Receiving orthodontic care is crucial to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Single-phase orthodontics is the norm; however, in some circumstances, orthodontists may recommend a more extensive two-phase treatment. In two-phase treatment, patients undergo two distinct courses of treatment to address a wide variety of malocclusions (bite problems). Your child can have a beautiful, healthy smile far into adulthood with the help of this comprehensive treatment approach. Drs. Jon and Ryan Rucker use two-phase treatment to achieve optimal outcomes for your child when one type of treatment may not be as effective.
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment refers to correcting misalignments before your child grows in all of their permanent teeth. Orthodontists often advocate starting treatment as soon as possible in the hopes of avoiding the need for more extensive treatments down the road.
The typical window for early intervention is between the ages of six and nine. Issues that are typically addressed during this time include crowding of the teeth, an extreme overbite or underbite, and other alignment concerns. This usually involves braces or another type of orthodontic appliance.
Phase 1
During this stage, Dr. Rucker can assess your child’s condition and recommend the best course of action for straightening their teeth and jaw. Removable appliances like space maintainers and expanders may be used to make room for permanent teeth, and fixed appliances like braces may be used to move teeth into the correct positions. Before moving on to traditional braces or other treatments, this phase addresses the most significant problems with your child’s bite and gives them a healthy smile.
Resting Phase
In two-stage orthodontic treatment, once the first phase is complete, we wait for your child’s permanent teeth to develop before proceeding to the second phase. Depending on the severity of the alignment issue being treated, this can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. During this time, developing a routine of twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing can help your child maintain their oral health as they transition from their baby teeth to permanent (adult) teeth.
Phase 2
The final phase of orthodontic treatment occurs after the patient has rested and all permanent teeth have developed. During this stage, we’ll utilize either braces or aligners to make any necessary tweaks to their teeth and jaw so they can smile with confidence. Depending on your child’s specific situation, they may require either metal braces or transparent aligners.
Determining if your child could benefit from two-phase treatment is unique to every situation. We recommend scheduling a free consultation for your child by the age of seven; during this time, we can determine the best type of treatment for their situation!
Airway Orthodontics
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway Orthodontics is a specialty within the field of orthodontics that focuses on improving the health and function of the patient’s airway. Airway Orthodontics can help improve the patient’s breathing, reduce snoring and sleep apnea, and even improve overall aesthetics by addressing malocclusions, crowding, and other orthodontic issues.
Airway orthodontics in Temecula, CA, is used to treat people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OBS) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). These disorders usually take place while the person is sleeping and prevent the patient from being able to breathe properly or at all while resting. They are often treated with the use of specialized appliances, such as jaw repositioning devices, that help realign the teeth and jaws.
Achieve Better Rest With Improved Breathing & Oral Health
As we mentioned, airway orthodontics is a form of orthodontic treatment for people with breathing disorders that affect them while they sleep. Through the use of airway orthodontics and advanced appliances, such as braces and jaw repositioning devices, our team can help realign the teeth and jaws so that a person can breathe easier while sleeping.
Those who are affected by one of these breathing disorders usually wake up multiple times in the middle of the night, not always remembering why or what woke them up. With airway orthodontics in Temecula, CA, this experience can be reduced significantly as the patient’s breathing is improved and their oral health is addressed.
When Should You Or Your Child See An Airway Orthodontics Expert?
OBS and SBD can affect anyone of any age, including children. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs. For children, the symptoms may not appear as clearly; instead, you may notice differences in their mood and activity. Look for the following signs:
Mouth breathing
Restless sleep or nightmares
Chronic nasal congestion
Low energy levels
Hyperactivity or ADHD
On the other hand, signs of sleep apnea in yourself or your partner may look like this:
Loud snoring or gasping for breath
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Fatigue or depression
Waking up with a dry mouth and sore throat
Frequent headaches in the morning
If you notice any of these signs, contact Rucker Orthodontics to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled orthodontists, Dr. Jon and Ryan Rucker, to see if you may benefit from airway orthodontics in Temecula, CA. With Rucker Orthodontics, we can recommend a device that allows you or your child to breathe easier and help you get a more restful night’s sleep.
Laser Gingivectomy
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is a condition where your gums cover more of your teeth than they should so that a large portion of your gums are visible when you smile. A variety of factors, such as excess gum tissue or a shorter upper lip length, can cause this condition.
What Is A Gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy is an orthodontic surgery used to reduce or reshape the amount of gum tissue that covers your teeth. It involves the removal of excess gum tissue and can be done using a highly accurate and efficient laser.
Rucker Orthodontics is proud to offer laser gingivectomies to our patients. Our laser technology is highly precise and efficient, allowing us to remove excess gum tissue while leaving behind healthy tissue and a beautiful smile. Plus, the recovery time after a laser gingivectomy is much shorter than with traditional surgical methods.
If you have a gummy smile that you would like corrected, schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled orthodontists, Dr. Jon and Ryan Rucker, to learn if a laser gingivectomy in Temecula, CA, is right for you.
How Soft Tissue Recontouring Can Help Your Smile
A gummy smile does not pose health risks in most situations, and otherwise, it does not likely pose any issues or get in the way. Choosing to have soft tissue recontouring is a choice unique to each individual and their own aesthetic goals. It’s important to do what makes you feel the most confident and happy with yourself and your smile. For many people, a gummy smile is a source of concern that makes them feel self-conscious. In these cases, it’s nice to know that there’s a solution that can bring you the bright, full smile you’ve always wanted. Soft tissue recontouring is a simple, painless procedure that reshapes your gums into a more desirable position.
If you are interested in learning more about laser gingivectomy in Temecula, CA, and how it could improve your smile, contact Rucker Orthodontics today for a free consultation!
What Role Does Gummy Smile Treatment Play In Achieving A Perfect Smile?
Gummy smile treatment can play a key role in achieving a perfect smile. A gummy smile affects the overall appearance of your face and can make your smile look older and unbalanced. By reducing the amount of gum tissue that is visible when you smile, soft tissue recontouring can help to restore proper balance to your facial features, allowing your smile to look fuller and brighter. Additionally, it can create a more attractive frame for any orthodontic treatments you may have done, such as braces or Invisalign.
Retainers & Mouthguards
Orthodontic Retention
When it comes to orthodontics, we here at Rucker Orthodontics believe that a good orthodontic treatment should not only straighten your teeth but also produce a beautiful smile that lasts. To ensure our patients’ results are kept in place and can be enjoyed for years to come, we offer both retainers and mouthguards in Temecula, CA.
Retainers are a clear, plastic material used after orthodontic treatment to maintain the current position of your teeth and prevent them from shifting. After your braces are removed, your teeth may be tempted to grow and shift into more crooked positions. To avoid this, we recommend that you wear your retainer for a certain period of time after treatment. Retainers can be fixed devices that are worn permanently or removable devices that can be taken out when eating and cleaning.
Mouthguards, on the other hand, help protect your teeth from damage caused by trauma or injury. These devices cushion and absorb shock to help prevent broken teeth, jaw injuries, and even concussions in some cases.
Types of Retainers
A few different options for retainers are available to you upon completion of your treatment. When deciding which is best for your needs, habits, and goals, Dr. Rucker can help you pick the one that’s right for you. Let’s take a look at our retainer options.
Fixed Retainer
Fixed retainers are orthodontic devices permanently attached to your teeth, usually with wire. It’s designed to stay in place 24/7 and can only be removed by our professionals.
Removable Retainer
Removable retainers look like clear aligners, but they don’t exert pressure to shift the teeth, just enough to keep them in place. They offer many advantages, such as taking them out while you eat, brushing your teeth, and going about your everyday activities. They are mostly encouraged to be worn overnight.
Mouthguards: An Essential Piece Of Equipment
In addition to retainers, mouthguards are necessary for anyone who plays contact sports such as football or hockey. Their purpose is to protect the teeth and jaw from any type of trauma or injury during physical activities. We offer various custom-made mouthguards designed to fit comfortably in the mouth and provide maximum protection.
To learn more about our retainer and mouthguard options in Temecula, CA, contact us at Rucker Orthodontics today!
How To Clean Your Retainer or Mouthguard
It’s essential to clean your retainer or mouthguard on a regular basis to avoid bacteria growth in your device. For retainers, it’s best to rinse them with lukewarm water after eating or drinking and brush them lightly with toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush. For mouthguards, you should rinse them with cold water after every use and leave them to air dry before storing them. You can also clean it with mild soap or an antibacterial solution.
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