Other Appliances

Bite Plate

A bite plate is a removable acrylic retainer that is used to correct a deep bite. A bite plate also helps prevent the lower front teeth from hitting the roof of the mouth, which can cause sores. A bite plate should be worn as instructed and removed when brushing, eating or swimming.

Carriere

A Carriere may be used to correct how back teeth bite together. A Carriere works by moving upper teeth backwards into their correct position, usually before braces are placed on your teeth. A Carriere is attached to the upper teeth and an elastic band is attached from the Carriere to a hook on the lower. Within a few months, this process slowly moves the teeth into their proper biting position.

Crossbite Appliance

A crossbite appliance is a retainer appliance using a special “spring” within it to gently move teeth. It is removable, but should be worn at all times except when brushing teeth, eating or swimming.

Elastics

Successful orthodontic treatment primarily depends on two things: constant pressure and time. Sometimes it takes added force to move teeth and jaws into their correct positions. Elastics, also called rubber bands, have the pull to make that happen. But they won’t work without the patient’s help. To achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you’re working for, you must carefully follow your orthodontist’s instructions about which hooks on your appliances you should place the rubber bands. At first, the elastics may cause your teeth to be sore, but the more you wear them, the soreness will lessen as teeth will keep moving.

Forsus

A Forsus appliance is used to correct more severe overbites that cannot be corrected with elastics alone. The Forsus is used in conjunction with traditional braces and is affixed to the upper and lower brackets and wires. The appliance uses a spring mechanism to push the upper teeth back and lower teeth forward. It can be worn on one or both sides of the mouth, and is typically left in place for 3-6 months or until the bite is fully corrected.

Headgear

If your child is still growing and has an overbite, headgear can help modify the jaw’s growth pattern. Headgear helps control the growth of the upper jaw while the lower jaw continues to grow naturally. Headgear can be worn either prior to or in conjunction with braces. Headgear is worn a minimum of 12 hours per day or as instructed.

Expander

Expanders are needed when a patient has a narrow upper jaw or crossbite. The expander is fixed to the upper molars and a special key is used to turn a screw once a day in the center of the appliance. The gradual pressure on the two halves gently widens the upper arch until the proper width is established.

Removable Retainers

A retainer is worn to stabilize the results of orthodontic treatment and prevent teeth from shifting. There are two types of retainers: removable and permanent.

Removable retainers are meant to be worn every night forever. Teeth, unfortunately, are not set in stone, but rather in bone that will change over time. It is very important to be consistent with retainer wear.

Bonded Retainers

Permanent retainers are fixed wires that are connected to the inside of the front teeth. These retainers are often placed on teeth that are more susceptible to movement after treatment. Removable retainers are still worn over permanent retainers. Permanent retainers require extra care when brushing and flossing.

 

Soft tissue laser

Our practice offers diode soft-tissue laser treatment to painlessly remove gum tissue. This procedure can uncover teeth that are slow to erupt, give symmetry to uneven gum contours or remove overgrown gum tissue to allow for more tooth display.

Space Maintainer

A space maintainer is often necessary when a baby tooth falls out before a permanent tooth is ready to take its place. Other times, a tooth doesn’t come in at all or needs to be removed due to severe tooth decay. In these cases, a space maintainer is used to hold the space for the permanent tooth to be guided into its proper place.

Splint

A splint, or night guard, is an orthopedic jaw repositioning appliance often used to treat patients experiencing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms. When properly adjusted, a splint does not move teeth, but will reposition the jaw into a stable position, helping muscles that are in spasm relax and possibly reduce pain.

TAD

A temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a small, screw-like dental implant that is placed in the bone of the jaw to allow for stable anchorage of orthodontic forces. Placing and removing TADs is minimally invasive and pain free. TADs may be used to close large dental spaces, reduce “gummy” smiles or correct deep bites. Unlike traditional dental implants, TADs are easily inserted and removed. They are left in place as long as necessary to achieve the desired outcome.