Other Treatments

Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment

At Rice Orthodontics, we believe in the power of early intervention to create the healthiest, most beautiful smiles. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized approach that helps guide jaw development, correct bite issues, and prevent more serious problems later on. By addressing orthodontic concerns in two stages, we can maximize treatment efficiency and ensure long-term success.

Two-phase treatment is a proactive approach that involves early orthodontic intervention (Phase One) followed by a secondary treatment phase (Phase Two) once all permanent teeth have come in. This method allows us to correct jaw growth issues and tooth alignment at the right stages of development.

Phase One: Early Intervention (Ages 6-10)

The first phase of treatment typically begins when a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. At this stage, we focus on guiding jaw development and making room for permanent teeth to come in properly.

Goals of Phase One:

• Correct jaw growth issues (such as underbites or overbites)
• Reduce crowding and create space for permanent teeth
• Address harmful oral habits (such as thumb sucking)
• Prevent the need for more complex treatments later

Phase One treatment may include expanders, limited braces, or space maintainers to set the stage for proper dental development. After this phase, most children enter a resting period, where we monitor their growth before starting the second phase of treatment.

Phase Two: Comprehensive Treatment (Ages 11-14)

Once all permanent teeth have erupted, Phase Two begins. This phase typically involves braces or clear aligners to fine-tune tooth alignment, correct bite issues, and create a lasting, beautiful smile.

Goals of Phase Two:

• Straighten permanent teeth for optimal alignment
• Correct any remaining bite issues
• Ensure a balanced, healthy smile for life

By completing both phases of treatment, we can achieve results that are more stable, efficient, and long-lasting than waiting until all permanent teeth have come in.

Does My Child Need Two-Phase Treatment?

Not every child requires early intervention, but an orthodontic evaluation by age seven can help determine if two-phase treatment is the best approach. Early treatment can prevent the need for extractions, jaw surgery, or prolonged orthodontic care in the future.

If you’re wondering whether two-phase treatment is right for your child, request a consultation at Rice Orthodontics today! Our team is here to guide your child toward a healthy, confident smile for life.

Surgical Orthodontics

At Rice Orthodontics, we specialize in creating healthy, functional, and confident smiles — and in some cases, achieving the best results requires a combination of orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery. Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, is used to correct severe jaw misalignments, bite irregularities, and facial imbalances that cannot be fully resolved with braces or aligners alone.

Surgical orthodontics is a collaborative treatment that combines braces or clear aligners with corrective jaw surgery to improve both the function and appearance of the smile. This approach is used for patients with skeletal issues that affect their ability to chew, speak, breathe, or maintain proper dental alignment.

Jaw surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, while Dr. Rice oversees the orthodontic phase of treatment to ensure the teeth align properly before and after surgery.

Who Needs Surgical Orthodontics?

Surgical orthodontics is typically recommended for adults and older teens (ages 18+) whose jaws have stopped growing. This treatment may be needed for:

• Severe bite misalignments (overbite, underbite, open bite, or crossbite)
• Significant jaw discrepancies affecting function and facial balance
• Difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing (including airway issues like sleep apnea)
• Facial asymmetry caused by jaw misalignment

How Does the Process Work?

1. Pre-Surgical Orthodontics

Before surgery, patients wear braces or clear aligners to begin aligning the teeth. This phase usually lasts 6 to 18 months.

2. Corrective Jaw Surgery

Once the teeth are properly positioned, an oral surgeon performs jaw surgery to move the upper or lower jaw into its ideal position. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and typically requires a short recovery period.

3. Post-Surgical Orthodontic Treatment

After surgery, Dr. Rice fine-tunes the alignment of your teeth using braces or aligners to ensure a perfect bite and smile.

Benefits of Surgical Orthodontics

• Improves bite function and chewing ability
• Enhances facial balance and symmetry
• Relieves jaw pain and discomfort
• Can help with breathing issues, including sleep apnea
• Creates a stable, long-term orthodontic result

If you’ve been told you may need jaw surgery as part of your orthodontic treatment, Rice Orthodontics is here to guide you through the process. Request a consultation today to learn more about how surgical orthodontics can transform your smile and improve your quality of life!

Emergency Care

At Rice Orthodontics, we know that unexpected issues can arise during your orthodontic treatment. While true orthodontic emergencies are rare, minor discomfort or appliance issues can happen. Our team is here to help you handle any orthodontic emergency quickly and effectively, so your treatment stays on track.

Common Orthodontic Emergencies & How to Handle Them

1. Soreness or Discomfort

• What’s happening? It’s normal to feel some soreness after getting braces or switching to a new aligner.
• What to do: Stick to soft foods, use over-the-counter pain relievers, and rinse with warm salt water to ease discomfort.

2. Poking Wires

• What’s happening? A wire may shift or come loose and start poking the inside of your cheek or gums.
• What to do: Try using a cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire into a more comfortable position. Apply orthodontic wax (available in our 24/7 emergency supply box) to cover the sharp end. If the issue persists, call our office for an adjustment.

3. Loose or Broken Bracket

• What’s happening? A bracket may become loose due to eating hard or sticky foods.
• What to do: If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and cover it with wax if needed. If it completely falls off, keep it in a safe place and call us for a repair appointment.

4. Lost or Broken Aligner or Retainer

• What’s happening? Losing or breaking an aligner can delay your treatment progress.
• What to do: Contact our office as soon as possible. Since we 3D print aligners in-house, we can replace them quickly!

5. Broken or Missing Rubber Bands

• What’s happening? Rubber bands are essential for correcting bite issues, and missing one can slow progress.
• What to do: Pick up replacements from our 24/7 rubber band and wax box outside our office. We can also mail you more rubber bands. If you have any questions, call us for guidance.

When to Call Our Office

While many minor issues can be handled at home, we are always here to help with any questions or issues you may experience during treatment. Especially call us right away if you experience:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve
• A wire or bracket causing an open sore or bleeding
• A major injury to the mouth, teeth, or jaw

At Rice Orthodontics, we’re here to ensure your treatment stays comfortable and stress-free. If you’re experiencing an orthodontic emergency, call our office, and we’ll help you get back on track!