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 has a similar effect to headgear and elastics in that it reduces overjet (commonly referred to as overbite). Unlike headgear and elastics, Forsus™ does not require compliance as it is connected to the orthodontic appliances.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite, with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw. Headgear gently “pulls” on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.
Protraction Facemask
Protraction Facemask is removable device used on young, growing patients to advance the upper jaw forward in order to correct a crossbite. Elastics are connected from a bar on the protraction facemask to an appliance in the mouth.
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.
MARA® Appliance
The MARA® 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.
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.
Transpalatal Arch
The Transpalatal Arch (TPA) is a wire that goes across (trans) the roof of the mouth (palate). It attaches onto bands or rings that are cemented onto the two upper first molar teeth. The TPA is removable and slides into tubes or sheaths on the inside of the bands.
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.
Biteplane or Gelb
Bite Plane or Gelb are removable appliances worn in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.
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.
Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD)
A temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a device that is temporarily fixed to bone for the purpose of enhancing orthodontic anchorage either by supporting the teeth of the reactive unit or by obviating the need for the reactive unit altogether, and is subsequently removed after use.
