Treatments

Early Treatment

As providers of braces for kids, we at Oubre Orthodontics are glad to do everything we can to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams. Treatment and care starting from a young age can, at times, be essential for a patient to have the best chance of developing their perfect smile.

Early orthodontic intervention–often referred to as phase I or limited treatment–is typically indicated in the presence of a growth discrepancy of the jaws. Examples of such discrepancies include overbites, underbites, crossbites and numerous other things. Catching these issues early on can potentially allow for the natural growth of the patient to be harnessed to help mitigate future growth issues.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a patient undergo an early orthodontic screening at the age of seven. A child’s adult molars will have erupted by this time, allowing us to see if the teeth are developing correctly and let us catch any issues early on.

Adolescent Treatment

Here at Oubre Orthodontics, we’re proud to serve patients of all ages. We believe that everyone deserves to have a straight and healthy smile. That said, one age group that we serve much more frequently than others is adolescents.

By the time a child reaches the age of 12, it’s likely that all of their primary teeth will have been lost, and the permanent teeth will have come in to replace them. Once these permanent teeth have fully grown in, you are now ready for full, comprehensive orthodontic treatment to create not only a beautiful smile but a healthy bite to last a lifetime.

Adult Treatment

If you’re an adult of any age who is unsatisfied with your smile, or perhaps you feel as if your bite doesn’t fit as well as it used to, we want you to know that adult orthodontic treatment is always a terrific option available for you. Remember – you’re never too old to undergo orthodontic treatment!

When you come in for an initial examination, we’ll determine the optimal orthodontic treatment for you, taking into account your situation and desires. We’re always glad to help patients of all ages achieve a straighter and healthier smile through our efficient orthodontic treatments.

Braces

Every patient has specific orthodontic needs, which is why we strive to provide a comprehensive selection of braces. We’re proud to say we have a suitable treatment option for virtually every orthodontic situation.

Our active self-ligating metal braces utilize special active clips. These clips allow greater precision of tooth movement, which improves detailing in your orthodontic treatment and can lead to quicker wire changes and appointments.

These braces operate in the same way as metal braces, except that the brackets of these braces are made of a transparent ceramic material. This allows a patient to have a more discreet orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign^®

Instead of using metal wires and brackets to shift teeth, Invisalign utilizes plastic aligners to straighten a smile. These aligners are virtually invisible, allowing for the most discreet form of orthodontic treatment available.

Because these aligners are removable, you’ll be able to eat and clean your teeth just like normal, making this treatment a popular option for patients of all ages!

Schedule Appointment

Appliances

At Oubre Orthodontics, we use a variety of appliances to ensure you receive a straighter, healthier smile.

A palatal expander is a device designed to help with correcting bite issues by creating more space in the mouth and gradually widening the upper jaw. This appliance is bonded onto the back molars and is utilized in situations where crossbites of the back teeth are present as well as any general narrow presentation of the upper jaw.

Palatal expanders are time sensitive however! As an adolescent child, the upper jaw is made up of two halves that meet in the middle which is why we are able to widen the jaw with a simple orthopedic appliance. Once a patient reaches the age of 13 years old though, those two halves begin to fuse together to form one, single, solid upper jaw. After that fusion occurs, palatal expanders may not be applicable for every patient and if expansion is truly needed, sometimes it requires jaw surgery to achieve.

A quad helix is a device used to gradually expand the upper jaw, widen the posterior teeth and correct crossbites. It gently applies pressure to widen the dental arch, allowing for proper alignment and improved bite function. This appliance is somewhat similar to a palatal expander; but it is utilized in cases that are not quite as severe as a those that need a traditional palatal expander.

Headgears come in a variety of shapes and styles but all of them are utilized in the presence of jaw growth discrepancies (overbites, underbites, etc). They work by providing application of force to the jaws in a specific direction to help balance the growth and improve the bite.

Elastics are a vital part of treatment with braces as they introduce new forces that the braces alone cannot, to help shift the bite. We like to use the explanation, braces get your teeth straight but the elastics make them fit together.

Compliance and cooperation with elastics is also the single biggest variable in your treatment time as well. Generally worn at all times (excluding eating and brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed at least three times a day. Sticking to the plan with your rubber bands is the best way to stay on track and ensure you can get your braces off on time.

Forsus appliances are springs that can be fixated to the braces to provide an orthodontic solution designed to correct severe overbites by guiding the teeth into the proper bite relationships. We like to utilize these springs in situations where the bite correction is significant and the springs provide efficiency, or when a patient struggles with their rubber band compliance and Forsus springs provide an alternative to still achieve our goals.

Made of biocompatible titanium alloy, TADs are miniscrew anchors inserted into specific places in the mouth to serve as a fixed point from which teeth can move. TADs are typically placed by an oral surgeon and can serve as a great tool to open doors to moving teeth in ways that weren’t possible just a few decades ago.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. In conjunction with orthodontic treatment. This surgery will correct for skeletal discrepancies and can lead to significant and even life altering changes. Jaw surgery can help with obstructive sleep apnea; improved breathing; the overall fit, function and health of the bite, the appearance of your facial structure and improved facial profile just to name a few benefits.

When treating jaw issues with surgery, state-of-the-art techniques and materials, such as digital 3D CBCT x-rays, virtual surgical treatment planning, titanium plates and miniature screws, provide stability, strength, and predictability to your treatment. The advances in technology, procedures, and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, allow us to avoid having to “wire your jaws shut” and allow patients to return to their regular routines soon after the surgery.

Retainers

After you’ve put in the time with braces or Invisalign, you want your teeth to stay straight and your smile to stay beautiful. But if you go straight from braces to nothing, there’s a good chance that your teeth will shift back to where they were before. That's where retainers come in!

Retainers help your jaw set around your perfectly aligned teeth. They’re removable, but we recommend that you use them as often as possible until your teeth start to settle. You will have to wear your retainer when you sleep to maintain your orthodontic results, but don’t worry—you can take it out for meals, special events, and sports games!

TMJ

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the joints and muscles that control jaw movement. Symptoms can include jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and difficulty in chewing or speaking. TMJ disorders can arise from various factors such as injury, arthritis, or habitual grinding and clenching of teeth.

Effective management of TMJ disorders often involves a combination of treatments tailored to each patient’s specific condition. Early diagnosis and personalized care are crucial in relieving symptoms and preventing further complications, ensuring a better quality of life.

Technology

We utilize the latest digital technology to ensure you receive the best treatment possible!

The iTero digital scanner is a simple tool for capturing precise 3D scans of our patient's teeth. This scan produces precise 3D images of the patient’s teeth while allowing us to register their bite relationship.

3D digital X-rays provide a comprehensive and detailed view of the teeth, jaws, joints, airway and surrounding structures. Unlike traditional X-rays, these images are available instantly on a computer, enabling quicker and more precise diagnosis and treatment planning.

Our 3D printer allows us to create highly accurate and customized dental appliances right in our office! This technology enhances precision in treatment, reduces wait times, and ensures a perfect fit for each patient.