| To successfully
complete the 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.
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of
your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed
because the rubber bands work far more efficiently
if they are worn as prescribed.
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.
This 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.
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.
Positioners 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 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 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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