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Home » Patient Education » Types of Appliances

Types of Appliances

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

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Elastics use gentle force to move your top teeth into alignment with your bottom teeth.  Effective results require wearing the rubber bands as directed.

 

Forsus™

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A Forsus™ fatigue resistant device is a non-removable appliance that, like a headgear, corrects overbites and potentially eliminates the need for jaw surgery.

 

Headgear

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Headgear is a removable appliance that hooks into brackets attached to molar bands.  Headgears are used to correct overbites by gently pulling on teeth to prevent further forward movement.

 

Herbst® Appliance

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Herbst® fixed appliances are worn by younger children who are still growing for about 12 to 15 months. A Herbst™ appliance corrects an overbite by moving the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward.

 

Palatal Expander

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Palatal expanders are fixed devices that put light pressure on the upper molars to expand patients’ upper jaws. The expander has a key that enables the patient to make his or her own adjustments per your orthodontist’s instructions.

 

Positioners

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Positioners are removable appliances that are worn for a short period of time after your braces are removed. Positioners finish off your treatment by making slight adjustments.

 

Retainers

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Several types of retainers are used to hold your teeth in position after your braces are removed. Both fixed and removable retainers are available. Wearing retainers as instructed is critical to avoid regression.

 

Separators or Spacers

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Separators are small rubber bands that are sometimes used to create space between your back molars prior to braces. Separators are removed before you get your bands and braces.

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