Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Rubber bands or elastics improve the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Remember that if you use rubber bands as directed, they will be much more successful.
Forsus™
By stimulating growth in teens and limiting the frequency of severe overbites, the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device may prevent the need for jaw surgery.
Headgear
Patients who have an overbite (upper jaw ahead of the lower jaw) or an underbite (lower jaw ahead of the upper jaw) may benefit from wearing a headgear device. Headgear works as a “pull” on your upper teeth and jaw, preventing them from growing forward any farther.
Herbst® Appliances
The Herbst® device is used to move the lower jaw forward and the upper teeth back. This fixed device is most often used in younger children and lasts about a year before having to be changed.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander “expands” your top jaw as you adapt by gently pushing on your upper teeth. When and how to modify the position of your expander will be determined by your orthodontist. Wearing the device for many months after reaching the desired expansion will aid in maintaining the expansion and preventing it from regressing.
Positioners
Positioners are utilized towards the end of your orthodontic treatment to move the last set of teeth. With your full cooperation, the positioner appliance should only be used for four to eight weeks.
Retainers
These devices might have removable or fixed retainers. These retainers maintain your teeth in their new positions after they have been straightened. Your orthodontist will give you advice on how to maintain and wear your retainer to keep it in excellent shape. If you follow the recommendations for wearing your retainer, you may be able to prevent treatment regression.
Separators
If you need separators to keep your teeth apart, your next appointment will entail the application of orthodontic bands. We’ll remove the dividers before we put the bands on. Separators do not like sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.
Twin Block Appliances
The twin block appliance combines two distinct appliances to create a more advanced lower jaw position (one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch). This device is patient-friendly and is worn all the time, even when eating, however, it may be removed for easy cleaning. It is also more comfortable than prior jaw-correcting devices because of its smooth acrylic material and fewer cables.
One of the advantages of a twin block appliance is that it improves one’s beauty while also maintaining one’s temporomandibular joint stability and health.
MARA Appliance
Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA) is the acronym for the therapy in orthodontics. It is not detachable and promotes the lower jaw to grow, eliminating the need for extractions or orthognathic surgery to treat severe overbites.
MARA may be secured to teeth using anchoring devices including bands and crowns. The lower attachments are held in place by the molars. The top attachments may be removed to meet your orthodontist’s treatment plan.
