Connect the dots between Dentofacial Orthopedics, Breathing, and Brain Health

The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain is set to host its inaugural Airway Anatomy Forum, a groundbreaking event bringing together leading experts in dentistry and medicine to explore the intricate connection between mid-face anatomy, functional breathing, and brain health.

View Preliminary Lineup Here

The forum, designed for both newcomers and advanced practitioners, will take place October 24-25, 2025, in Santa Clara, California and promises to be a comprehensive exploration of airway diagnostics and treatment. The two-day program boasts a diverse lineup of speakers, including psychiatrists, ENT surgeons, orthodontists, oral surgeons, chiropractors, and sleep physicians, each offering unique insights into the crucial role of a healthy airway.

Day one will kick off with a review of normal jaw and face development, followed by presentations from Dr. Jason Keifer and Dr. Erik Shipley of Brain Health Hawaii, linking airway obstruction to negative impacts on brain function.

ENT surgeon Dr. Jerome Hester will then delve into common diagnoses and treatment modalities for nasal airway obstruction.

The afternoon sessions will feature orthodontists Dr. Eric Phelps, Dr. Rose Tan, and Dr. Stephanie Tsang, who will demonstrate techniques for diagnosing maxillary deficiencies, explore the design and success of MARPE treatments, and compare the effects of skeletal versus tooth-borne expansion on nasal dimensions.

Chiropractor Dr. George Gertner will conclude the day with a discussion on the importance of atlas positioning and its impact on overall health. The day will culminate in roundtable dinner discussions, allowing attendees to engage directly with speakers and other airway experts.

Day two will feature oral surgeon Dr. Jay Gupta discussing surgically assisted expansion, followed by sleep physician Dr. Anil Rama reviewing home sleep tests and an emphasis on airway muscles and factors contributing to pharyngeal airway collapse.

The focus will then shift to the anterior/posterior relationships of the maxilla and mandible, with orthodontists Dr. Puja Patel and Dr. Stuart Frost presenting on facemask therapy and Herbst functional appliance therapy, respectively.

Oral surgeon Dr. David Lam will then discuss orthognathic surgery for correcting maxillary and mandibular discrepancies. The academic program will conclude with Dr. Gupta's presentation on condylar replacement surgery, featuring the co-treated case of Brooke Darrough, who will join the panel for a live Q&A.

Attendees will then unwind and network with food, drinks, and live music provided by Ryan Sims. The Airway Anatomy Forum promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for healthcare professionals to deepen their understanding of airway anatomy and its profound impact on overall health and well-being.