Dr. Christensen is a specialist in orthodontics and considers himself an Airway Centric Orthodontist. He focuses on the airway first and then the straight teeth and beautiful smile follow. At Christensen Orthodontics, we stay at the cutting edge of new orthodontic philosophies and techniques so that we can continue to give you the best possible care for your oral health. One of the newer approaches is that of functional airway centric orthodontics. This paradigm places a particular focus on the health of your airway and facial development. Through functional airway centric orthodontics, we can address airway problems and, by extension, increase the amount of oxygen you receive, reduce the amount of times you wake up every night, and treat issues like sleep apnea. For many years, dentistry – including orthodontics, has focused on dental health, the care and repair of teeth and supporting structures. Due to the rapid growth in sleep and dental sleep medicine, maintaining the airway’s physiological function has shifted into high priority. This allows patients to be treated for airway problems that may be missed or may only be able to receive temporary relief if ignored. More than 50% of patients have an airway issue. This change in focus allows us to look beyond teeth to the nose, throat, muscles of the tongue, face, neck and beyond to the rest of the body. Suddenly, all the dots are connected and we are fixing more than the teeth. We are helping to restore optimal health and oral function to each patient. Dr. Christensen has been treating Sleep Disorder Breathing since becoming an orthodontist in 1999. For children, being trained in bio-progressive orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, he has been able to treat breathing disorders through growth and development. It is a matter of knowing what is causing the airway obstruction. It could be due to a small nasal airway, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or a tongue that drops into the back of the throat. This can be caused by a deficiency of growth of the lower jaw or very narrow upper and lower jaws that can’t accommodate the tongue. Treatment could consist of expansion of the upper and/or lower jaws. It can also include helping the lower jaw to grow forward, which in turn helps to pull the tongue out of the back of the throat. Advancing technologies in growth of infants to adult patients, by use of epigenetics, has made it possible to treat patients in a way never considered in the past. Many patients can now be treated non-surgically and without extractions. Treating the cause of the malocclusion (bad airway, tongue tie) rather than just looking at the teeth. In the last 10 years, Dr. Christensen’s orthodontic practice has incorporated Sleep Medicine as a driving force in treating patients with a comprehensive health focused treatment rather than with traditional orthodontics. In May 2019, Dr. Christensen received Diplomat Status with the ASBA (American Sleep and Breathing Academy) and became one of five orthodontists to become Board Certified in Sleep Medicine. Dr. Christensen attended Creighton University School of Dentistry graduating 3rd in his class in 1993. Completed his AEGD US Army Dental Corp at Fort Carson, Colorado 1993-1994. There he received specialized training in oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics. From 1993-1997 he served as a general dentist at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. He also served as the XO (Executive Officer) of the 464th Medical Company during Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia Conflict). 1997-1999 he did his orthodontic residency at the University of Louisville, Kentucky receiving a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and Master’s Degree in Oral Biology with his thesis, Treating Class III Malocclusions in Children with Expansion and Facemask Protraction. 1999-2001 served as Chief of Orthodontics at the Ft. Bragg Bravo Program. From 2001 to present he has practiced in Lewiston, Grangeville, Orofino and Moscow. In the last 10 years, his orthodontic practice has incorporated Sleep Medicine as a driving force in treating patients in a more comprehensive health focused treatment rather than traditional orthodontics. May 2019, Dr. Christensen received Diplomat Status with the ASBA (American Sleep and Breathing Academy) and became the first orthodontist in Idaho to become Board Certified in Sleep Medicine.
