James VandeBerg DDS, MS Naurine Shah BDS, MS
At first glance, Prosper Trail Orthodontics looks like the kind of friendly neighborhood practice you’d expect, with warm smiles and kids comparing braces colors. But step inside, and you’ll discover something extraordinary. Under the leadership of Dr. James VandeBerg and the recent addition of Dr. Naurine Shah, the practice is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to orthodontics that goes far beyond straightening teeth.
At Prosper Trail Orthodontics, children and adults are finding better sleep, improved focus, and healthier lives — simply by learning to breathe the right way.
That’s where Dr. Shah comes in. A certified orofacial myologist with more than 15 years of experience in airway orthodontics and myofunctional therapy, she brings a whole new dimension to the practice. While Dr. VandeBerg continues to provide traditional orthodontics with braces and aligners, Dr. Shah focuses on the airway. She helps patients of all ages overcome challenges with sleep, speech, and breathing that affect their daily lives.
“There’s been a growing buzz in both medicine and dentistry about airway health,” Dr. VandeBerg says. “Many kids who struggle with sleep, snore, grind their teeth, or show signs of ADHD are dealing with airway issues. The same is true for adults who are tired all day or can’t tolerate a CPAP machine. This type of treatment can truly change lives.”
Dr. Shah’s approach blends myofunctional therapy, palate expanders, and tongue-tie releases with orthodontic expertise. For some children, early treatment can mean better sleep, improved speech, and sharper focus in school. Adults, too, can find relief from years of exhaustion. “I want people to know they don’t have to go through life exhausted,” Dr. VandeBerg says.
A typical program may include 10 visits over three months, with gentle muscle exercises for the tongue and lips that encourage healthier breathing and swallowing. Some patients also benefit from tongue-tie release procedures, performed right in the office by Prosper Trail’s oral surgeon.
“Very few practices offer all of this under one roof — the orthodontist, the oral surgeon, and now airway treatment,” Dr. VandeBerg says. “We’re proud to serve Prosper families so they don’t have to drive long distances for this kind of care.”
Perhaps what’s most exciting is the ripple effect these treatments can have on families. Parents who once lay awake listening to their child grind their teeth can now rest easier. Adults who thought exhaustion was simply a part of life are finding renewed energy. “When you see a child go from restless and tired to focused and thriving, or an adult finally able to breathe and sleep well, it’s incredibly rewarding,” Dr. VandeBerg says.
At its heart, Prosper Trail Orthodontics is still about relationships and treating patients like family. “Our patients know we’ll take care of them, whatever their needs,” Dr. VandeBerg says. “They come in knowing they’re not just a number, and we love that we can be a bright spot in their day.” With Dr. Shah on board, that bright spot just got a little bigger.
