Braces & Clear Aligners Mount Laurel
Simple Treatments for Spectacular Smiles
At Ellis Orthodontics, Dr. Len Ellis utilizes the latest in orthodontic technology to provide cutting-edge treatments that deliver stunning results with minimal hassle.
Choosing our practice means your journey to a spectacular smile is quick, easy, and comfortable.
Our Other Treatment Options
Dr. Ellis knows that sometimes you need a little extra help. That’s why our practice offers additional treatments like:
- Functional appliances
- Laser therapy
- Sleep apnea therapy
- TMJ treatment
Functional Appliances
If Dr. Ellis tells you you have an overbite or underbite, functional appliances might be what you need to achieve a perfect bite.
Unlike braces, which focus on straightening teeth, functional appliances target the jaw itself. They work their magic by gently nudging your jaw into the right place, helping to fix bite issues before braces even enter the picture.
These appliances come in different shapes and sizes, with some being removable and others staying put until they’ve done their job. But don’t worry — they’re designed to fit comfortably and work with your natural growth.
Functional appliances are most effective for kids and teens. If Dr. Ellis recommends one, think of it like getting a VIP pass to a glamorous smile. These devices work behind the scenes to give you a healthy, picture-perfect bite.
Laser Therapy
Lasers might sound a bit like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they’re all about precision and gentle care in the world of braces and aligners.
Laser therapy is used for a variety of tasks, from reshaping gum tissue to exposing more of a tooth’s surface to speeding up the healing process after certain procedures.
If you’ve got too much gum covering your teeth, making them look shorter than they are, laser therapy can help sculpt your gums into the perfect frame for your smile.
Lasers can create small openings in the gum tissue, which can help your orthodontist more easily place devices like TADs (temporary anchorage devices). This means less discomfort and faster healing for you.
Sleep Apnea Therapy
In orthodontics, sleep apnea therapy helps you breathe better and sleep soundly. You might be dealing with sleep apnea if you snore or wake up tired despite getting a full night’s sleep. It happens when something blocks your airway, so you temporarily stop breathing.
One of the main ways our team can treat sleep apnea is by using custom-made oral appliances. These are like mouthguards that you wear while you sleep.
They work by gently repositioning your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open, reducing snoring and preventing dangerous breathing pauses.
For some people, sleep apnea therapy might involve other orthodontic treatments, like braces or even surgery, to correct underlying issues with jaw alignment that contribute to the problem. But the goal is always the same: to help you breathe easier and sleep better.
TMJ Treatment
The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull.
When it’s not working properly, it can cause all sorts of problems—from jaw pain and headaches to difficulty chewing and even clicking or popping sounds when you open your mouth.
One of the most common treatments is a custom-made oral appliance, such as a splint or mouthguard. You wear it at night (or sometimes during the day), and it works by keeping your jaw in a more relaxed position. This helps to ease the pressure on the TMJ and reduce pain.
These treatments can align teeth and jaws, relieve strain on the TMJ, and prevent further problems. If you have more severe TMJ issues, other options like physical therapy, medication, or even surgery might help.