Pana Orthodontics

Pana Orthodontics Dr. Marc Pana uses the latest state of the art technology and equipment. We take pride in providing

WHY I DON’T RUSH ADENOID SURGERY IN VERY YOUNG CHILDRENI’ve seen children have their adenoids removed at age 2 or 3, onl...
09/02/2026

WHY I DON’T RUSH ADENOID SURGERY IN VERY YOUNG CHILDREN

I’ve seen children have their adenoids removed at age 2 or 3, only to have significant adenoid tissue return later.

If symptoms are manageable, I believe it’s worth discussing with your ENT whether monitoring is appropriate rather than automatically rushing into surgery.

And remember—the adenoids are only one part of the airway.

A narrow upper jaw and high palate can also contribute to reduced nasal airflow. When appropriate, expanding the upper jaw the right way can increase space in the nasal cavity and help improve nasal breathing.

Sometimes improving the skeletal foundation can make a meaningful difference while a child continues to grow.

But if your child has significant airway obstruction, sleep apnea, chronic infections, or severe symptoms, earlier ENT treatment may absolutely be necessary.

Treat the child. Treat the symptoms. And look at the entire airway—not just the adenoids.

It’s all in the details. ✨Orthodontic treatment doesn’t always end when the teeth are straight. Sometimes the finishing ...
09/01/2026

It’s all in the details. ✨

Orthodontic treatment doesn’t always end when the teeth are straight. Sometimes the finishing touch is subtle enamel contouring—gently refining uneven edges and tooth shapes to create a smoother, more balanced smile.

Small refinements can make teeth look polished, refreshed, and almost brand new—without changing what makes the smile unique.

At Pana Orthodontics, we don’t just straighten teeth. We finish the smile.

Thought for Parents 💙If you suspect your child may have an airway problem, don’t wait.Mouth breathing. Snoring. Restless...
08/31/2026

Thought for Parents 💙

If you suspect your child may have an airway problem, don’t wait.

Mouth breathing. Snoring. Restless sleep. Grinding. Dark circles. Open-mouth posture. Daytime fatigue.

These can be signs that your child isn’t breathing as well as they should.

As our children grow, breathing, sleep, facial growth, and development are all connected. The sooner an airway concern is identified and properly addressed, the better opportunity we have to support healthy growth.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, get it evaluated.

Early = Easier.

At Pana Orthodontics, we look beyond straight teeth. We evaluate how your child is breathing, growing, and developing.

📍 Pana Orthodontics | Aliso Viejo
📞 949-360-0225
Complimentary consultations

🦷 WHAT RETAINERS CAN — AND CAN’T — DORetainers have one primary job: to help maintain your teeth in their corrected posi...
08/29/2026

🦷 WHAT RETAINERS CAN — AND CAN’T — DO

Retainers have one primary job: to help maintain your teeth in their corrected positions after orthodontic treatment.

But retainers cannot eliminate harmful oral habits.

👅 Tongue thrusting can continue to place pressure on the teeth and may contribute to an open bite returning — even when retainers are being worn.

😬 Grinding and clenching (bruxism) can place tremendous forces on a retainer, causing excessive wear, cracks, distortion, or breakage.

A broken retainer does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the retainer. Sometimes it is a sign that significant forces are being placed on it.

That’s why long-term orthodontic stability isn’t just about wearing a retainer. We also need to identify and address the habits and forces that can work against the orthodontic result.

At Pana Orthodontics, we look beyond straight teeth. We look at the whole picture — bite, airway, tongue function, oral habits, and long-term stability.

It’s Bigger Than a Smile.

📍 Pana Orthodontics | Aliso Viejo
📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com

The Bigger PictureYour child’s smile is important—but there is so much more happening behind the teeth.Mouth breathing. ...
08/28/2026

The Bigger Picture

Your child’s smile is important—but there is so much more happening behind the teeth.

Mouth breathing. Snoring. Restless sleep. Grinding. Bedwetting. Forward head posture. A narrow palate. Poor tongue posture.

Individually, these signs can be easy to overlook. Together, they may tell a bigger story.

When I evaluate a child, I’m not simply asking, “Are the teeth straight?” I’m looking at how they breathe, how their jaws and face are developing, how their tongue functions, and how all of these pieces may be connected.

That’s why so many parents tell me after their child’s consultation:

“Now everything makes sense.”

Early evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment. It means understanding what’s happening while your child is still growing—and while we may have more options.

It’s Bigger Than a Smile.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
📍 Aliso Viejo

Bedwetting Can Be an Unexpected Airway ClueParents are often surprised when I ask:“Does your child still wet the bed?”Be...
08/26/2026

Bedwetting Can Be an Unexpected Airway Clue

Parents are often surprised when I ask:

“Does your child still wet the bed?”

Bedwetting can have many causes, but research has found an association between sleep-disordered breathing and nighttime bedwetting in some children.

When a child also has signs such as mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a narrow upper jaw, I want to understand the bigger picture.

This is why my consultations go beyond straight teeth. I evaluate airway-related signs, breathing, sleep, tongue posture, facial growth, jaw development, and the bite.

Parents often leave saying:

“Now everything makes sense.”

Sometimes symptoms that seem completely unrelated may be pieces of the same puzzle.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
📍 Aliso Viejo

Forward Head Posture Can Be a ClueDoes your child frequently sit or stand with their head pushed forward and shoulders r...
08/25/2026

Forward Head Posture Can Be a Clue

Does your child frequently sit or stand with their head pushed forward and shoulders rounded?

Sometimes children instinctively change their head and neck position in an effort to make breathing feel easier. When I see forward head posture together with signs like mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, or a narrow upper jaw, I want to understand why.

This is why my orthodontic evaluation goes beyond straight teeth. I look at the relationship between breathing, jaw development, facial growth, tongue posture, and overall posture.

Parents often tell me after their child’s consultation:

“Now all of these things finally make sense.”

The signs may seem unrelated—until someone connects them.

Look beyond the teeth. Look at the whole child.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
Follow us

Children are designed to breathe through their nose, not routinely through their mouth.If your child frequently sleeps w...
08/23/2026

Children are designed to breathe through their nose, not routinely through their mouth.

If your child frequently sleeps with their mouth open or walks around with their lips apart, ask why.

It may be associated with nasal obstruction, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, a narrow upper jaw, tongue posture, or other airway-related factors that deserve evaluation.

Parents often tell me after their child’s consultation:

“Now everything makes sense.”

That’s because when I evaluate a child, I’m not simply looking for crooked teeth. I’m looking at facial growth, jaw development, tongue posture, breathing patterns, and the airway-related signs that connect the dots.

Don’t just close the mouth. Find out why it’s open.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
Follow us

Why Age 7 MattersWhy should your child have an orthodontic evaluation around age 7—even if their teeth look pretty strai...
08/22/2026

Why Age 7 Matters

Why should your child have an orthodontic evaluation around age 7—even if their teeth look pretty straight?

Because when I evaluate a child, I’m looking at much more than teeth.

I evaluate:

• Jaw and facial development
• Bite and dental eruption
• Narrow or high-arched palate
• Tongue posture
• Mouth-breathing patterns
• Signs that may suggest an airway concern

One of the comments I hear most often from parents after a consultation is:

“Now everything makes sense.”

They begin connecting things they may have noticed for years—mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, grinding, dark circles, tongue posture, or certain patterns of facial and jaw development.

That’s why I believe who evaluates your child matters. My consultations look beyond straight teeth to understand the bigger picture of your child’s growth, development, and airway health.

Early evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment.

It means understanding what’s happening while your child is still growing.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
Follow us

Many parents hear their child grinding their teeth at night and assume it’s simply a dental habit.But nighttime grinding...
08/20/2026

Many parents hear their child grinding their teeth at night and assume it’s simply a dental habit.

But nighttime grinding can sometimes occur alongside snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, or sleep-disordered breathing.

If your child grinds their teeth AND has other signs of poor-quality sleep, it may be worth looking deeper.

At Pana Orthodontics, we don’t just look at the teeth—we look at the jaws, facial growth, tongue posture, and airway-related signs too.

Grinding may be something you hear. The reason behind it may be something you can’t see.

📞 949-360-0225
🌐 panaorthodontics.com
Follow us

Address

26731 Aliso Creek Road
Aliso Viejo, CA
92656

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pana Orthodontics posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Pana Orthodontics:

Shortcuts

Share

Category