Airway-focused orthodontic care in Carnegie Hill — where straighter teeth and healthier breathing are treated together.
Park Smiles NYC is not just another Manhattan office offering braces and Invisalign. Our Carnegie Hill practice is an airway-focused orthodontic team that treats the teeth, jaws, and airway as one connected system. Straight teeth matter — but how a child or adult breathes, sleeps, and grows matters just as much, and the two are closely linked.
Airway orthodontics is an approach to orthodontic treatment that evaluates how the jaws, dental arches, and tongue posture affect breathing and sleep, not just how straight the teeth look. It uses tools like palatal expansion and clear aligners to support proper jaw development and a more open airway.
Led by board-certified orthodontist Dr. Helen Choi, our Upper East Side team pairs this airway-centered philosophy with advanced 3D imaging and a full roster of dental specialists under one roof. The result is orthodontic care that considers the whole picture, not only the smile.
From airway-focused treatment to clear aligners and braces, here is the orthodontic care available at our Carnegie Hill office.
Airway orthodontics treats the connection between the bite and the breath. Where traditional braces focus on straightening teeth, airway-focused orthodontics also asks whether the jaws and dental arches have developed enough room for the tongue to rest comfortably and for air to move freely — especially during sleep. Straightening the teeth is part of the work; supporting a healthy airway is the larger goal.

Signs that an airway-related issue may be present include mouth breathing, snoring, restless or poor-quality sleep, a narrow palate or high-arched roof of the mouth, crowded teeth, and daytime fatigue or trouble concentrating. These patterns can appear in children — where early treatment is often most effective because the jaws are still growing — and in adults, who can still benefit from expansion, alignment, and airway-conscious care.
At our Carnegie Hill office, we begin with a digital airway analysis to understand how the jaws, arches, and airway relate to one another. Depending on the findings, treatment may include palatal expansion or MARPE to widen a narrow upper jaw, Invisalign or braces to align the teeth, and guidance on tongue posture. Because prosthodontists and an oral surgeon practice alongside our orthodontists under one roof, more complex cases can be managed collaboratively. When a breathing or sleep disorder is suspected, we coordinate with sleep physicians or ENT specialists, since diagnosing a condition such as obstructive sleep apnea requires a medical evaluation. You can read more about our airway orthodontics program and how it fits into comprehensive care.
Orthodontic treatment straightens the teeth and corrects how the upper and lower jaws meet. Beyond appearance, well-aligned teeth and jaws are easier to clean and distribute biting forces more evenly — and, when treatment is airway-aware, they can also support better breathing and sleep. At our Carnegie Hill office we use clear aligners, braces, and expansion appliances, choosing the right tool for each patient’s anatomy and goals.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up by around age 7. At this age, enough adult teeth and jaw growth are present to catch issues such as crowding, a narrow arch, or a developing bite or airway problem early — often before they become harder to treat. Adults are never too old for orthodontics; many of our Upper East Side patients begin treatment in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Your first visit starts with a conversation about your goals and any concerns, including how you or your child breathes and sleeps. We take 3D images and a digital intraoral scan — no messy impressions — and examine the teeth, jaws, and airway before explaining your options, timelines, and costs in plain language. You will understand exactly what treatment would involve before committing to anything.
Orthodontic fees vary with the complexity of each case. At our Carnegie Hill office, early (Phase I) treatment typically starts around $5,000, while comprehensive treatment generally ranges from about $7,500 to $8,500. We provide an exact figure after your evaluation. To keep care accessible, we offer Cherry “buy now, pay later” financing and work with major insurance plans.

What sets our Carnegie Hill practice apart is the airway-focused lens we bring to every case, combined with the convenience of a true multidisciplinary team. Orthodontists, prosthodontists, and an oral surgeon all practice under one roof, so coordinated care happens in-house rather than through a series of outside referrals. We use advanced 3D imaging and intraoral scanners for precise, comfortable diagnostics, and we see one patient at a time so your appointments are focused and unhurried.

Your care is led by Dr. Hye Yoon “Helen” Choi, a board-certified orthodontist who trained at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Choi treats patients with both traditional orthodontics and Invisalign and brings an airway-conscious approach to diagnosis and treatment planning. She is joined on the orthodontic team by Dr. Max Gordon. When a case calls for additional expertise, patients also have in-house access to prosthodontists Dr. Krystle Kendall, D.M.D. and Dr. Shari Ginsburg, D.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P., and to oral surgeon Dr. Aryeh Mahana — a depth of specialists rarely found in a single Upper East Side practice.
Our office sits at 1175 Park Avenue in Carnegie Hill, about two blocks east of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park and just south of 96th Street. You can reach us on the 6 train or the M1, M2, M3, and M4 buses along Madison and Fifth Avenues, and we are within walking distance of Museum Mile, including the Cooper Hewitt and the Jewish Museum. The 96th Street Q and 6 stations are both close by. Patients in New Jersey can also see our orthodontist in Edison, NJ.
Park Smiles NYC
1175 Park Avenue, Suite 1D
New York, NY 10128
Phone: +1-212-988-6724
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | Closed |
Airway orthodontics evaluates how the jaws, dental arches, and tongue posture affect breathing and sleep — not just how straight the teeth are. Traditional braces focus on aligning the teeth, while airway-focused orthodontics also works to support proper jaw development and room for the airway to function. Many patients receive both straighter teeth and airway-conscious treatment in the same plan.
Common signs include mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, a narrow or high-arched palate, crowded teeth, and daytime fatigue. In children, you might also notice trouble concentrating or frequent mouth breathing during the day. If you recognize these patterns, an evaluation can help determine whether an airway-focused approach makes sense.
Airway-focused orthodontics may help support a more open airway, which can be relevant for snoring and sleep-disordered breathing in appropriate cases. It is not a guaranteed cure, and conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea require a medical diagnosis. When a breathing disorder is suspected, we coordinate with sleep physicians or ENT specialists as part of a complete evaluation.
Both children and adults can benefit. Early treatment is often most effective in children because the jaws are still developing, but adults can still benefit from palatal expansion, alignment, and airway-conscious care. Dr. Choi will assess what is realistic and appropriate for your situation.
We offer airway orthodontics, Invisalign clear aligners, traditional and ceramic braces, lingual braces, palatal expansion and MARPE, accelerated orthodontics, teen and children’s orthodontics, bite correction, and TMJ and sleep apnea orthodontics. Your treatment plan is tailored to your anatomy and goals after a full evaluation.
Most comprehensive orthodontic treatment takes about 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the case. Some minor Invisalign cases can be completed in as little as six months. We provide an estimated timeline after your first visit.
At our Carnegie Hill office, early (Phase I) treatment typically starts around $5,000, and comprehensive treatment generally ranges from about $7,500 to $8,500, varying by case. We offer Cherry “buy now, pay later” financing and work with major insurance plans. You will receive an exact quote after your evaluation.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic visit by around age 7. At this age, we can catch issues such as a narrow arch, crowding, or a developing bite or airway concern early — when treatment is often simpler. An early visit does not always mean early treatment; sometimes we simply monitor growth.
Orthodontic treatment is generally not painful, though it is normal to feel some soreness or pressure for a few days after braces are placed or aligners are changed. This usually eases quickly and can be eased with over-the-counter pain relief. Modern aligners and braces tend to be more comfortable than older systems.
Our office is at 1175 Park Avenue, Suite 1D, New York, NY 10128, in Carnegie Hill on the Upper East Side. We are about two blocks east of the Central Park reservoir and just south of 96th Street, accessible by the 6 train and the M1–M4 buses on Madison and Fifth. The nearest stations are the 96th Street Q and 6 stops.
Ready to learn whether airway-focused orthodontics is right for you or your child? Schedule a consultation at our Carnegie Hill office and Dr. Choi’s team will evaluate your teeth, jaws, and airway and walk you through your options. Call +1-212-988-6724 to book, and ask about Cherry financing to make treatment fit your budget. We look forward to helping you toward a healthier smile and easier breathing.
At Park Smiles NYC in Carnegie Hill, Upper East Side, our mission is to provide every patient with exceptional care, prioritizing comfort, compassion, and excellence at every step.
We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results through personalized attention in a welcoming and supportive environment. Led by Dr. Krystle Kendall, D.M.D., our skilled team offers a full range of top-quality dental services—all conveniently available under one roof in Carnegie Hill.
With Cherry we offer our patients the best “buy now, pay later” solution with high approvals, low cost, and a seamless experience.

Park Smiles NYC is proud to serve the historic Carnegie Hill community. Our office at 1175 Park Avenue is nestled among some of New York’s most iconic landmarks. We are:
Two blocks East of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.
South of 96th Street, making us easily accessible via the 6 Train or the M1, M2, M3, and M4 bus lines on Madison and Fifth Avenue.
Walking distance to Museum Mile, including the Cooper Hewitt and Jewish Museum.
Easily accessible Upper East Side practice, located just two blocks from the 93rd Street entrance to Central Park and a short walk from the 96th St Q and 6 Subway stations.
We look forward to welcoming you to our office and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule your appointment today!
Or Call +1-212-988-6724