To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. 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 describes the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.
Elastics (rubber bands)
Wearing elastics improve the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed and remember that they work far more efficiently if worn as prescribed.Click the image at right to view an animation of how elastics work.
View our Patient Care Video to learn more about clear elastic ties.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth have an over- or underbite. Headgear gently “pulls” on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.View our Patient Care Video to learn more
about headgear.
Herbst® Appliance/
Bite Jumping Springs
These appliances reduce overbites 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 to 15 months.
Palatal Expander
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 on when and how to adjust your expander. Once the desired expansion is achieved, the appliance will continue to be worn for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.
Positioners
Positioners complete the final tooth movements of orthodontic treatment. With full cooperation, these should only need to be worn four to eight weeks.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold teeth in their new, correct positions after they 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.View our Patient Care Video to learn more
about retainers. Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.
Separators or Spacers
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands can be placed at following appointment. The separators are removed before the bands are placed and do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks or floss.View our Patient Care Video to learn more
about separators.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you also have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a unique, colorful smile.View our Patient Care Video for a list of braces parts.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces are used most often on upper front teeth.Invisible (Clear) Orthodontic Appliances
Invisalign
These use a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are also removable, allowing you to eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Because they are removable, brushing and flossing is less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth. Lingual braces are 100 percent customized to match the shape of your teeth using metal appliances created exclusively for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors, musicians who play wind instruments and adult professionals.Back to Top