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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Schwartz Removable Expanders

The Schwartz Appliance is a removable expansion appliance used on both upper and lower arch in order to expand the arch and create needed additional space for the permanent teeth. Treatment time in the Schwartz Appliance is approximately 12 months but will vary based on the individual needs of the patient. If both the upper and lower arches require expansion, we may use the Schwartz Appliances for both arches to create space when teeth are crowded.

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Removable Bite Plate

The Bite Plate is designed to correct a deep bite (when the upper front teeth come down too far over the lower front teeth). Initially, there may be an adjustment period and speech may be affected for a short period of time. When wearing your bite pate, it is normal if your back teeth do not meet all the way initially.  It may take a few weeks to completely adjust to your new bite plate.  For optimal results, the bite plate should be worn 24 hours a day and only removed for eating and brushing your teeth.  Depending on the amount of correction needed, the bite plate may be worn for 6 to 12 months.

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Clear Essix Retainer

Essix retainers are clear retainers that are worn following the removal of the braces. They are popular because they are nearly invisible. They are custom made for each patient following the removal of the braces or completion of Invisalign treatment.