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.
Bite Plane
A bit plane is a removable dental appliance used to cover the occlusal surfaces of the teeth so that they cannot be brought into contact. This appliance is used when your teeth overlap and cover your bottom teeth by a large amount. The purpose of the bite plane is to help open your bite and prevent you from biting off the bottom braces when you close down. If the bite plane is worn as instructed, the bite will improve and the overlap will lessen.
Instructions
- Please make sure you are wearing your bite plane 24/7 - even when you are eating and sleeping
- Brush and clean your bite plane after eating
- Bring your bite plane to every appointment
How to put your Bite Plane in
- Place it into the roof of your mouth (using one hand) - make sure that it is pushed all the way up
- With your other hand push up on the metal loop (on the right or left side) that is located in the back near your molar band. Refer to the picture above. When pushing the wires please do not use excessive force or bend them out of shape.
- Once one side is secure push the loop on the other side
How to remove the Bite Plane
- Push up and out on the loops that are located in the back near your molar bands.
Please note that you might have difficulty eating and speaking in the beginning. If worn as instructed the appliance use can typically be stopped within 3 months. Please give us a call if you have any questions! There is an additional fee if the bite plane is lost.
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.
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.
Carriere® Distalizer™
Creating a Corrected Bite Without Headgear. The Carriere Distalizer is an orthodontic device developed to correct a bite without removing permanent teeth when teeth have erupted incorrectly. With an effect similar to headgear, but without the use of a bulky appliance, the Carriere Distalizer pushes upper teeth back to create a corrected bite prior to the addition of braces
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. You will be able to brush but do not floss in the area where the separators have been placed. Please do not play with the separators or remove them.
If your separators come out more than a day before your appointment, call the office so that they can be replaced.
If you experience discomfort from these separators, use salt water rinses to soothe the gums. Take aspirin or tylenol to make you feel more comfortable.
Twin Block Appliance
The twin block appliance is unique from other functional appliances, as it involves two separate appliances (one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch) working together to create an advanced lower jaw position. This patient-friendly appliance is worn full time, including while eating, though it is removable for easy hygiene. It is also more comfortable than other jaw-correcting appliances, as it is made out of smooth acrylic and utilizes fewer wires.
The result of using a twin block appliance is a broad, beautiful smile, proper jaw function, improved profile, and a stable and healthy temporomandibular joint.
MARA Appliance
MARA stands for Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance. It is a non-removable appliance that encourages the growth of the lower jaw to help correct severe overbites and minimize the need for extractions or orthognathic surgery.
The MARA appliance is anchored to the molars with crowns, modified crowns, or bands. The lower attachments are fixed to the molars. The upper attachments are removable to enable your orthodontist to make adjustments according to your treatment plan.