
To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work
together with the orthodontist. The 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 paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used
during your treatment.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth.
Wear rubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently
if they are worn as prescribed.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an “overbite,” (with
the uppers forward of the lowers) or an “underbite” (with the lowers
forward of the uppers). Headgear gently “pulls” on your teeth to
restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst appliance reduces overbite 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 12-15 months.
MARA Appliance
MARA (Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance) is used similarly to Herbst appliance. Just like Herbst it reduces overbite by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward.
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 about when and how to adjust your expander.
When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the
appliance for several
months to solidify
the expansion and to prevent regression.
Positioners
Positioners complete the final tooth movements in your orthodontic treatment.
With your full cooperation, you should only need to wear the positioner appliance
for 4-8 weeks.
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.
Retainer Care
- Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating... and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors.
- Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
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 or with toothpicks and floss.