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.
Reverse Pull Headgear
This appliance is typically used in young patients to correct an underbite. It encourages growth of the upper jaw to reduce the discrepancy when the lower jaw is ahead of the upper one. This appliance is typically worn between 12 to 14 hours/day and the overall wear is usually between 12 to 18 months, depending on the severity of the bite.
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.
Motion 3D Class II Appliance
The Motion 3D Class II Appliance is designed to help the lower jaw move forward to correct an overbite.
Motion 3D Class III Appliance
The Motion 3D Class III Appliance helps the lower jaw move backward to correct an underbite.
Schwarz Appliance
The Schwarz appliance is a removable lower expansion appliance. It works by uprighting the lower posterior teeth which helps to make more space for the lower front teeth. This appliance is typically used in a young growing patient and is worn for a few months prior to starting with an upper expander (please see above).
