To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), headgear, or other appliances as prescribed.

The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (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.

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an "overbite", with the uppers forward of the lowers, or an "underbite" with the lowers forward of the uppers. Headgear gently "pulls" on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and Jaw.

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.

Forsus Appliance

Fixed spring appliance attached to braces to correct jaw and tooth mal relationships (the bite) . May require a day or two to become adjusted to appliance in the mouth, but reduces or eliminates the need for headgear or elastics. May be worn 5-7 months to attain correction.

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (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.

Specific instructions for Palatal Expanders

Hard and sticky foods are to be avoided such as caramels, gum, taffy, ice, and hard candy. Apples and carrots are OK if they are cut or sliced into manageable pieces. The appliance is to be tightened once or twice a day as instructed. There may be mild tooth sensitivity for a day or two and headache mediation is generally all that is needed to manage discomfort. Your speech may be affected for a day or two and there may be an increase in the amount of saliva in your mouth. These conditions will return to normal within a few days. Your expander is specially designed to widen your upper jaw and a space will soon develop between the upper front teeth. Don't panic as this indicates that the appliance is working . This space is only temporary.

Positioners

Positioners may be used to complete the final tooth movements in your orthodontic treatment. With your full cooperation, you should only need to wear the positioner appliance for 4-8 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.
Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.

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 or with toothpicks and floss. Soreness may be present for several days as the teeth move and can be controlled by whatever medication you may take for a headache. Count your separators each day, and if any are lost call the office to see if replacement is necessary.

Mini Screw Implant

Small surgical screw placed in bone structure to provide anchorage for moving teeth. These are temporary and removed when tooth movement has been completed.