Types of Appliances
To successfully complete your 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.
Bionator
A bionator is a removable appliance that is used to stimulate growth of a small lower jaw. This appliance is particularly effective in young, growing patients with large overjets and excessive overlapping of the upper and lower incisor teeth.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.
Forsus (Bite Corrector)
Also called the “invisible headgear,” this appliance is used to correct a large overjet without the use of headgear. Because the Forsus appliance is attached to your braces, it works 24 hours a day and corrects the bite faster than traditional headgear.
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 “pulls” on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander “expands” (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 about six additional months to solidify the expansion and to minimize relapse.
Pendulum Appliance
A pendulum appliance is used to push your upper molar teeth back in the arch, to create space for crowded teeth or to reduce a large overjet.
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 relapse of your treatment.
Separators (or Spacers)
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that are 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. While separators are in place, you should not eat sticky, chewy foods, or use floss or toothpicks. Otherwise the separators may become dislodged and fall out.
