Orthodontic Treatments in Birmingham & Grosse Pointe
Your Smile Has Options
At Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Gregory Hummon and Dr. Thomas Gebeck Jr. provide advanced, personalized treatment for patients of all ages.
Whether you’re interested in modern metal braces or you need surgical intervention for your smile, you’ll get what you need at our practice.
Cleft Lip & Palate Help
When a child is born with craniofacial abnormalities such as cleft lip or cleft palate, orthodontic care is essential to guiding long-term jaw and facial development. Dr. Hummon and Dr. Gebeck are experienced in collaborating with craniofacial teams to support functional outcomes.
Expert Support for Complex
Craniofacial Needs
Early orthodontic intervention can help widen the palate, align teeth, and prepare the jaw for future surgeries if necessary. We may use appliances like expanders or face masks to help develop the upper jaw and improve nasal breathing.
Dr. Hummon or Dr. Gebeck monitor growth and tailor the orthodontic approach in coordination with your child’s larger medical team to create a foundation for future oral health and overall well-being.
Surgical Orthodontics for Complex Cases
Some orthodontic concerns stem from skeletal imbalances that cannot be resolved with braces or aligners alone. In these cases, surgical orthodontics may be recommended in partnership with an oral surgeon.
Comprehensive Support for Jaw Surgery
Dr. Hummon and Dr. Gebeck are skilled at identifying patients who may benefit from corrective jaw surgery. They’ll conduct a full diagnostic workup using digital imaging, clinical evaluation, and growth projections to assess the best path forward.
If surgery is needed, our team will work closely with your oral surgeon to ensure your orthodontic care is precisely timed and integrated with the surgical plan—for a smooth process and optimal final result.
Dentofacial Orthodopedics For Growing Smiles
Dentofacial orthopedics focuses on guiding jaw growth during childhood and adolescence to correct imbalances early. This proactive approach is often part of Phase 1 treatment, which may begin as early as age seven.
Our team looks for signs like underbites, crossbites, narrow arches, or habits like thumb-sucking that may indicate a need for orthopedic care. Addressing these issues early often reduces the need for extractions or surgery later.
By influencing jaw development at the right time, Dr. Hummon and Dr. Gebeck help create space for erupting teeth and support long-term facial balance.
Palate Expanders
Palate expanders are used to widen the upper jaw, correcting crossbites and creating room for adult teeth. This treatment is most effective before the mid-palatal suture fuses, typically around age 12.
Headgear
Headgear helps modify jaw growth and tooth position in growing children. It’s often used to guide upper jaw development or slow lower jaw growth in patients with significant bite imbalances.
Habit Control Appliance
Habit appliances are designed to discourage behaviors like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Left untreated, these habits can alter jaw growth and tooth position. These appliances offer a gentle but effective way to support proper development.