Types of Appliances

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)

Elastics are very important to the progress of your treatment. They provide the force or "pull" needed to move your teeth into a proper alignment to achieve an ideal bite. Before you leave the office, make sure that you understand where to place your elastics. You may need to use a mirror at first, but you will soon be able to change them without a mirror and with very little effort.

Changing teeth position with elastics

For elastics to be effective, they must be worn as close to 24 hours per day as possible, each and every day. Constant wear of your elastics is essential. If you forget to wear them for one day, the progress that you achieved for the last week may be lost. You can take your elastics off to eat, however this is not necessary. You will get your braces off faster and finish with a better result if you choose to wear your elastics while you eat. When you brush your teeth you should remove your elastics. You should change your elastics twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If you take out your elastics during the day (to eat or brush), you should use the same elastic in order to provide for the proper force levels recommended.

For the first few days of using the elastics your teeth will be sore. This is normal and expected. As soon as the teeth get used to the new pressure, the soreness will disappear. A pain reliever such as Tylenol might be helpful. As long as you continue to wear your elastics, the teeth will not be sore again. However, if you don’t wear your elastics each and every day, you may experience the one to two days of soreness again.

Make sure you have enough elastics before you leave the office. Take as many packs as you need. If you run out or lose them, come in and pick some up or call our office and we will mail some to you.

If you follow the basic instructions that we have given you and wear your elastics all day and all night, your treatment will progress as planned and you will be on your way to a beautiful, healthy smile!

Herbst® Appliance

This is a non-removable orthodontic functional appliance that is used for the treatment of an overbite. The Herbst appliance holds the lower jaw forward in a normal biting position by means of telescoping metal rods. The appliance creates a desirable facial change immediately and, even though the muscles of the face may appear tense at first, these muscles will soon relax.

Typically, the Herbst is worn for 12 - 18 months, with adjustments every six to eight weeks in order to accomplish the forward movement of the jaws in a physiologically acceptable manner. The last two months can actually create an underbite as the teeth may be overcorrected in anticipation of some relapse when the Herbst is removed.

At first the lips, cheeks and teeth may become sore. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol will help to relieve this discomfort. Since the upper and lower teeth do not usually fit together for the first two to four weeks, a softer diet is recommended for the adjustment period. Wax may be placed over any part that is irritating the cheeks. Attempt to dry off the area thoroughly with tissue before applying the wax, in order for the wax to remain on the appliance.

Please avoid hard, sweet and sticky foods. Brush your teeth and gums, the appliance and the areas around the appliance carefully and often. It is possible in some cases for the Rods to disengage by opening the mouth too wide. This can be corrected by opening wide again and reinserting the rods in the sheaths.

We truly appreciate and understand the difficulty you might have adjusting to the Herbst Rods. Once you have become accustomed to the appliance, we feel you will be very pleased with the rapid results. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.

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.

Click here for more information on how to care for your retainer.

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.

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