Craniodental Osteopathy

Gentle support for airway development, jaw growth, posture & the whole child.

At Sports and Spinal Group, we bring together osteopathy and dental expertise to help children breathe better, sleep better, regulate better and grow with ease.

Our integrated Craniodental service is delivered collaboratively by Dr Sally Fairbairn (Dentist) and our Craniodental Osteopaths — Jel, Donna and Kate. Supporting your child’s breathing, sleep, posture and emotional wellbeing — from the inside out.

Craniodental Osteopathy helps guide the natural development of the jaw, airway and cranial system using gentle, non-invasive techniques and specialised dental appliances (VIVOS or ALF).
We work slowly, softly and at your child’s pace — with their nervous system, safety and comfort always at the centre.

No needles
No drilling
No invasive procedures
Everything explained gently and clearly

Call us to book your Initial Craniodental Consultation.

Who Craniodental Care Can Support

Families often seek this service when their child experiences:

Mouth breathing or snoring
Sleep difficulties or restlessness
Crowded teeth or jaw growth concerns
Big emotions, overwhelm or sensory sensitivities
Difficulty focusing or behavioural swings
Recurrent headaches or facial tension
Postural issues (forward head posture, low tone)
Tongue tie history
Challenges with speech or swallowing
Chronic congestion or narrow airway signs

If you’ve felt, “Something seems out of balance but I can’t quite pinpoint it,” Craniodental support may help.

Our Whole-Child Approach

Your child’s airway, jaw, posture, sleep and emotional regulation are all connected.

That’s why our Craniodental service blends:

Gentle cranial osteopathy
Dental appliance therapy (VIVOS or ALF)
Breathing and airway support
Nervous system regulation–aware care

We don’t just look at teeth or posture.
We look at your child’s whole system — how they breathe, sleep, grow and feel.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your initial session is a joint appointment with Dr Sally Fairbairn and one of our Craniodental Osteopaths.

Together, they assess:

Jaw and facial development
Bite, tongue posture and airway health
Cranial rhythm, head/neck alignment
Posture and breathing mechanics

For children, sessions are:

Calm
Gentle
Non-invasive
Explained in child-friendly language
Done slowly and with permission every step of the way

Most children describe the session as “relaxing” or “just soft pressure.”

VIVOS & ALF Appliances

We use two light, child-friendly devices that work with the body’s natural growth patterns:

VIVOS

Removable
Often suited for younger or milder airway/jaw development cases
Fewer adjustments required

ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functional)

Soft, flexible wire appliance
Works in harmony with the cranial system
Requires monthly joint dentist + osteopath visits
Excellent for guiding cranial, airway and facial development

Your Treatment Journey

1. Initial Craniodental Consultation
Your journey begins with an initial Craniodental consultation, booked through our front desk. This appointment brings together both the dentist and osteopath to assess how the jaw, teeth, breathing and body are working together.

2. Dental Exam & Digital Scan
Following your initial consultation, you may be referred for a dental examination and digital scan with Su at The Dental Family Beaumaris. This step is essential for accurate appliance planning and, where appropriate, must be completed before an ALF appliance can be ordered.

3. Ongoing Care
Your ongoing care will depend on the type of appliance recommended:

VIVOS programs typically involve regular osteopathy appointments with joint reviews at key milestones (such as 6 and 12 months).
ALF programs involve joint dentist and osteopath appointments at each visit, as the appliance is adjusted regularly.

Most treatment plans run for approximately 12 months, though this can vary depending on individual needs.

4. Device Ordering & Fitting
Once your treatment plan is agreed upon, the appliance is ordered and prepared. Most devices are ready within 3–4 weeks, after which they are fitted and supported as part of your ongoing care.

Why Early Airway & Jaw Support Matters

Supporting cranial and airway development early can positively influence:

Nasal breathing
Sleep quality
Daytime focus and learning
Nervous system regulation
Posture and body alignment
Emotional resilience
Long-term dental and facial development

When children breathe and sleep better, everything becomes easier.

Private Health & Admin

Receipts provided after each session for private health claiming
All clinical records are securely stored
Our admin team organises all communication between your practitioners

You don’t need to chase anything — we coordinate it all for you.

Ready To Begin

We’d love to support your child’s growth, breathing and wellbeing. Call our clinic to book your Initial Craniodental Consultation Your journey begins with one gentle, supportive, integrative appointment.