To achieve the desired results from braces or Invisalign® treatment at our Millbrook, Wetumpka, or Montgomery orthodontist office, you may wear an orthodontic appliance before, during or after treatment!
There are a number of orthodontic appliances with a number of uses. Orthodontic appliances are effective for facilitating more efficient tooth movement, holding space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow, and/or helping to support proper growth and development of the jaw bones.
The Forsus™ Fatigue Resistant Device, treats overbites by promoting 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, shifting 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.
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.
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!
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.
Spacers, also called separators, are small rubber bands that help to create the space necessary for braces to be placed. With braces, 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.
The Nance appliance is used to hold the upper molars in place, to prevent them from rotating or shifting forward. With this 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.
The reverse-pull headgear (facemask) is an incredibly effective appliance used to promote proper alignment of the jaw bones for young kids. It works by pulling the upper jaw forward. This appliance treats underbite conditions that may otherwise require jaw surgery to correct. This appliance can be incredibly helpful for young patients, ages 7-10.
A banded bite plate serves to correct a deep bite (overbite) condition. This appliance fits behind the upper, front teeth, and disables the rear teeth from meeting when the mouth is closed, which allows these posterior teeth to develop properly. Over several months, the deep bite will become corrected!
The lower lingual holding arch is a space maintainer that uses metal bands around the two lower molars, with a metal wire spanning from the molars, around the inside of the bottom teeth. Used to hold the necessary space in the mouth for premolars to grow, the lower lingual arch appliance establishes the proper foundation that shapes the lower arch in a healthy alignment.
Quad-Helix Appliances widen the upper jaw with metal bands around the top molars and active helix springs lining the arch. These appliances are usually fixed, and they are effective for treating crossbites and crowding.
The Pendulum Appliance and Distal Jet is hidden in the roof of the mouth and used to shift the molar teeth to create the necessary room for other teeth to erupt in alignment. This appliance treats crowding and various bite misalignments by using metal bands around the back molars, wires bonded to the middle teeth, and an acrylic plate that rests behind the front teeth.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Dr. Dunn, Dr. Schreiber, and our experienced team are here to guide you and support you along your treatment process, while you achieve the perfect smile.
Ready to get started? Request your complimentary exam at our conveniently located orthodontist offices in Wetumpka, Millbrook, or Montgomery today!
