Jen & Board Certified Airway Orthodontist & Owner of Foundations Orthodontics: Dr. Renee Moran

Send a textOn today’s episode of The Ripple Effect, host Jen McNerney sits down with board-certified orthodontist and airway-focused provider Dr. Renee Moran, founder of Foundations Orthodontics. Together, they explore the powerful connection between jaw development, nasal breathing, sleep quality, and whole-body health—and why early airway screening can change everything for kids and adults.In This Episode, We Cover    •    Why orthodontics should be whole-health care (not just straight teeth)    •    Dr. Moran’s personal jaw surgery story + the moment she realized she could finally breathe    •    Signs of airway restriction in kids vs adults (and why “tired” can look like hyperactive)    •    Common red flags: allergic shiners, bedwetting, scalloped tongue, gummy smile, long/narrow facial growth    •    How early to screen kids (and why the growth window matters by around age 8)    •    How CBCT/3D imaging helps assess airway + skeletal structure (“teeth can lie”)    •    Why a team approach matters: myofunctional therapy + bodywork during expansion    •    MARPE/SARPE + the shift toward slower, more comfortable expansion protocols    •    The benefits of custom 3D-planned braces (precision, predictability, fewer visits)    •    Tooth extractions: when they’re helpful vs when they’re a red flag    •    Tonsils/adenoids: why Dr. Moran often recommends expansion first, ENT second    •    Genetics vs environment: what actually shapes airway and jaw development    •    Adults + airway treatment: how options have evolved and may be less invasive than you expectGuest BioDr. Renee Moran is a board-certified orthodontist and airway-focused provider, and the founder of Foundations Orthodontics. She trained at the University of Colorado on an Air Force scholarship, served as a military dentist, completed her orthodontic residency with a master’s degree, and was named Resident of the Year. Dr. Moran’s approach prioritizes airway, function, and long-term stability—helping patients breathe, sleep, and thrive.Connect with Dr. Renee Moran / Foundations OrthodonticsWebsite: foundations-orthodontics.com(There is also a “Foundations Orthodontics” in Georgia—be sure you’re on the Colorado site with the dash!)Find your host, Jen McNerney:https://jenmcnerney.com/https://linktr.ee/heartrootedhealinghttps://www.facebook.com/jenslpNEThttps://www.instagram.com/heartrootedhealing/https://www.tiktok.com/@heart.rooted.jen