Other Treatments
Specialized orthodontic care for complex cases, unique needs, and whole-body health, all under one roof.
Specialized Treatment Options at Boller Orthodontic Arts
Not every smile follows the same path. Dr. Boller's advanced training and commitment to whole-body orthodontic care means she is equipped to address a wide spectrum of complex and specialized cases, from early interceptive treatment to surgical coordination, airway health, and beyond. Explore each of our specialized treatment offerings below.
Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized, sequenced approach that combines early tooth guidance with later full alignment, addressing both the teeth and the underlying jaw structure at the most advantageous times in a child's development.
Phase 1 typically begins between ages 6 and 10, while the jaw is still growing and highly responsive to guidance. During this phase, Dr. Boller may use expanders, partial braces, or other appliances to correct jaw width, improve bite relationships, create space for incoming permanent teeth, and reduce the risk of impacted teeth. Addressing these issues early can prevent more invasive treatment later and often shortens Phase 2 significantly.
Phase 2 begins after the permanent teeth have erupted, usually in the early teen years, and focuses on aligning all of the teeth into their ideal positions using braces or clear aligners. Because the foundation was established in Phase 1, Phase 2 tends to be more efficient and produces more stable, lasting results.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Not every child will need two-phase treatment, but for those who do, early action makes a meaningful difference.
Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Orthodontics
Patients born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate require a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to care, and orthodontics plays a central role throughout their treatment journey. Dr. Boller works closely with cleft teams that include oral surgeons, plastic surgeons, speech therapists, and pediatric dentists to provide seamless, comprehensive orthodontic care.
Orthodontic treatment for cleft patients typically begins in early childhood and continues through adolescence and into adulthood. Goals include aligning the teeth and arches, preparing the bone graft site, coordinating jaw relationships, and ensuring the best possible functional and aesthetic outcome.
At Boller Orthodontic Arts, we understand that patients with cleft conditions and their families carry unique emotional and physical challenges. Our approach is rooted in compassion, patience, and a commitment to delivering care that honors the whole person, not just the smile.
Surgical Orthodontics (Orthognathic Surgery)
For patients with significant jaw discrepancies, where the upper and lower jaws are substantially misaligned, orthodontic treatment alone may not be sufficient to achieve a functional bite and balanced facial profile. In these cases, surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, offers a powerful combined solution.
Surgical orthodontics involves a carefully coordinated treatment plan between Dr. Boller and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Braces are typically worn before and after surgery to align the teeth precisely within each jaw. The surgery itself repositions one or both jaws to correct the skeletal discrepancy, addressing issues such as severe overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, or facial asymmetry.
While the process requires commitment and patience, the results are transformative: improved chewing function, clearer speech, better airway health, and a dramatically improved facial profile. Dr. Boller manages the orthodontic component of your care with precision and communicates closely with your surgical team throughout the entire process.
If you have been told that your bite issues are too complex for orthodontics alone, a consultation with Dr. Boller can help clarify your options and outline a realistic path forward.
TADs, Temporary Anchorage Devices
Temporary Anchorage Devices, commonly called TADs, are small, biocompatible titanium mini-screws that are temporarily placed in the jawbone to serve as fixed anchor points during orthodontic treatment. They give Dr. Boller a level of control over tooth movement that was previously only achievable through surgery.
In traditional orthodontics, moving one group of teeth requires anchoring against another group, which can limit what's achievable and sometimes cause unwanted movement of the anchor teeth. TADs eliminate this limitation by providing a stable, immovable point of anchorage directly in the bone, allowing precise, targeted movement of specific teeth without affecting others.
TADs are placed with a small amount of local anesthetic and are typically well-tolerated. They remain in place for the duration of the treatment phase that requires them, then are easily removed. Common applications include closing extraction spaces, correcting deep bites, moving molars, and avoiding the need for headgear or jaw surgery in select cases.
Functional Appliances
Functional appliances are orthodontic devices designed to harness the natural growth of the jaws and redirect it in a more favorable direction. They are most effective during the active growth years, typically between ages 8 and 14, when the bones are still developing and highly responsive to guidance.
One of the most commonly used functional appliances is the Herbst appliance, a fixed device that holds the lower jaw in a forward position relative to the upper jaw. Over time, this encourages the lower jaw to grow forward and the upper jaw to be restrained, correcting Class II (overbite) relationships that might otherwise require jaw surgery in adulthood.
Other functional appliances include palate expanders, which widen the upper arch to create space and correct crossbites, and various removable devices that guide jaw posture and muscle function. Dr. Boller carefully evaluates each patient's growth stage and jaw relationship to determine whether a functional appliance is appropriate and which type will deliver the best outcome.
By addressing jaw discrepancies during growth, functional appliances can significantly reduce the complexity of later treatment, and in many cases, eliminate the need for surgical correction entirely.
Lingual Orthodontics
Lingual orthodontics uses braces that are bonded to the inside (tongue-side) surfaces of the teeth rather than the outside, making them completely invisible from the front. For patients who require the precision and reliability of traditional braces but want a treatment that is entirely hidden from view, lingual braces offer a compelling solution.
Because lingual braces work from the inside of the arch, they are capable of treating the same range of cases as conventional braces, including complex bite corrections, rotations, and significant crowding, with no visible hardware whatsoever. This makes them particularly popular among adult professionals, performers, and anyone for whom visible orthodontic appliances are a concern.
Lingual braces do require an adjustment period, particularly for speech, as the tongue must adapt to the presence of the brackets on the inner surfaces. Most patients adjust within a few weeks. Dr. Boller will discuss whether lingual orthodontics is the right fit for your case and lifestyle during your consultation.
TMJ / TMD Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects your jaw to your skull, and it is one of the most complex joints in the human body. When this joint or the surrounding muscles become inflamed, strained, or misaligned, the result is a condition known as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
TMD can manifest as jaw pain or soreness, clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth, headaches, earaches, facial tension, and difficulty chewing. In many cases, bite misalignment, the way the upper and lower teeth come together, is a contributing factor. Orthodontic treatment that corrects the bite can reduce or eliminate the mechanical stress driving these symptoms.
Dr. Boller takes a thoughtful, conservative approach to TMJ/TMD concerns. She will conduct a thorough evaluation of your bite, jaw joint, and muscle function to determine whether orthodontic intervention is appropriate for your situation. When orthodontics is indicated, treatment is designed not only to improve the appearance of your smile but to establish a bite that functions comfortably and sustainably.
If you experience chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, or discomfort when chewing, a consultation with Dr. Boller can help determine whether your bite may be a contributing factor, and what options are available.
Accelerated Orthodontic Treatment
For patients who want to achieve their ideal smile in less time, accelerated orthodontic treatment offers a range of options that can meaningfully reduce the duration of treatment without compromising the quality of the result.
One of the most well-established approaches is high-frequency vibration therapy, using devices such as AcceleDent or VPro. These small, FDA-cleared devices are used for a few minutes each day and deliver gentle micropulses to the teeth and bone, stimulating the cellular activity that drives tooth movement. Studies have shown that consistent use can reduce treatment time by 30 to 50 percent in qualifying patients.
In select cases, minor surgical procedures such as corticotomy-assisted orthodontics or Propel can further accelerate movement by temporarily increasing bone turnover around the teeth. These procedures are minimally invasive and performed in coordination with a periodontist or oral surgeon.
Not every patient is a candidate for accelerated treatment, and the appropriateness of each method depends on the specifics of your case. Dr. Boller will evaluate your treatment plan and discuss whether accelerated options are a good fit for your goals and timeline.
Airway Orthodontics
Airway orthodontics is a whole-body approach to orthodontic care that recognizes the deep connection between jaw development, nasal breathing, and overall health. At Boller Orthodontic Arts, Dr. Boller considers airway health as an integral part of every treatment plan, not an afterthought.
The size and shape of the jaws directly influence the airway. A narrow upper arch, a retruded lower jaw, or a high palate can restrict the space available for the tongue and reduce the diameter of the airway, contributing to mouth breathing, snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, and in children, behavioral and developmental concerns associated with poor sleep quality.
By addressing jaw width and position early, particularly in children during their growth years, airway-focused orthodontics can expand the arch, encourage nasal breathing, and create the space the tongue needs to rest in its proper position. This not only improves the airway but often produces more stable orthodontic results, since the tongue serves as a natural retainer when positioned correctly.
For adults, airway orthodontics may involve coordination with sleep medicine specialists to address obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. Dr. Boller will take a thorough history and evaluate your airway as part of your consultation, and will discuss whether airway-focused treatment is relevant to your care.
