Orthodontic Appliances
While most people associate braces with orthodontics, we may use a variety of orthodontic appliances to achieve the best results. These include the following:
Palatal Expanders
A palatal expander is a stainless steel appliance that widens the upper jaw. Through a series of adjustments, the expander applies the gentle pressure need to move the upper jaw into the correct position.
Retainers (Fixed & Removable)
A retainer is an appliance that stabilizes the teeth in their current position. The 2 basic parts of a retainer are a custom-made acrylic bite plate and a stainless steel wire. It is very common for patients to wear a retainer after completing orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, Invisalign® or lingual braces.
Separators/Spacers
Separators are small rubber elastics that are used to create spaces between teeth. They exert a gentle outward pressure that forces two teeth away from each other. During orthodontic treatment, it is sometimes necessary to create space between teeth to allow for movement.
Headgear
Headgear is a device that corrects over bites in children by preventing the jaw from growing forward. The headband sits on the head, and attaches to the mouth via elastic or rubber bands.
Facemasks
A facemask is a device that corrects under bites in children by directing the jaw to grow forward. The frame sits in front of the mouth, and attaches to the mouth via elastic or rubber bands.
