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Airway Orthodontics

At White Brown Smiles, our commitment to creating healthy smiles goes beyond straight teeth. We focus on comprehensive care that supports overall well-being, which is why we offer airway orthodontics. This specialized approach addresses issues with the development of the jaws and airways to improve breathing, sleep quality, and oral health.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics focuses on the relationship between the structure of the jaws, teeth, and airway. When the jaw or dental arches don’t develop properly, it can lead to narrowed airways, resulting in breathing issues such as snoring, mouth breathing, or even sleep apnea. By guiding proper jaw growth and alignment, airway orthodontics helps open the airway, promoting better breathing and overall health.

Who Can Benefit From Airway Orthodontics?

Both children and adults can benefit from airway orthodontics. Early intervention is particularly effective, as it allows us to guide the growth of the jaws and arches during critical developmental years. Signs that a patient may benefit from airway-focused treatment include:

  • Persistent mouth breathing.
  • Snoring or disrupted sleep.
  • Chronic fatigue or difficulty concentrating.
  • Crowded teeth or jaw misalignment.

For adults, airway orthodontics can address existing issues, improve breathing, and enhance overall quality of life.

How Airway Orthodontics Works

Airway-focused treatment often includes orthodontic appliances, such as expanders or braces, designed to widen the dental arches, promote proper jaw alignment, and create more space for the airway. These treatments not only improve breathing but also enhance the function and aesthetics of the smile.

Patients who undergo airway orthodontic treatment often experience:

  • Improved sleep quality and reduced snoring.
  • Enhanced concentration and energy levels.
  • Relief from jaw discomfort or TMJ symptoms.
  • A healthier, more functional smile.

At White Brown Smiles, we’re dedicated to treating not just the smile but the whole person. If you or your child are experiencing signs of airway issues, schedule a consultation today to learn how airway orthodontics can make a difference in your health and quality of life.

Sleep Apnea Appliances

Sleep apnea can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from your energy levels to your overall health. At White Brown Smiles, we offer custom sleep apnea appliances to help patients breathe easier, sleep better, and wake up feeling refreshed. These appliances are a simple, non-invasive solution for managing mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, often due to the collapse of soft tissues in the throat. This interruption in breathing can cause loud snoring, restless sleep, and frequent awakenings, leaving patients feeling fatigued and unfocused during the day. Untreated sleep apnea can also lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart problems, and reduced oxygen levels.

How Do Sleep Apnea Appliances Work?

Sleep apnea appliances are custom-made oral devices designed to keep your airway open while you sleep. These devices fit comfortably in your mouth, similar to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer, and work by gently repositioning your lower jaw or tongue to prevent airway obstruction.

For patients with mild to moderate OSA, sleep apnea appliances provide a comfortable, effective alternative to CPAP machines. Benefits include:

  • Improved Sleep Quality Reduces snoring and breathing interruptions, leading to more restful sleep.
  • Non-Invasive Treatment A simple, easy-to-wear solution without the need for surgery or complex equipment.
  • Portability Compact and travel-friendly, making it easy to maintain your treatment on the go.
  • Comfortable Fit Custom-designed to fit your mouth for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Who Can Benefit From Sleep Apnea Appliances?

Sleep apnea appliances are ideal for patients who:

  • Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Struggle with the noise or bulkiness of a CPAP machine.
  • Experience snoring or other sleep-disrupting symptoms.

At White Brown Smiles, we take a personalized approach to managing sleep apnea. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your needs and create a custom appliance to help you achieve better sleep and improved health.

Two-Phase Treatment

At White Brown Smiles, we focus on creating beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime. For some children, achieving the best results involves two-phase orthodontic treatment, a proactive approach that addresses jaw and teeth development in two carefully planned stages. This method helps guide growth, correct issues early, and prevent more complex problems later in life.

What Is Two-Phase Treatment?

Two-phase treatment is a comprehensive approach to orthodontic care that involves two distinct phases, each designed to target specific needs during critical periods of growth:

  • Phase One This phase begins during early childhood, typically between the ages of 6 and 10, when the jaw is still developing, and some baby teeth are present. The focus is on addressing issues like overcrowding, bite misalignment, or jaw growth problems. Early intervention can create space for permanent teeth and improve the alignment of the jaws.
  • Phase Two Once all or most of the permanent teeth have erupted, Phase Two begins. This phase focuses on refining the alignment of teeth and ensuring a functional, balanced bite. Braces or aligners are often used to achieve the final results.

Two-phase treatment offers several key benefits for children:

  • Prevents Complex Problems Addressing issues early can reduce the need for extractions, surgery, or more extensive treatments later.
  • Guides Growth Early treatment helps shape the jaws and dental arches, ensuring proper development as the child grows.
  • Enhances Aesthetics and Function Aligning the teeth and jaws early improves both appearance and function, leading to better oral health and a more confident smile.

Who Needs Two-Phase Treatment?

Not every child requires two-phase treatment, but it’s especially beneficial for those with:

Severe crowding or spacing issues.

Bite problems like underbites, overbites, or crossbites.

Jaw alignment concerns or early signs of uneven growth.

The Role of Monitoring

Even if immediate treatment isn’t needed after the initial consultation, regular monitoring allows us to track your child’s growth and step in with Phase One treatment if necessary. This ensures that their smile develops on the right track, avoiding complications down the road.

Two-phase treatment is an investment in your child’s long-term oral health and confidence. Schedule a consultation today at White Brown Smiles to learn more about how this proactive approach can create a strong foundation for your child’s brightest smile!

Laser Treatment

At White Brown Smiles, we use advanced laser technology to enhance orthodontic care, offering minimally invasive solutions that improve outcomes and shorten recovery times. Laser treatments are highly precise, gentle, and effective, making them an excellent choice for addressing soft tissue concerns in the mouth. Two of the most common laser procedures we perform are gingivectomy and treatment for unerupted teeth.

Gingivectomy: Shaping the Gums for a Healthier, More Beautiful Smile

A gingivectomy is a laser procedure used to reshape the gums and remove excess tissue, creating a more balanced and aesthetic gumline. This treatment is especially beneficial for patients with:

  • Excess Gum Tissue Sometimes referred to as a “gummy smile,” this can occur naturally or due to certain orthodontic conditions.
  • Improved Oral Hygiene Removing excess gum tissue makes teeth easier to clean, reducing the risk of gum disease and cavities.

The procedure is quick, virtually painless, and requires minimal recovery time. Laser technology ensures precise tissue removal with less bleeding and discomfort compared to traditional methods. After a gingivectomy, patients often notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of their smile.

Unerupted Teeth: Helping Teeth Emerge Properly

Sometimes, a tooth fails to erupt fully or remains trapped beneath the gumline, which can delay orthodontic treatment or cause complications. Laser treatment can help by removing a small amount of gum tissue to expose the unerupted tooth, allowing it to emerge properly and align with the rest of the teeth.

This procedure is often used in conjunction with braces or other orthodontic appliances to guide the tooth into its correct position. Laser treatment for unerupted teeth is precise and minimally invasive, with benefits including:

  • Quicker Tooth Eruption Encourages teeth to emerge faster, helping to keep your treatment plan on track.
  • Minimized Discomfort Lasers cause less irritation and heal faster compared to traditional methods.
  • Improved Accuracy Allows orthodontists to target only the necessary tissue, preserving surrounding areas.

The Advantages of Laser Treatment

Laser technology offers a host of benefits, including:

  • Minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
  • Faster healing and reduced recovery times.
  • Precise results with less risk of infection or complications.

At White Brown Smiles, we incorporate laser treatment into our comprehensive orthodontic care to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Teeth Whitening

A radiant, white smile can boost your confidence and enhance your appearance. At White Brown Smiles, we offer professional teeth whitening services designed to deliver fast, safe, and effective results. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or just want to refresh your smile, our advanced whitening options — Zoom Whitening and laser whitening with the BIOLASE laser — can help you achieve a brighter, more dazzling smile.

Zoom Whitening: Fast & Effective In-Office Whitening

Zoom Whitening is one of the most popular professional teeth whitening treatments, known for its ability to dramatically whiten teeth in just one session. This in-office treatment uses a specialized whitening gel activated by a blue LED light to break down deep stains and discoloration.

Here’s what you can expect with Zoom Whitening:

  • The procedure takes about an hour, with immediate results of up to 8 shades whiter.
  • A protective barrier is placed over your gums to ensure safety and comfort during the treatment.
  • The whitening gel is applied in multiple sessions, with the light accelerating the whitening process.

Zoom Whitening is ideal for patients looking for quick, dramatic results in a single visit.

Laser Whitening With BIOLASE: Precision & Comfort

For a cutting-edge approach to teeth whitening, we also offer laser whitening using the BIOLASE laser. This advanced technique combines the power of laser energy with professional whitening gel for precise and effective results.

Benefits of BIOLASE Laser Whitening include:

  • Enhanced Precision The BIOLASE laser targets stains with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring even whitening across all teeth.
  • Gentle and Comfortable The laser minimizes sensitivity and enhances comfort compared to traditional whitening methods.
  • Quick Results Like Zoom Whitening, laser whitening delivers noticeable results in a single appointment.

Laser whitening is an excellent choice for patients seeking a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive whitening option.

Which Whitening Option Is Right for You?

Both Zoom Whitening and BIOLASE laser whitening are excellent choices for achieving a brighter smile, but the best option depends on your individual needs, goals, and sensitivity level. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your teeth and recommend the treatment that’s best suited to help you achieve your desired results.