Types of Appliances
To successfully complete the orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient is cooperative in wearing the prescribed orthodontic appliance.
The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.
Herbst® Appliance
This 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.
Palatal Expander
The Rapid Palatal Expander, or RPE, expands or widens your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Dr. Gluck 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.
Lingual Arch
A Lingual Arch is an appliance that is placed in either the upper or lower arch to keep teeth from shifting when baby teeth are lost early. A thin wire bar connects the two sides of the arch and rests comfortably below the teeth.
Trans-Palatal Arch (TPA)
A Trans-Palatal Arch, or TPA, is an appliance that is placed in the upper arch where a heavy wire extends across the roof of the mouth and is banded to upper molars. This appliance is used for a variety of reasons including after palatal expansion to prevent relapse or to keep molars from drifting after extractions.
Bluegrass Appliance
The Bluegrass appliance is used to break thumb/finger-sucking habits. This appliance is very successful and will usually break the habit very quickly. The bluegrass will remain on for a short period of time after the habit is broken to prevent relapse.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. At the conclusion of your treatment, you will be instructed 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.
Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.
Clear Retainer
This retainer is vacuum-formed over the teeth after the braces are removed and typically worn on the upper teeth.
Hawley Retainer
This retainer is made of acrylic that is molded to your mouth and contains a wire to hold your teeth in position.
Lower Bonded 3-3 Retainer
This retainer is made of a small wire and is glued behind the lower six front teeth when the braces are removed. The wire is worn for as long as a patient wants their teeth “perfect.”
Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD)
A TAD is a miniature device that is temporarily fixed to the bone to help support the movement of teeth. TADs can eliminate the need for headgear or elastics and in certain cases may reduce treatment time or provide an alternative to surgical correction or implants. These devices are on the cutting edge of orthodontic treatment technology, and are relatively painless to place and remove.