Meet Dr. Krystle Dean-Duru

In 2018, I joined my mother in practice at Ashburn Children’s Dentistry. That same year, we became two of the first five dentists in the world to be certified in Babylase therapy — a milestone that set the direction for everything that followed.

At Womb 2 Grow Wellness, my clinical scope extends well beyond pediatric dentistry. I perform laser frenectomies for children ages four and up through adulthood, including teens and adults who were never properly evaluated or whose tongue and lip tie restrictions were dismissed when they were young. Adult tongue tie is real, it is underdiagnosed, and it affects breathing, sleep, posture, jaw tension, and quality of life in ways most providers never connect back to the mouth. If you or your child is in that category — you are in the right place.

My clinical work is also deeply rooted in orofacial myofunctional therapy, craniofacial growth guidance, pediatric airway, and whole-body developmental care. Together with Dr. Lynda, I work within the GROWERS Framework — our shared clinical methodology that guides how we see and support every patient across Growth, Respiration, Oral Function, Whole-Body Health, Environment, Rest, and Sleep. It is the philosophy that connects everything we do, from infancy through adulthood.

What drives me is the patient who has been everywhere and has not gotten answers. The child whose behavior struggles are rooted in a sleep-disordered airway. The teenager whose orthodontic treatment keeps relapsing because no one addressed the tongue. The adult who has been managing jaw pain for a decade and never knew why. These are not mysteries — they are patterns with origins. And origins can be addressed.

Outside of the practice, I am deeply committed to professional development, speaking, and education. I am a board-certified specialist in pediatric dentistry (ABPD), a VDA Fellow, and a proud member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Laser Study Club, Breathe Institute Ambassadors, ALF Interface Academy Foundation for Airway Health, Sleep and Airway Study Club, Foundation for Airway Health, Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences, American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry, and the International Association of Orofacial Myology.

When I am not in the practice, you will find me spending time with family and friends, growing in my faith, dancing, learning boxing, traveling, and cheering loudly for Washington DC sports teams.