Other Treatments

TMD/TMJ Treatment

If you’re experiencing jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth, or frequent headaches, you may be dealing with a condition known as TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). At Hulme Orthodontics, we understand how disruptive and uncomfortable these symptoms can be, and we’re here to provide effective, personalized solutions to help you find relief.

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on each side of your jaw and act as hinges that connect your jaw to your skull, allowing you to chew, speak, and move your mouth. When these joints or the surrounding muscles become strained or damaged, it can lead to TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), which may cause symptoms such as:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
• Difficulty or pain while chewing
• Headaches, neck pain, or earaches
• Locking or limited movement of the jaw

What Causes TMJ/TMD?

TMD can develop for a variety of reasons, including:

• Misaligned Bite: When your teeth or jaw are not properly aligned, it can put extra stress on your jaw joints.
• Teeth Grinding or Clenching: Chronic grinding or clenching can strain the jaw muscles and joints, leading to inflammation and discomfort.
• Injury or Trauma: A direct injury to the jaw or face can result in TMD symptoms.
• Arthritis or Joint Degeneration: Over time, the temporomandibular joints can become affected by arthritis, leading to pain and stiffness.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we take a personalized approach to diagnosing and treating TMD. By identifying the root cause of your symptoms, we can recommend an effective treatment plan to help alleviate discomfort and restore normal function.

Treatment options may include:

• Orthodontic Solutions: Misaligned teeth or bite issues can contribute to TMD. Orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign or braces, can help correct these issues and reduce strain on your jaw joints.
• Nightguards or Splints: Custom-made oral appliances can protect your teeth from grinding or clenching and help relax your jaw muscles while you sleep.
• Lifestyle Modifications: We’ll provide guidance on stress management techniques, dietary adjustments, and exercises to help reduce strain on your jaw.
• Collaborative Care: In complex cases, we may work with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists or dentists, to provide comprehensive care for your TMD.

Our team has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating TMD, and we’re committed to finding the solution that works best for you. Using advanced technology and a compassionate approach, we’ll develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs, helping you find relief and improve your quality of life.

Early/Interceptive Two-Phase Treatment

At Hulme Orthodontics, we believe in taking a proactive approach to your child’s orthodontic care. Early, or interceptive, two-phase treatment is designed to address developing dental and jaw issues at the optimal time, ensuring your child has the best opportunity for a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. By dividing treatment into two stages, we can guide your child’s oral development more effectively and achieve results that may not be possible later in life.

Two-phase treatment is a specialized approach that involves two distinct stages of orthodontic care, typically separated by a resting period. It’s recommended for children who show early signs of bite issues, alignment problems, or jaw growth concerns.

Phase One: Early Intervention

The goal of Phase One is to address significant issues early while your child’s jaws and teeth are still developing. Often around age eight, treatment during this phase can:

• Guide jaw growth to correct bite alignment (overbites, underbites, or crossbites).
• Create space for crowded or erupting teeth.
• Address harmful habits like thumb-sucking that can impact dental development.
• Reduce the risk of more severe orthodontic problems later on.

Phase One may involve the use of expanders, partial braces, or other appliances to set the stage for healthy jaw and tooth development.

After Phase One, there’s typically a break in treatment to allow permanent teeth to come in naturally. During this time, we’ll monitor your child’s development to ensure everything is progressing as planned.

Phase Two: Comprehensive Treatment

Phase Two begins when most of your child’s permanent teeth have erupted, typically closer to age twelve. This stage focuses on fine-tuning tooth alignment and achieving a stable, functional bite. Comprehensive treatment may include braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic appliances to give your child the best possible smile.

Who Needs Two-Phase Treatment?

While many children don’t require early treatment, there is a percentage of kids who can benefit from interceptive orthodontics. Common signs that your child might need two-phase treatment include:

• Early loss of baby teeth or late eruption of permanent teeth.
• Difficulty chewing or biting.
• Severe crowding or spacing.
• Protruding teeth or jaw misalignment (underbite, overbite, or crossbite).
• Persistent thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habits.

Two-phase treatment can provide significant benefits for your child’s long-term oral health:

• Prevents Complications: Addressing issues early can minimize or even eliminate the need for more invasive procedures in the future.
• Optimizes Growth: By guiding jaw development at the right time, we can ensure a harmonious alignment between the upper and lower jaws.
• Improves Function and Aesthetics: Two-phase treatment results in a healthier bite, improved oral function, and a confident smile your child can enjoy for life.

“Eight is Great” for Your Child’s First Evaluation

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven or eight, which is why we say “Eight is Great.” Early evaluations allow us to identify potential problems and determine if your child would benefit from two-phase treatment. Acting early can make all the difference in achieving the best outcomes.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to creating positive, personalized experiences for every patient—especially our youngest ones! If you think your child may need early orthodontic care, contact us today to request their consultation. Together, we’ll lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.

Limited Treatment

Orthodontic care isn’t always about full, comprehensive treatment. For some patients, limited treatment can address specific orthodontic concerns quickly and effectively without the need for a full treatment plan. At Hulme Orthodontics, we offer customized limited treatment options for patients with minor alignment issues or specific goals, helping them achieve the smile they want in less time.

Limited treatment focuses on correcting a specific orthodontic issue rather than addressing the entire bite or all alignment concerns. It’s an excellent choice for patients who:

• Have minor crowding or spacing in a specific area.
• Want to make small adjustments to improve their smile.
• Are preparing for cosmetic dental work, such as veneers or implants.
• Have experienced a relapse after previous orthodontic treatment.

Unlike comprehensive orthodontics, limited treatment typically focuses on one area of the mouth or one orthodontic issue, making it faster and more cost-effective.

Who Is a Candidate for Limited Treatment?

Limited treatment is ideal for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic needs. Common issues that can be addressed with limited treatment include:

• Slightly crooked front teeth.
• Small gaps between teeth.
• Minor crowding or overlapping.
• Tooth movement after losing or not wearing a retainer.

During your consultation, our team will evaluate your teeth, jaw, and overall oral health to determine if limited treatment is the right option for you.

What Are the Benefits of Limited Treatment?

Faster Results: Because limited treatment focuses on a specific issue, treatment time is often much shorter than comprehensive orthodontics, typically lasting just a few months.

• Often Cost-Effective: With a more focused treatment plan, limited treatment is often more affordable.
• Customizable Options: Depending on your needs, we can use braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic appliances to achieve your goals.
• Improved Aesthetics: Even small changes can make a big difference in your confidence and smile appearance.

In-House Aligners for Limited Treatment

For minor tooth movement, we offer in-house aligners, which are custom-made in our office for faster turnaround and more affordable treatment. These aligners are perfect for addressing small alignment concerns quickly and conveniently, especially for patients who have experienced relapse after previous orthodontic work.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we believe that every patient deserves to love their smile, no matter how big or small their orthodontic needs are. If you’re looking to address a specific issue with limited treatment, contact us today to request a consultation. We’ll create a personalized plan to help you achieve the results you want—quickly and effectively!

Expansion Treatment

Expansion treatment is a specialized orthodontic technique used to widen the upper jaw, creating more space for teeth and improving overall bite alignment. At Hulme Orthodontics, we use expansion treatment to address issues like crowding, crossbites, and narrow arches, ensuring your smile is both functional and beautiful. This treatment is especially effective for children and teens, as their jaws are still growing and can be guided into their ideal positions.

Expansion treatment involves the use of an orthodontic appliance, such as a palatal expander, to gently and gradually widen the upper jaw. This creates more space in the mouth, allowing teeth to align properly and correcting certain bite issues. The process is painless and typically takes several months, with the appliance adjusted incrementally to achieve the desired results.

Who Needs Expansion Treatment?

Expansion treatment is often recommended for children and teens, but in some cases, adults may benefit as well. Common reasons for expansion treatment include:

• Crowding: When there’s not enough space for permanent teeth to erupt, expansion can create the room needed to avoid extractions or complex treatments.
• Crossbite: A crossbite occurs when the upper jaw is too narrow, causing the upper teeth to sit inside the lower teeth. Expansion corrects this issue by properly aligning the jaws.
• Narrow Arches: A narrow upper jaw can affect the alignment of teeth and the overall appearance of your smile. Expanding the arch creates a broader, more harmonious smile.
• Airway Improvement: Expansion can also help open up the airway, making it easier to breathe and reducing issues like snoring or sleep-disordered breathing.

Expansion treatment provides a range of benefits for patients, including:

• Improved Alignment: By creating more space, expansion helps align teeth more effectively during orthodontic treatment.
• Reduced Need for Extractions: Expansion can eliminate the need for removing teeth to address crowding.
• Better Jaw Harmony: It ensures the upper and lower jaws fit together properly, improving bite function.
• Enhanced Facial Aesthetics: A wider arch can contribute to a more balanced and attractive facial profile.
• Improved Airway Health: For some patients, expansion can enhance airflow and reduce breathing issues.

When Is the Best Time for Expansion Treatment?

The best time for expansion treatment is during childhood or early adolescence when the jaw is still growing. This is why we encourage parents to schedule an orthodontic evaluation by age eight to determine if their child might benefit from early interceptive care like expansion. For adults, surgical assistance may sometimes be needed to achieve the same results, but it’s still possible to address narrow arches or crossbites with expansion.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we use advanced techniques and appliances to ensure that expansion treatment is as comfortable and effective as possible. During your consultation, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation to determine if expansion is the right solution for you or your child. Our team will guide you through every step of the process, providing expert care and support to ensure the best possible results.

Multi-Disciplinary/Pre-Restorative Treatment

Orthodontic care is about more than just straightening teeth—it’s about creating a healthy, functional foundation for long-term oral health. In some cases, orthodontic treatment works hand-in-hand with other dental or medical procedures to achieve the best possible results. At Hulme Orthodontics, we specialize in multi-disciplinary and pre-restorative treatment, collaborating with your dentist and other specialists to ensure your smile is ready for any restorative or cosmetic procedures you may need.

Multi-disciplinary and pre-restorative orthodontic treatment involves aligning the teeth and jaws to prepare for restorative dental work, such as:

• Dental implants
• Crowns or bridges
• Veneers
• Periodontal treatments
• Full-mouth rehabilitation

By addressing orthodontic issues like misalignment, crowding, or bite problems before these procedures, we can ensure that your teeth and jaws are in the ideal position to support your long-term dental health and cosmetic goals.

When Is This Type of Treatment Needed?

Multi-disciplinary or pre-restorative orthodontic treatment is recommended when there are structural or alignment issues that could interfere with restorative or cosmetic dental work. Common situations include:

• Replacing Missing Teeth: If a tooth has been lost or extracted, orthodontic treatment can create the proper space for a dental implant or bridge.
• Correcting Crowding or Spacing: Misaligned teeth can make it difficult to place crowns, veneers, or bridges correctly. Aligning the teeth ensures a proper fit and natural appearance.
• Improving Bite Function: A poorly aligned bite can lead to excessive wear on teeth, TMJ issues, or difficulty with chewing. Orthodontic treatment can restore balance to your bite.
• Periodontal Concerns: Straightening teeth can improve oral hygiene, making it easier to care for your gums and supporting better outcomes for periodontal treatment.

How Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Works

At Hulme Orthodontics, we take a team-based approach to your care. We work closely with your dentist, oral surgeon, periodontist, or prosthodontist to ensure your orthodontic treatment is fully coordinated with any restorative or cosmetic work.

Steps in the process typically include:

1. Comprehensive Evaluation: We’ll evaluate your teeth, bite, and overall oral health to determine how orthodontic treatment can support your restorative needs.
2. Customized Treatment Plan: We’ll create a plan tailored to your specific goals, focusing on alignment, spacing, and bite correction.
3. Collaboration with Specialists: Our team will communicate directly with your dentist or specialist to ensure your orthodontic treatment aligns seamlessly with any planned procedures.
4. Achieving the Ideal Outcome: Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, your smile will be ready for restorative work, giving you the best possible results.

Benefits of Pre-Restorative Orthodontic Treatment

• Improved Function: Properly aligned teeth and jaws support better chewing, speaking, and overall bite function.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Straightening teeth and creating proper spacing ensures your crowns, veneers, or implants look natural and beautiful.
• Long-Term Success: Orthodontic treatment lays the foundation for restorative work that lasts, preventing issues like tooth wear, shifting, or bite instability.
• Healthier Smile: Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of gum disease and decay, which can impact the success of restorative work.

With years of expertise and a commitment to personalized care, Hulme Orthodontics is your trusted partner in achieving a healthy, functional, and stunning smile. We work closely with your entire dental team to ensure your treatment plan meets your unique needs and goals.

Re-Treatment

Sometimes, even after completing orthodontic treatment, teeth can shift or alignment issues can return. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as not wearing retainers as prescribed, natural changes over time, or incomplete correction during earlier treatment. At Hulme Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic retreatment to help patients restore their smiles and achieve long-lasting results they can be proud of.

Orthodontic retreatment is a follow-up treatment for patients who have previously undergone orthodontic care but need additional adjustments to correct shifting teeth, bite alignment, or other concerns. Retreatment can be as simple as minor tooth movement using clear aligners or braces, or it may involve more comprehensive care, depending on the patient’s needs.

Why Do Teeth Shift After Treatment?

Teeth can shift for a variety of reasons, even after orthodontic care is complete. Common causes include:

• Inconsistent Retainer Use: Not wearing a retainer regularly after treatment can allow teeth to gradually move out of alignment.
• Natural Changes Over Time: Teeth naturally shift as part of the aging process, especially in adulthood.
• Jaw Growth: Growth changes, particularly in younger patients, can alter the alignment achieved during earlier treatment.
• Other Factors: Habits like grinding, clenching, or even tooth loss can contribute to changes in tooth alignment over time.

At Hulme Orthodontics, our retreatment process begins with a thorough evaluation to determine why your teeth have shifted and what type of treatment is needed. We’ll work closely with you to create a personalized plan that fits your specific goals and lifestyle.

The sooner you address shifting teeth, the easier and faster retreatment will be. Acting early prevents further misalignment and reduces the risk of developing more complex orthodontic or dental issues.

If your teeth have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment, we’re here to help. Contact Hulme Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation and learn more about retreatment options. With our expertise and personalized approach, we’ll get your smile back on track and ensure your results last a lifetime!

Orthognathic Surgery

For patients with severe jaw misalignment or bite issues that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone, orthognathic surgery (also known as jaw surgery) may be the best solution. At Hulme Orthodontics, we work closely with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide comprehensive care for patients who need surgical intervention. By combining advanced orthodontic treatment with jaw surgery, we can achieve results that enhance both the function and aesthetics of your smile.

Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that realigns the jaws to correct significant skeletal imbalances. It is often recommended for patients with:

• Severe overbites, underbites, or open bites
• Asymmetrical jaws (one side larger or smaller than the other)
• Difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing
• Chronic jaw pain or TMJ disorders
• Facial imbalances or disproportionate profiles

This surgery is typically done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to ensure the teeth and jaws fit together properly, providing a healthy, functional bite and a harmonious appearance.

When Is Orthognathic Surgery Needed?

Orthognathic surgery is usually recommended for patients whose jaw issues cannot be corrected with braces, aligners, or other orthodontic appliances alone. It is often necessary in cases where the upper and lower jaws grow at different rates, resulting in:

• Misaligned bites that cause excessive wear on teeth or difficulty chewing
• Breathing problems, including obstructive sleep apnea
• Speech difficulties caused by poor jaw alignment

Orthognathic surgery is generally performed once jaw growth is complete, typically after the late teenage years.

Orthognathic treatment is a multi-step process that requires close collaboration between your orthodontist and oral surgeon. At Hulme Orthodontics, we guide you through every phase of the process.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we specialize in managing complex cases that require multi-disciplinary care, including orthognathic surgery. Our team works hand-in-hand with experienced oral surgeons to ensure you receive seamless, coordinated treatment and achieve the best possible outcome. From your initial consultation to post-surgical care, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that cannot fully erupt into the mouth because it is blocked by other teeth, bone, or gum tissue. Impacted teeth are most common with wisdom teeth, but they can also occur with other teeth, including canines. At Hulme Orthodontics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating impacted teeth to ensure proper alignment, prevent complications, and create a healthy, beautiful smile.

Teeth are considered impacted when they are unable to erupt or grow into their correct position in the mouth. This can happen due to:

• Crowding: There may not be enough room in the jaw for the tooth to come in properly.
• Abnormal Eruption Path: The tooth may grow in the wrong direction, becoming trapped under other teeth or tissue.
• Genetics: Some individuals are more prone to impacted teeth due to inherited jaw or tooth size.

While wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted, maxillary canines (upper eye teeth) are the second most frequently impacted teeth. Canines play a vital role in bite alignment, so addressing their impaction is crucial for proper oral function.

Why Treat Impacted Teeth?

If left untreated, impacted teeth can lead to a variety of dental issues, including:

• Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Pressure from an impacted tooth can harm neighboring teeth or their roots.
• Infection: Trapped teeth can create pockets where bacteria grow, leading to gum infections or cysts.
• Misalignment: Impacted teeth can disrupt the alignment of surrounding teeth, leading to bite problems.
• Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: In severe cases, impacted teeth can interfere with oral function.

How We Treat Impacted Teeth

At Hulme Orthodontics, we take a personalized approach to treating impacted teeth. Using advanced technology, including digital X-rays and 3D CBCT scans, we can pinpoint the exact position of the impacted tooth and develop a customized treatment plan.

Treatment options may include:

• Orthodontic Guidance: For many patients, braces or Invisalign can be used to create space in the jaw and guide the impacted tooth into its correct position. This is a common approach for impacted canines.
• Surgical Exposure and Bracketing: For teeth that are deeply impacted, we may work with an oral surgeon to expose the tooth. Once exposed, a small orthodontic bracket is placed on the tooth, and gentle pressure is applied over time to guide it into alignment.
• Tooth Extraction: In some cases, especially with wisdom teeth, the best course of action is to remove the impacted tooth to prevent damage to other teeth and oral structures.

Early detection and intervention are key. That’s why we recommend an orthodontic evaluation by age eight to identify potential issues, including impacted teeth, early on. For adults, addressing impacted teeth as soon as symptoms arise can prevent further complications and improve oral health.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we have the expertise and technology to effectively treat impacted teeth with precision and care. Whether your treatment requires orthodontic guidance, surgical collaboration, or a combination of both, we’ll ensure your experience is smooth, comfortable, and successful.

Extraction Treatment

In some orthodontic cases, tooth extractions are necessary to create the space needed for proper alignment and bite correction. While we always aim to preserve as many teeth as possible, extraction treatment can sometimes be the most effective way to achieve a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. At Hulme Orthodontics, we take a thoughtful, personalized approach to extractions, ensuring the process is smooth, comfortable, and delivers the best possible results.

Tooth extractions are typically recommended in specific situations where keeping all the teeth would compromise the outcome of orthodontic treatment. Common reasons for extractions include:

• Severe Crowding: When there isn’t enough room in the jaw for all the teeth to align properly, extractions can create the necessary space.
• Impacted Teeth: In cases where teeth are trapped beneath the gumline or growing in the wrong direction, extraction may be the best solution (especially for wisdom teeth).
• Protrusion: If the teeth protrude significantly, extractions can help bring them back into alignment and create a balanced facial profile.
• Overlapping Teeth: Removing one or more teeth can resolve extreme overlap, allowing braces or aligners to straighten the remaining teeth effectively.
• Preparation for Orthognathic Surgery: In some cases, extractions may be part of a comprehensive plan for jaw surgery to correct bite alignment.

Extractions are typically a straightforward procedure performed under local anesthesia, ensuring you feel no pain during the process. For more complex cases, sedation options may be available.

After the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild soreness or swelling, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and soft foods. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you recover quickly and comfortably.

At Hulme Orthodontics, we prioritize your comfort and care at every step of the process. If extractions are part of your treatment plan, we’ll ensure you fully understand the reasons behind the decision and how it will help you achieve your best smile. With advanced technology and our expert team, you can feel confident you’re in great hands.

Transfer Patients

At Hulme Orthodontics, we understand that life can bring unexpected changes—whether you’re moving to a new city, switching orthodontists, or resuming treatment after a pause. That’s why we make it easy for transfer patients to continue their orthodontic care without missing a beat. Our team is experienced in working with transfer cases and is committed to ensuring a smooth, seamless transition so you can stay on track toward your dream smile.

Why Transfer to Hulme Orthodontics?

Patients transfer to our practice for a variety of reasons, including:

• Relocating to the San Antonio area and needing a new orthodontist to continue treatment.
• Looking for a more convenient location—we have six offices across San Antonio to make treatment more accessible.
• A desire for enhanced service and a team that prioritizes 5-star patient care.
• Transitioning from another practice that may not be meeting your needs.

No matter your reason for transferring, our goal is to make the process as easy as possible while delivering exceptional care and keeping your treatment plan on track.

How the Transfer Process Works

We strive to make transferring your orthodontic care to Hulme Orthodontics a stress-free experience. Here’s what to expect:

1. Initial Consultation: We’ll schedule a consultation to review your current orthodontic progress, discuss your goals, and assess your treatment needs.
2. Records Transfer: With your permission, we’ll work with your previous orthodontist to gather important records such as X-rays, photos, treatment plans, and notes. If needed, we can take new digital X-rays and scans to ensure we have the most up-to-date information.
3. Treatment Plan Evaluation: Our team will evaluate your progress and determine how to continue your treatment effectively. This may include transitioning to our preferred appliances, braces, or aligners.
4. Personalized Care: Once we’ve established your updated treatment plan, you’ll enjoy the same high-quality, patient-focused care we provide to every Hulme Orthodontics patient.

With over 20 years of experience, a team of two board-certified orthodontists, and six locations across San Antonio, Hulme Orthodontics is uniquely equipped to handle transfer cases with care and precision. Our commitment to 5-star service, advanced technology, and personalized treatment ensures that your orthodontic journey continues smoothly and successfully.