Types of Appliances
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Our team will show you how to wear these elastics and draw a diagram for you. Elastics have to be worn 22 hours in a 24 hour period, every day/night (only taking them out to eat and brush your teeth) and changing them multiple times a day. Your teeth may initally be sore, but with consitent wear and great patient cooperation, the soreness will subside in a few days. Our team will also instruct you if we need to change the configuration of the elastics or when it is time to stop wearing them. Remember....rubber bands work wonders when worn as directed!
Forsus™
The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is an alternative to elastics which promotes growth in adolescents, helping to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander has been placed to create space needed for your permanent teeth. Each turn that you do opens the expander 1/4 mm. A space between your two front teeth will open up (DO NOT BE ALARMEND about the size). Our team will let you know how many turns are needed to create the exact space for you (you will recieve a book to keep track of your turns). We will schedule you an appointment for after your turns have been completed to start closing your space (your will remain in approximately 3 months after you have completed your turns).
Positioners
Positioners complete the final tooth movements in your orthodontic treatment. Our team will give you a handout with detailed wear/care instructions. Along with your full cooperation normally you can reduce your positioner wear time to just nights after about 4 to 8 months.
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.
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, toothpicks, or floss.