Helping Children Breathe, Sleep, and Grow Better

At Dr. Kellye Rice’s office, we prioritize your child’s overall health and wellness, not just their teeth. Early detection and treatment of airway and sleep-related issues can set children up for healthier growth, better rest, and stronger smiles. Our comprehensive approach includes advanced CBCT imaging, airway-focused orthodontics, and minimally invasive treatments that support your child’s development.

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Helping Children Breathe, Sleep, and Grow Better

At Dr. Kellye Rice’s office, we prioritize your child’s overall health and wellness, not just their teeth. Early detection and treatment of airway and sleep-related issues can set children up for healthier growth, better rest, and stronger smiles. Our comprehensive approach includes advanced CBCT imaging, airway-focused orthodontics, and minimally invasive treatments that support your child’s development.

Schedule Appointment

Airway Orthodontics

Frenectomies (Tongue & Lip Tie Release)

CBCT Imaging Technology

Schedule a Children’s Airway Consultation (615) 647-9027

Airway Orthodontics

Guiding Growth with Airway Orthodontics and Expansion

Early orthodontic treatment systems allow patients to begin on their path to being the best version of themselves. Typically recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 15, the systems we provide are by themselves or used in combination with traditional orthodontics and expansion. These innovative orthodontic systems and expansion techniques promote natural jaw and airway development and move crowded and crooked teeth into proper alignment while addressing sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, and mouth breathing. Our philosophy in early orthodontics and expansion is based on non-extraction orthodontics, and our orthodontic treatments are designed using a functional method that does not involve tooth extractions. We focus on the entire oral facial system, concentrating on facial growth and development-guided therapy through orthodontics and expansion.

Our Philosophy

Orthodontic treatment does so much more than create beautiful, straight smiles. As a practice focused on sleep apnea and airway health, we strive to not only improve the appearance of your child’s smile, but also to enhance their overall health through orthodontics and expansion. When children breathe better, they sleep better and when they sleep better, they thrive.

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Would Your Child Benefit from Airway Orthodontics or Expansion?

At Dr. Kellye Rice’s office, we take sleep apnea and airway health seriously. We provide a comprehensive assessment and a customized treatment plan before recommending any orthodontic appliances, expanders, or procedures.

Symptoms to Watch For:

  • Mouth breathing
  • Snoring
  • Chronic ear or sinus infections

  • Poor school performance

  • Constant lethargy

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Rapid shallow breathing

  • Bedwetting

  • Hyperactivity

  • Nighttime restlessness

  • Difficulty focusing

  • Impatience or moodiness

Benefits of Early Orthodontics

Quality sleep.

Airway orthodontics can help children get better quality sleep to feel rested and have more energy.

Improved health.

The improvements in breathing due to airway orthodontics can improve a child’s overall health and wellness.

Prevent or reduce future orthodontic treatment.

When airway orthodontics is applied at the right time, it can reduce or even prevent the need for future traditional orthodontic treatment.

Promote proper development of the jaw and face.

Guiding the growth of the jaw starting in early childhood can treat existing problems with breathing and help the facial structure develop properly.

Our daughter has seen incredible growth and change on our expansion journey with Dr. Rice.

Her nighttime breathing and overall rest has greatly improved, as well as her daytime attention. We are so thankful for the wisdom and customized plans Dr. Rice offers.

— Allison M.

Treatment Phases

Phase 1 Orthodontics and Expansion

Phase 1 Orthodontics is the first step in the orthodontic process towards a child’s healthiest smile, this process is recommended when a child still has some of their baby teeth and before all their permanent teeth have erupted. Phase 1 orthodontics uses expanders, aligners, and braces specifically designed for oral, jaw, and airway correction, as well as guidance, leading to proper growth and development. Orthodontics will ultimately achieve a great aesthetic outcome; however, the goal in Phase 1 orthodontics and expansion is to develop a solid foundation to move forward into Phase 2.

PHASE 1 ORTHODONTIC & EXPANSION SYSTEMS:

  • Expanders:  Palatal or maxillary expanders widen the upper jaw to make room for crowded teeth by stimulating the mouth and jaw to grow properly. Expanders, used as part of an orthodontic and expansion treatment plan, not only assist with expanding the upper jaw and straightening teeth but will also improve chewing function, mouth breathing, and nasal stuffiness and prevent dental problems later in life.
  • Vivos growth guides:  Straighten teeth and improve airway function for better sleep and breathing through guided expansion and growth support.
  • MyoBrace®:  Myobrace® removable appliance employs myofunctional techniques to address poor muscular habits that can be the underlying causes of crooked teeth and the need for expansion.

Phase 2 Orthodontics

Phase 2 treatment systems are provided after the jaws have been developed, early treatment and expansion has been completed, and all or most of a child’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase 2 addresses esthetics, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, overall misalignment, function, and stability. At this time, metal braces or Invisalign would be recommended.

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Phase 2 Orthodontic Systems:

  • Invisalign® and Candid Pro

  • Carriere® Bracket System
  • Nuvola Aligners

Nuvola Aligners

Designed to intercept and help growing patients

Nuvola aligners can also support early orthodontic intervention that promotes healthier airflow and jaw development in children. Their gentle, adaptable design makes them a comfortable choice for young patients who may struggle with traditional appliances. By guiding the growth of the dental arches, Nuvola can help create space for proper tongue positioning and improved breathing patterns. The aligners are customized using detailed digital scans, allowing for precise planning throughout each stage of development. As part of a comprehensive airway-focused approach, Nuvola helps encourage long-term oral and breathing health while aligning the smile.

Commonly Asked Questions About Airway Orthodontics

We’re answering some commonly asked questions about airway orthodontics for children.

How can orthodontic treatment improve breathing?

The goal of traditional orthodontics is to create straight teeth. However, modern orthodontic technology also allows dentists to change the shape of the jaw in coordination with moving teeth, allowing for better breathing.

How can your tongue relate to jaw development and airway health?

The strength and position of your tongue directly influences the size and shape of your jaw and airway. Tongue ties, diet changes, and muscle weakness can all impact airway health.

How is ADHD tied to airway orthodontics?

Interrupted sleep from airway issues can cause hyperactivity and lack of focus, mimicking ADHD. Correcting airway issues can reduce these symptoms.

What treatments are included in airway orthodontics?

Includes myofunctional appliances, braces, Invisalign, expanders, and therapy to optimize airway development.

What is the ideal age for airway orthodontics?

Children of all ages can benefit, but earlier is easier and more effective.

Is orthodontics covered by insurance?

Many treatments are covered at least partially; check with your provider.

Frenectomies (Tongue & Lip-Tie Release)

Improving Function with Gentle Laser Frenectomies

When the frenum (band of tissue under the tongue or lip) is too short, thick, or tight, movement is restricted. This can affect feeding, speech, growth, and airway health. Dr. Rice provides gentle frenectomies using the Fotona LightWalker laser.

Benefits:

  • Improved speech development

  • Better tongue and lip function
  • Support for airway and orthodontic health
  • Better sleep and reduced snoring
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Commonly Asked Questions About Frenectomies

We’re answering some commonly asked questions about tongue & lip-tie release.

Why would a child be recommended to have a frenectomy?

Children may need this procedure if they experience speech difficulties, mouth breathing, dental hygiene challenges, gum recession, reflux, orthodontic appliance discomfort, or airway issues.

Is a laser frenectomy safe?

Yes. Patients wear protective eyewear, and the laser has analgesic properties. Local anesthetic may be used.

What is recovery like?

Most children experience minimal discomfort and improved tongue function almost immediately. They can resume regular activities quickly, though spicy foods should be avoided until fully healed.

CBCT Technology

Safe, Precise Imaging with Vatech Green2 CBCT

At Dr. Kellye Rice’s office we prioritize our patients’ dental and overall health. Our Vatech Green2 CBCT technology allows us to conduct comprehensive scans for a thorough analysis, enabling us to provide the best possible care. This equipment is safe enough for children due to its extremely low radiation.

Benefits:

  • Less radiation than standard X-rays

  • Approved for children
  • Fewer scans needed, with greater detail
  • 150–200 high-resolution images in under a minute
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What It Detects:

  • Airway and sleep issues

  • Sinus health
  • TMJ concerns
  • Tooth fractures, decay, root issues
  • Growth and development delays
  • Planning for orthodontics and implants
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Commonly Asked Questions About CBCT Scans

We’re answering some commonly asked questions about CBCT technology.

What is Vatech Green2 CBCT?

A 3D X-ray scanning system that gives a comprehensive view of teeth, jaw, airway, and more.

What is the process?

The scan takes 20–40 seconds while the machine rotates around the patient, capturing images.

Do I need to prepare?

Remove jewelry, glasses, and metal objects before the scan.

Who interprets the results?

Dr. Rice reviews and explains results during the visit, and may send to a radiologist if needed.

dr kellye rice bio photo

Dr. Kellye Rice

Since opening her practice in 1986, Dr. Kellye Rice has loved helping patients sleep better in the Brentwood area. She utilizes advanced technology such as laser dentistry combined with a holistic approach to your oral and overall health to address your sleep problems.

Located conveniently near CoolSprings Galleria, Dr. Kellye Rice has been in practice since 1986. She is passionate about staying on top of the latest patient treatment techniques and technology. As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), she has access to educational resources and practice management tools to better serve her patients. In addition, the AADSM has recognized her as part of a qualified category of dentists with above-average education and experience to treat certain sleep apnea conditions. Her use of laser dentistry and oral appliance treatment has produced great results for her patients.

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