orthodontic appliances

A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.

Bands are a ring of metal, which fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental cement that contains fluoride to prevent any decalcification during treatment.

Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.

A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.

The Distal Jet is an appliance used on the upper teeth to fix a Class II bite (upper teeth forward of the lower teeth). The Distal Jet sits on the palate of the mouth and is banded to the molars. A spring attached to the acrylic body of the Distal Jet applies continuous force to the molars. This force is what moves the teeth to the back of the mouth. The treatment time for the Distal Jet is shorter than for other appliances that do the same job because it is a fixed appliance and maintains continual force against the teeth.

Elastics or rubber bands for braces help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. The orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.

The Fixed Palatal Expander is constructed with a palatal expansion screw whose metal arms are soldered to wire framework. The framework encircles all of the posterior teeth. The Fixed Palatal Expander is an excellent way to widen a narrow upper jaw.

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.

A Forsus appliance is used in order to help move the upper molars back while moving the lower jaw forward, thereby correcting a Class II malocclusion also referred to as an overbite. Composed of a spring coil rod, the appliance is attached to the braces which decreases the need for patient cooperation. You may notice some discomfort initially, so we recommend a soft food diet for the first few days after the appliance is placed. Regular anti-inflammatory medication may help with any pain, if needed. It is important to keep the appliance clean; you may do this by carefully brushing the coil and other metal pieces of the appliance with your toothbrush. Also, we recommend that patients not open their mouths extremely wide, as the appliance may come apart. If the Forsus appliance becomes disengaged from the tube on the upper molar, the patient can usually reinsert it on their own.

Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that orthodontists use as an alternative to traditional metal braces.

A device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouth guard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.

The Nance button is utilized to hold teeth in position to allow for the movement of other teeth. The impact of the button on the lower palate creates force on the back molars.

A gadget that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and / or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position while your jaw hardens and your teeth get strongly attached to your jaw. At first, you wear the retainer 24 hours a day, and then only at night.

Separators are tiny rubber bands or springs that your orthodontist places between your back teeth. These separators prepare your mouth for braces by creating a small gap between these teeth. This space allows for the placement of a metal band around your molar, which anchors your braces in your mouth.

The Transpalatal Bar (TPA) is a fixed appliance that is attached to bands on the upper molar teeth. The bar that sits across the roof of the palate fits into a soldered clip located on the bands.