TREATMENTS
There Are Options for Everyone.
Every treatment plan we build starts from scratch. Not from a protocol, not from a template — from you. Here's what we offer, and who each option is built for.
5.0 Stars · Nearly 400 Google Reviews
Board-Certified Orthodontist
Serving Charleston Since 1984
Best of Charleston · 6 Consecutive Years
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation at age 7. We see why. Early treatment isn't about rushing anything — it's about catching the things that are easier to address now than later.
Early Care Shapes Everything That Follows
GROWING SMILES
EARLY INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT
The best orthodontic outcomes often start earlier than most families expect. Early interceptive treatment addresses developing issues in the teeth, jaw, and airway while a child is still growing, when we have the most ability to guide things in the right direction. Sometimes early treatment eliminates a problem entirely. Sometimes it makes later treatment simpler and shorter. Either way, the right time to look is before the window closes.
PALATE EXPANSION
A narrow upper jaw affects more than the alignment of the teeth. It affects the airway, the breathing, and the overall development of the face. Palate expansion creates space where the body needs it, gently and precisely, at the age when it's most effective. We offer several expansion approaches including MSE, MARPE, and DOME, each designed for specific clinical situations.
TEENS
Treatment That Fits an Active Life.
Teenage orthodontics isn't just about teeth. It's about building confidence at exactly the right moment. We offer options that work around sports, school, and everything in between.
TEEN ORTHODONTICS
Teenagers have specific needs that go beyond the clinical. They want to feel comfortable, they want to understand what's happening and why, and they want a provider who talks to them directly rather than through their parents. That's exactly how we practice. Dr. Bullwinkel talks to her teen patients, not just the adults in the room.
BRACES FOR TEENS
Traditional braces remain one of the most effective orthodontic tools available, and today's brackets are smaller, more comfortable, and more precise than ever. For complex tooth movement and bite correction, braces give us the control to achieve exceptional results. We'll tell you honestly when braces are the right choice and why.
SPARK ALIGNERS FOR TEENS
Spark clear aligner therapy offers an effective, nearly invisible alternative to traditional braces for patients whose clinical situation is well suited to aligner treatment. We're a top Spark provider, and we'll never recommend aligners when braces would produce a better outcome. The appliance should serve the treatment plan, not the other way around.
ADULTS
"It's Never Too Late." We Mean It.
More adults are choosing orthodontic treatment than ever before — and for good reason. Whether it's the smile you've always wanted or an airway concern you've lived with for years, we've built treatment plans for both.
ADULT ORTHODONTICS
A significant portion of our patients are adults, and some of the most rewarding treatment outcomes we see happen later in life. Whether you never had orthodontic treatment as a child, your teeth have shifted over time, or you're finally ready to address something that's bothered you for years, we'll build a plan around your goals, your timeline, and your life.
SPARK ALIGNERS FOR ADULTS
For adults especially, the discretion of clear aligner therapy is often a meaningful factor. Spark aligners are virtually invisible, removable for meals and important occasions, and highly effective for the right clinical situations. We'll tell you whether you're a good candidate at your consultation.
SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS
For patients with significant skeletal discrepancies affecting the bite, the jaw, or the airway, orthodontic treatment in combination with orthognathic surgery can achieve results that orthodontics alone cannot. We coordinate closely with trusted oral surgeons in Charleston and beyond to manage every aspect of combined surgical-orthodontic care from start to finish.
AIRWAY & JAW DEVELOPMENT
Where Orthodontics Goes Deeper.
The floor of the nose is the roof of the mouth. What happens in the jaw has a direct impact on how a child breathes, sleeps, and grows. We evaluate airway structure as part of every new patient exam — and build treatment plans that address it when it matters.
AIRWAY-FOCUSED ORTHODONTICS
The teeth are often the first visible sign of something happening at a deeper level. Mouth breathing, disrupted sleep, narrow jaw development, and crowding that appears earlier than expected can all be connected to the airway. We evaluate every patient with this in mind and offer a full range of airway-focused treatment approaches for children, teens, and adults.
MSE, MASPE, MARPE & DOME
Maxillary skeletal expansion uses a precisely designed palatal appliance to widen the upper jaw at the skeletal level, creating space for the teeth and improving nasal airway volume simultaneously. MSE, MARPE, and DOME are specific techniques within this category, each suited to different patient profiles and clinical situations. We'll explain exactly which approach makes sense for your situation and why.
SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS FOR AIRWAY
For adults or older adolescents with airway concerns rooted in skeletal structure, a combined orthodontic and surgical approach often provides the most comprehensive and lasting solution. If you've been managing symptoms without addressing their structural cause, this conversation may be worth having.
NOT SURE WHERE YOU FIT
That's Exactly What a Consultation Is For.
Most patients who come to us for the first time aren't sure which treatment is right for them. That's not a problem. That's the whole point of the conversation.
Your complimentary consultation includes a full clinical exam, 3D imaging, and a thorough review of your situation with Dr. Bullwinkel. You'll leave with a clear picture of your options, an honest recommendation, and no pressure to decide anything on the spot.