Types of Appliances
Auxiliary Appliances
In addition to braces, various auxiliary appliances may be required to ideally complete treatment. Most of these appliances must be worn consistently to achieve the good results we all strive for and want. Because many of these auxiliary appliances are removable, it can sometimes be a challenge to wear them as consistently as required to gain the results you deserve. But if patients cooperate well with these auxiliaries, and with Dr. Fleming and his staff, good results in correction of the bite as well as dental alignment are highly likely. Some of the auxiliary appliances we use in conjunction with braces as described below.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth with each other (your bite). Please wear rubber bands as instructed! Rubber bands work well if they are worn as prescribed. But if elastics are worn poorly, or not worn at all, it results in being in braces noticeably longer - or worse - not achieving a good result!
Headgear
Headgear is sometimes used to treat patients whose teeth are in exaggerated "overbite" (with the upper jaw protruding too far forward of the lower jaw), or an "underbite" (with the lower jaw protruding too far forward of the upper jaw). Headgear either delivers an orthopedic force (a force applied to the jaws to help them grow better and improve the bite) and/or an orthodontic force (to move the teeth - also to improve the bite).
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst appliance reduces an overbite by encouraging the lower jaw to grow and develop forward, and the upper molars to move backward. This non-removable appliance is used mostly for younger, growing children, and is usually worn for about twelve to fifteen months.
Expanders
An expander "expands" (widens) the jaws by placing outward pressure on the back teeth. Dr. Fleming will instruct you how and when to adjust your expander. When the desired expansion is gained, Dr. Fleming and his staff will advise discontinuation of expansion. Even following the active expansion phase, an expander is usually worn for several more months to hold the expansion, and to prevent relapse.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, corrected positions after your teeth have been straightened. We will instruct you on how to care for your retainers, and about the duration of retainer wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent relapse.
Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.
Separators (or Spacers)
Separators are little rubber bands that are placed between your back teeth to push them apart slightly so orthodontic bands may be comfortably placed during your next appointment. Avoid sticky floods, toothpicks, and floss, as they may cause loss of your spacers.
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