatal expanders for kids and MARPE for adults
Palatal expanders for children
A palatal expander gradually widens a narrow upper jaw while the bones are still growing. That makes room for adult teeth and adds room to the floor of the nose.
Not every child who breathes through the mouth needs one. Mouth breathing can come from allergies, large tonsils or adenoids, habit, or a narrow jaw. An expander only helps when the jaw is part of the problem.
- A free first visit with Dr. Hamada, including a 3D scan
- A plan that explains what she sees and what she would suggest, including watching and waiting
- An expander placed while the jaw is still growing, when the exam shows it fits
- Braces or monitoring afterward, depending on your child
- A visit with your pediatrician or ENT if something outside orthodontics may be involved
Read how the practice explains palate expanders in Metairie.
MARPE for adults
MARPE stands for miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. Small temporary anchors in the roof of the mouth let a teen or adult widen the upper jaw without surgery. Dr. Hamada places them in her office.
It is not right for every adult. Anatomy, dental health, goals and the findings of the exam guide the decision, and she will tell you if it is not a fit.
Adults with snoring, jaw pain, or crowding that came back after braces may be candidates. After expansion, braces or Invisalign finish the bite.
The practice has a page on palatal expanders for adults.
How the practice decides if treatment is needed
Hamada Orthodontics says not every orthodontic case is an airway case. The exam sorts out what needs attention now and what can wait.
- A growing child with a narrow upper jaw, crowding or a crossbite may be a candidate for early treatment.
- A child who snores or breathes through the mouth may be sent to an ENT or a myofunctional therapist first.
- A teen or adult with a narrow palate may be evaluated for MARPE.
- Someone who only wants straighter teeth gets braces or Invisalign, with the same airway and jaw check.
- Someone with jaw pain or clenching may be evaluated for TMJ and myofunctional care.
The deciding step is the exam: teeth, bite, jaw growth and airway, with 3D imaging when it is needed.
When airway orthodontics is not the answer
Snoring and mouth breathing do not always start in the jaw. Tonsils, adenoids and allergies are medical causes, and treating the jaw will not fix them.
If the exam points that way, Dr. Hamada says so and refers you to the right doctor. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, usually with a sleep study.
What happens at your first visit
Hamada Orthodontics offers a free first visit at all three offices, and no referral is needed.
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You tell the team what you are noticing: snoring, mouth breathing, crowding, jaw pain, and the questions you have been saving.
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Dr. Hamada examines the teeth, bite, jaw growth and airway. The practice uses digital scans instead of impressions, and 3D imaging when it helps.
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She explains what she sees and what she would suggest: treatment now, watching growth, or a visit with another specialist. You hear the cost before anything starts, and same-day starts are available for qualifying patients.
Bring a short list of what you have noticed, and any past orthodontic or medical records. The first visit usually takes about an hour. The practice explains it on its first visit page.
What patients say about Hamada Orthodontics
Hamada Orthodontics has reviews on Google, and you can read them on Google. Here are four of them.
Amazing staff. Amazing experience. Highly recommend!
An Orthodontist who truly cares about your children and their health!!
I’m so happy with my own experience at Hamada Orthodontics that it’s my only consideration for my kids, and I think that speaks volumes!
I was very satisfied with my experiences with Dr. Hamada. My teeth turned out great, I definitely recommend going through Hamada for your orthodontic needs.
Ready to see what an airway evaluation can tell you?
Where to find Hamada Orthodontics
Hamada Orthodontics, Metairie123 Metairie RdMetairie, LA 70005Phone: (985) 725-0509
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM
- Free parking lot in front of the Metairie office
All three offices share the same phone number and hours.
Hamada Orthodontics, Metairie123 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005
Hamada Orthodontics, Destrehan131 Ormond Center Ct, Destrehan, LA 70047
Hamada Orthodontics, Luling118 Lakewood Dr, Luling, LA 70070
Where Hamada Orthodontics patients come from
Hamada Orthodontics names these areas on its own website. Pick the office that is closest to you, or call and the team will help you choose.
Orleans Parish
Lakeview, Mid-City, Uptown, the Garden District and Gentilly. Families from Orleans Parish choose the Metairie office, right off I-10, and Tulane and Loyola students visit it too.
Jefferson Parish
Metairie, Old Metairie, Bucktown, Elmwood, River Ridge, Harahan, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey and Marrero. The Metairie office is the closest for most of these.
St. Charles Parish and the River Parishes
Destrehan, St. Rose, Norco, New Sarpy, Montz, Hahnville, Boutte, Paradis, Des Allemands, Killona, Luling and LaPlace. The Destrehan and Luling offices are closest.
The Northshore
Mandeville, Covington and Slidell. The practice has no Northshore office, so families plan their visits to Metairie. Ask the team about appointment options and check bridge and traffic conditions before you drive.
Houma, Thibodaux and the bayou parishes
Houma, Gray, Schriever, Bayou Blue, Raceland, Thibodaux, Lockport, Larose, Cut Off and Chackbay. The Luling office is closest, about 45 minutes from Houma, 50 from Thibodaux and 35 from Lockport.
Coming from farther away
If you are traveling from outside the New Orleans area or from another state, tell the team where you are coming from when you call. They can help you choose an office and plan your visits. Ask for the expected visit schedule before you start.
Airway orthodontist questions in New Orleans
Is there an airway orthodontist in New Orleans?
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Hamada Orthodontics is the practice we recommend. Its offices are in Metairie, Destrehan and Luling rather than in Orleans Parish itself. Metairie is about 15 minutes from the Garden District, and families from Lakeview, Mid-City, Uptown and Gentilly choose the Metairie office.
Does an airway orthodontist treat sleep apnea?
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No. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician or sleep specialist, usually with a sleep study. Dr. Hamada looks for jaw and bite problems that can contribute to poor breathing and sleep, and she coordinates with your doctors. You can read how the practice describes its sleep and breathing treatments.
Which office should I choose?
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Families from New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and the Northshore plan their visits to Metairie. Families from St. Charles Parish choose Destrehan or Luling, and families from Houma and Thibodaux see Dr. Hamada in Luling. All three offices share one phone number, so the team can help you pick.
How much does airway orthodontic treatment cost?
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It depends on what you or your child needs, from monitoring to an expander to full braces. The practice lists general ranges for the New Orleans area of $3,000 to $7,000 for metal braces, $4,000 to $7,000 for Invisalign and $2,000 to $4,000 for early treatment. You get the exact cost at the free consultation, before anything starts. The practice accepts most major dental insurance plans and offers monthly payment plans.
Is the first visit really free?
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Yes. The first visit at all three offices is free, with no obligation. It includes an exam by Dr. Hamada, plus 3D imaging or digital scans when they are needed.
Do I need a referral?
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No. You can book directly. If your dentist, pediatrician or ENT sent you, the team is glad to keep them in the loop.
When should my child be seen?
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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check by age 7. Dr. Hamada sees children as young as 5 or 6 when there are signs such as snoring or mouth breathing, and symptoms matter more than age. Read about the practice’s early treatment for kids.
Does mouth breathing always mean my child needs an expander?
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No. Mouth breathing can come from allergies, large tonsils or adenoids, habit, or a narrow upper jaw. An expander only helps when the jaw is part of the problem, and the exam shows whether it is.
Can adults get airway orthodontic treatment?
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Yes. Adults with snoring, jaw pain, or crowding that came back after braces may be candidates for MARPE, braces or Invisalign. Expansion is not right for every adult, and the exam shows whether it is right for you. The practice also has a page on adult snoring treatment.
Does the practice also do regular braces and Invisalign?
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Yes. Dr. Hamada uses Pitts21 self-ligating metal braces, which move teeth with lighter forces, and offers clear braces and Invisalign, including Invisalign Teen. Every patient gets the same airway and jaw check, so nothing gets missed.
I live outside the New Orleans area. Is the drive worth it?
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The practice says to tell the team where you are traveling from when you call, so they can help you choose an office and a time. Before you commit, ask for the expected visit schedule, so you know how often you will make the trip. From Houma, the Luling office is about 45 minutes away, and from Thibodaux about 50.
Still have a question?
Start with a free consultation
If you have been wondering whether your child’s snoring, mouth breathing or crowded teeth share one cause, the first visit at Hamada Orthodontics is free and no referral is needed.
Not in the New Orleans area? Find an airway orthodontist near you, or see all Louisiana practices.
Meet the Hamada Orthodontics team
Dr. Hamada and the team share office moments and short explainers on the practice’s Facebook page. Here are six of them.