Types of Appliances

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (or 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.

---

Forsus™

The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is an alternative to headgear which promotes growth in adolescents, helping to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery.

---

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite, with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw, or an underbite with the lower jaw forward of the upper jaw. Headgear gently "pulls" on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.

---

Facemask

A facemask creates a pushing/pulling forces to guide the teeth and jaws into correct jaw alignment. A facemask is designed to correct an under bite or a (Class III) problem. An under bite is characterized by the lower jaw biting over the upper jaw. Facemask therapy is often restricted to growing patients only.

---

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 12-15 months.

---

Holding Nance

The Holding Nance appliance to prevent upper molars from rotating or moving forward. This appliance consists of two bands and a wire. The two bands are cemented on the first molars while the band spans the palette of the mouth from one molar to the another.

---

Lingual Arch

The Lingual Arch appliance is used to preserve and create space in the lower arch and to aid in uprighting of the molars. The appliance is placed on the lingual side of the lower teeth.  As the lower baby molars are generally larger than the permanent teeth that will succeed them, the Lingual Arch helps to utilize this space to the patient’s best advantage.

---

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

---

Positioners

Positioners complete the final tooth movements in your orthodontic treatment. With your full cooperation, you should only need to wear the positioner appliance for four to eight weeks.

---

---

Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. 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 about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.

---

Separators or Spacers

Separators are little rubber doughnuts 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.