Types of Orthodontic Appliances
Some smiles need a little extra help!
When Dr. Lu creates your personalized treatment plan, it may include additional orthodontic appliances to achieve beautiful results in the shortest amount of time.
What are orthodontic appliances?
Orthodontic appliances are specialized tools, used before or during braces or clear aligner treatment, to tackle orthodontic problems with more accuracy and efficiency. With a variety of different types of removable orthodontic appliances and fixed appliances, each one has its own purpose.
They can facilitate more efficient tooth movement, hold space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow, and support proper growth and development of the jawbones.
Palatal Expander
Palatal expanders are a common appliance used in early orthodontic treatment for children whose jaw bones are still developing. These appliances serve to widen the upper jaw to create the necessary space for teeth to erupt in a healthy alignment. Palatal expanders can help prevent crowding and impaction by guiding proper development of the jaw bone.
The rapid palatal expander (the most common type of palatal expander) is bonded to the upper molars on both sides of the top jaw, with a screw located in the center of the appliance. To activate the palatal expander, you’ll insert a special key to turn the center screw, which expands the device ever so slightly and widens the palate gradually over time.
If your child requires a palatal expander, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about cleaning it, activating it and caring for it.
Forsus™
The Forsus™ Fatigue Resistant Device treats overbites by creating a healthy alignment between the upper and lower teeth. This appliance uses springs to apply persistent pressure on the upper and lower teeth and create resistance, guiding the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward.
Once the appliance is in place, it shouldn’t require any maintenance until it’s removed. It’s important that you keep this appliance as clean as possible.
TADs
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are temporary dental implants embedded into the bone to create an “anchor” that assists with tooth movement. These appliances are generally used when certain teeth require shifting, and others don’t. TADs enable us to treat individual teeth with greater efficiency.
These anchorage devices appear as tiny metal buttons, strategically implanted into an area of the jaw bone. A small wire or elastic may be attached to the TAD to connect it with the specific tooth (or teeth) in need of treatment.
Teeth Separators or Spacers
Spacers, also called separators, are small rubber bands that help to create the space necessary for bands of appliances to be placed. A metal band is placed around the back molars to anchor the arch wires in place. In cases where the molars are too close together to allow these metal bands to be placed, separators may be used.
Separators are temporary appliances that are only worn for about one to two weeks before active treatment begins.
Nance Appliance
The Nance appliance is used to hold the upper molars in place, to prevent them from rotating or shifting forward. With this fixed orthodontic appliance, two metal bands are cemented around the first molars and a wire connects the back molars to an acrylic pad, located behind the two front teeth.
Lower Lingual Arch (Space Maintainer)
The lower lingual holding arch is a space maintainer used to hold the necessary space in the mouth for premolars to grow. It has metal bands that go around the two lower molars, with a metal wire spanning from the molars, around the inside of the bottom teeth.
The lower lingual arch appliance establishes the proper foundation that shapes the lower arch in a healthy alignment.
Quad-Helix Appliance
Quad-Helix Appliances widen the upper jaw with metal bands around the top molars and active helix springs lining the arch. These appliances are effective for treating crossbites and crowding; they can be removable or fixed, but they’re usually fixed and bonded to teeth..
CS®5
The CS®5 appliance is designed to correct complex bite issues and improve jaw alignment. This fixed appliance uses a combination of stainless steel bands and springs to guide the upper and lower jaws into a balanced position over time.
The CS®5 is typically used for patients who require significant bite correction and is often paired with braces for optimal results.
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst device treats overbites by shifting the lower jaw forward and the upper jaw backward.
The Herbst appliance is generally used for younger patients with growing mouths and can be used with or without braces (but is most often used with braces.) Made of stainless steel bands, the Herbst appliance wraps around the molars, applying pressure to the jaw bones to promote proper development and create a healthy jaw alignment.
We treat people, not just teeth.
If you or your kiddo requires any devices from this orthodontic appliances list, we’ll tell you everything you need to know and provide personalized care every step of the way.
Your first visit is on us! Come see us at our Alexandria orthodontic office for a complimentary consultation + smile exam. No pressure and no judgement, ever.
