Doctors Center
100 Amesbury St. - Suite 110
Lawrence, MA 01840
Fax: 978-686-8075
978-686-3838
Types of Appliances
To successfully complete the orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the doctors and orthodontic staff. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient properly cares for their braces and 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. See our Instructions section for appliance use and care.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the relationship of your upper and lower teeth. Many times rubber bands are used to close spaces or settle the bite. The patient is responsible for wearing these elastics as instructed to ensure the proper treatment result and to avoid delays in treatment time. Compliance with the recommended elastic wear schedule will assure the best results in the shortest amount of time.
Headgear and Reverse Pull Face Mask
A headgear can be utilized for patients whose teeth/jaws are in an "overjet" relationship, (the upper teeth are forward of the lower teeth) while a reverse pull face mask may be used when there is an "underbite" relationship (the lower teeth are forward of the upper teeth). Headgear and face masks gently "pull" or "push" on your teeth to change the growth pattern of your teeth and jaws.
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst appliance reduces overjet by advancing the lower jaw to a more forward position. This fixed appliance is used mostly for growing children and is worn for about 9-12 months as a part of the treatment plan.
Palatal Expander
A palatal expander is used to widen the upper jaw by using your teeth as a "handle" to apply pressure across the growing site in the middle of the roof of the mouth. This appliance is worn for 3-6 months to achieve the desired expansion and to insure the stability of the correction.
Retainers
Retainers are placed at the completion of orthodontic treatment. Retainers may be removable or fixed. They are designed to hold your teeth in their new, correct positions. When orthodontic appliances are first removed teeth are mobile and prone to shifting from occlusal forces. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.
Separators (or Spacers)
Separators are little rubber rings that are placed between the teeth to push them apart to create space for the orthodontic bands. The separators are removed before we place the bands.