Braces & Invisalign Experts in Kahului & Pukalani
Options for Every Smile
At Maui Orthodontics by Bonham and Bonham, Dr. Paul Bonham and Dr. Aurelia Bonham are experts in craniofacial growth and development in growing patients and are proud to offer the best in braces, Invisalign, and more to Maui families from our Kahului and Pukalani offices. Whatever the treatment, the best option for your smile is with Maui Orthodontics.
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)
If your orthodontist needs a little extra control and precision for your treatment, they may use TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) to give your teeth a boost.
These small devices are like tiny, fixed guides that help move specific teeth exactly where they need to go without moving the neighboring teeth.
What Are TADs?
TADs are very small titanium screws that Dr. Aurelia or Dr. Paul places gently in a specific spot of the mouth to support tooth movement. They act as a secure, fixed point for your braces or aligners to push against, applying force just where it’s needed.
Once they’ve done their job, it’s a simple process to remove them so your treatment can proceed uninterrupted.
Why Might We Use TADs?
Some tooth movement can be harder to achieve with braces or aligners alone. TADs can help guide teeth into their ideal positions without affecting neighboring teeth. This can make treatment much more predictable and efficient.
Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia might recommend TADs if your smile needs more advanced correction, better bite control, or added support for targeted movement. They’re just one more way we tailor treatment to your needs, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dentofacial Orthopedics
Dentofacial Orthopedics is all about how the teeth, jaws, and facial bones grow together. Dr. Aurelia and Dr. Paul use this approach to guide your kids’ jaw development early and build the foundations for a strong, healthy bite.
What Is Dentofacial Orthopedics?
Dentofacial Orthopedics looks beyond just straight teeth. Our orthodontists will track your child’s jaw development, how their bite fits together, and how facial growth shapes their long-term oral health and function.
By guiding growth at the right stage, Dr. Bonham and Dr. Bonham can improve the relationship between your child’s upper and lower jaws and create room for teeth to come in the right way. That early guidance can reduce the likelihood of more complex problems later on.
The Benefits of Early Treatment
Dr. Paul, Dr. Aurelia, and the American Association of Orthodontists all recommend that every child see an orthodontist around age seven. Most kids won’t need early care, but in around 10% of patients, it can make a real difference.
Since your child’s teeth and jaws are still in the early stages of growth, if any issues are detected, they are likely to respond very well to early treatment. This applies to issues such as crowding, bite problems, and jaw imbalance.
Dentofacial orthopedics treatment can also help address issues such as narrow arches, crossbite, protruding teeth, and jaw growth imbalance. Stepping in at the right time can have a big impact. It can simplify and, in some cases, even reduce the need for treatments later on.
Airway Expansion Treatment
Your orthodontic health and your airway can have more to do with one another than you might think. When necessary, Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia can use expansion airway-centered treatment to create more room in the upper jaw and support healthy facial development.
What Is Airway Expansion Treatment?
This approach to orthodontic care focuses on widening a narrow upper jaw to improve balance in your or your child’s bite and create the space a growing child needs for healthy development.
As their upper jaw develops, it can affect the way your child’s teeth fit together and how their mouth functions. Guiding that development early allows your orthodontist to address issues at a stage when their growth offers us the most flexibility and control.
How Airway Expansion Helps
A narrow upper jaw can contribute to crowding, crossbites, and other developmental issues that affect comfort and function. Expansion creates space for the tongue, supports facial growth, increases airway space, and helps set the stage for a more stable, balanced smile.
This type of early treatment can also support better oral posture and more efficient function as your child grows. When we identify the right opportunities, we can guide the development of their airway to support long-term smile health and overall facial balance.
Frequently Asked Questions in Kahului & Pukalani
- Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia have the additional training necessary to prevent, diagnose, and treat irregularities in tooth and jaw alignment.
- Orthodontists are experts when it comes to using braces, Invisalign, and other options to straighten your teeth and give you a healthy and stable bite.
- Great orthodontic care leads to a lifetime of good oral health, and relying on an expert like Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia is the best way to ensure your whole family has a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.
A healthy, attractive smile can give you a serious boost in confidence. But the benefits go further than how you look and feel.
Straight teeth matter to:
- Make it easier to brush and floss effectively, improving oral hygiene
- Put a stop to uneven wear and erosion of your teeth’s enamel
- Stop teeth grinding
- Improve the health and behavior of your teeth for better chewing and speaking
- Slow down the breakdown of jawbones, preventing pain and tooth loss
- Spread bite forces evenly along the teeth and jaws to reduce TMJ pain, headaches, and migraines
- Lead to better breathing and reduce the possibility or severity of sleep apnea when combined with a surgical plan
- Create balance in the structure of your facial bones
- Make room for implants in cases of missing teeth
Dr. Aurelia, Dr. Paul, and the American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child visit an orthodontist at around age seven. This lets them observe your child’s tooth and jaw development and let you know when it’s time to start treatment.
Early intervention can make future treatment much easier and even potentially avoid the need for surgery or extractions if red flags are noticed early.
No. While we always accept and appreciate referrals, you don’t need one to see us. Simply book your free consultation online or by calling our Kahului or Pukalani office.
Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia are both certified specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Paul Bonham earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Master of Science in Orthodontics, and Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Aurelia Bonham earned her Master of Science in Orthodontics and Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Oklahoma after completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry. She also pursues advanced education to stay current with evolving orthodontic techniques and technology.
While it’s never too late for orthodontic treatment to make a difference, orthodontic treatment as a child or teen will help you achieve more dramatic results in less time. In some cases, putting off treatment could even lead to the need for surgery or extractions.
You’ll meet with Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia and the Maui Orthodontics team. Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia will examine your teeth, jaws, and facial structure, and a team member will take digital photos and X-rays.
Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia will review that information, explain your diagnosis, and walk you through your treatment options. We’ll also talk about your goals, answer your questions, and discuss cost so you leave with a clear understanding of your next steps.
To get started, call our Kahului office at 808-871-6571 or our Pukalani office at 808-793-3026, or fill out the form below to schedule your visit.