Types of Appliances
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed, and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they're worn as prescribed.
Carriere® Motion Appliance
The Carriere Motion Appliance helps align mis-aligned back teeth before braces or Invisalign treatment begins. The Carriere Motion Appliance moves the upper and lower teeth for a more aligned bite. By aligning the bite before the transition to braces or aligners, total treatment time can be greatly reduced.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" (or 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.
Space Maintainer (Lingual Holding Arch)
A lingual arch is an orthodontic device, which is banded around the molars. It keeps the molars from migrating forward and prevents them from blocking off space of teeth that develop later. It is used when early loss of baby teeth or when lower teeth are slightly crowded.
Quad Helix
A quad helix is an appliance that is used to expand or widen out the upper teeth. A quad helix is used to correct a few different orthodontic problems. Some of those problems can include:
- A posterior crossbite
- Narrow or constricted upper arch
- Crowding of the upper teeth
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.
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, toothpicks, or floss.