Types of Appliances
To successfully complete the orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), headgear, or other appliances as prescribed.
The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.
Bite Plate
A type of removable retainer used when a patient has too much overbite. Many times when we place the braces on your bottom teeth, the upper teeth will bite on the braces. To prevent this from happening, we make a bite plate which keeps your teeth slightly separated when you bite.
Forsus® (Bite Corrector)
Springs placed between the upper and lower teeth to help the teeth and bite fit together.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they're worn as prescribed.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an "overbite," with the uppers forward of the lowers, or an "underbite" with the lowers forward of the uppers. Headgear gently moves your teeth into the proper position. Headgear also modifies jaw growth. Don't worry kids, headgear is only worn at home!
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst appliance reduces overbite by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward. This fixed appliance is used mostly for younger, growing children and is worn for about 9-12 months.
Invisalign®
An alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, custom-molded aligners. Invisalign can correct some, but not all, orthodontic problems.
MIROS (Growth Retainer)
A removable growth retainer that encourages growth of the lower jaw. It is also used to hold lower jaw growth.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time the expander is activated. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to activate your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the expander for several months to stabilize the expansion.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or permanent. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and the wearing instructions. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.
Separators or Spacers
Separators are little rubber bands that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.
Space Holding Arch
A wire placed on the inside of upper or lower teeth to hold or maintain tooth space.
