Orthodontic Appliances
What Are Orthodontic Appliances?
Sometimes, a child's smile needs a bit of an extra push than what braces and Invisalign® clear aligners can deliver. Our Boerne dental office offers orthodontic appliances for patients to wear before, during, and after treatment to modify how the jaws are set as they grow through adolescence. Using these orthodontic appliances, we can establish a harmonious bite and tooth relationship, setting the stage for effective braces or Invisalign treatment. Your child can then benefit from a different orthodontic appliance to maintain the results of treatment.
Our Wide Array of Orthodontic Appliances to Use in Combination With Braces or Invisalign
A rapid palatal expander may be suggested for patients with a narrow upper jaw. This appliance is used in orthodontics to widen the upper jaw, creating space for the upper teeth. It is attached to the upper molars and gradually expands at a rate of 0.5 millimeters per day. This widening helps address crowding, crossbites, and other orthodontic concerns. Rapid palatal expanders are typically used in children, but teens and adults can also use them.
Headgear is an orthodontic treatment primarily used to correct severe overbites and underbites in children. It exerts pressure on the jaws and teeth as the child grows to promote proper alignment. Only 2% of patients will need headgear to achieve an aligned bite. The device is typically worn for a specified number of hours each day or night, as prescribed by our orthodontists, Dr. Richard Hulme and Dr. Andrew Ray.
Retainers are orthodontic devices used to maintain the corrected alignment of a patient's teeth after braces or Invisalign treatment. Our San Antonio, TX, offices custom-make retainers by taking impressions of each patient's properly aligned smile with an iTero digital scanner. Retainers will prevent the teeth from shifting back to their original unaligned positions, keeping the patient's smile beautiful for years to come.
Which Concerns Can Orthodontic Appliances Prevent and Correct?
Headgear and palatal expanders are ideal orthodontic appliances for children or teens experiencing initial signs of the following dental concerns:
- Crowded teeth
- Overlapping teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Overbite
- Underbite
Treatment Starts at 8 Years Old Explore Orthodontic Appliances During a Consultation
To prevent issues like overbites, underbites, and more, we recommend parents bring their child into our office for an initial consultation at eight years old. If Dr. Hulme suspects your child's jaw and tooth growth may be interrupted by the concerns above, he may recommend an orthodontic appliance to modify the way the jaws are growing. Rather than correcting problems once they are finalized, Dr. Hulme's goal with orthodontic appliance treatment is to prevent problems from occurring altogether.
Explore your treatment options at one of our San Antonio-area offices. Request a consultation online or call us at:
(210) 871-1763
"100% recommend to family and friends." Patients Across San Antonio Choose Hulme Orthodontics
Karissa Ramirez
San Antonio, TX
2023
Dr. Hulme and his staff is very welcoming and friendly. The lobby is very clean and organized. Dr. Hulme is an awesome orthodontist. 100% recommend to family and friends ❤️
View on Googlemichelle heath
San Antonio, TX
2023
Wonderful experience! Prices are a bit higher than surrounding orthodontists, however, the doctor and staff are so much more friendly treat you like a patient of theirs, not some number.
View on GoogleWhy Choose Hulme Orthodontics?
Board-Certified Specialist
Dr. Hulme is exclusively focused on the field of orthodontics and is recognized as a board-certified specialist. He is one of the first orthodontists to earn board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics.Meet Directly With Dr. Hulme
Dr. Hulme's practice has expanded to six locations in the Greater San Antonio area. Though we have offices in Boerne, Braceland, Castroville, Westwood Center, Huebner Parke, and China Grove, Dr. Hulme still believes in meeting each of his patients to develop a treatment plan.
Variety of Treatments
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Hulme is well-versed in a variety of treatments to give patients teeth worth smiling about. Palatal expanders, headgear, and other orthodontic options we offer typically can't be found at a general dentist's office.Convenient Hours
It can be difficult to schedule your child's orthodontic appointment in a way that doesn't interfere with their school hours and your working hours. Our orthodontist offers convenient office hours before and after school, as well as on many school holidays.
Insurance and Financing for Orthodontic Appliance Treatment
Dental insurance will likely cover part or all of the cost of your child's orthodontic appliance treatment, as it is essential for healthy dental growth and maintenance. If your insurance does not cover treatment or you don't have insurance, we accept monthly financing through CareCredit® to help you budget the cost of treatment into a plan that works for you.
Dedicated Treatment Results in Beautiful Smiles A Real Patient's Before and After Photos
Depending on your child's age and the severity of their misalignment, we may be able to correct an uneven bite with the help of rubber bands and braces.
"Dr. Hulme is an excellent orthodontist." More Reviews From Our San Antonio, TX, Patients
Gloria Carrejo
San Antonio, TX
2023
Love this place. The entire staff here at (Braceland) Hulme is so attentive and welcoming. Dr Hulme was very understanding and accommodating to my child’s needs.
View on GoogleEddie Hsu
San Antonio, TX
2023
Dr Hulme is an excellent orthodontist. Understands the tradeoff of value vs impact. Has patience and knowledge beyond any other orthodontist I've dealt with. Understanding of circumstances and excellent customer service
View on Google
