Types of Appliances
Below is a list of appliances commonly used at Pappel Orthodontics. For each appliance there is a brief summary of the appliances, why they are used and how to take care when you have these placed.
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.
Space Maintainers
A space maintainer is a device used to keep a space open where a baby tooth has fallen out prematurely. Baby teeth may have been knocked out or lost in some kind of accident, lost from tooth decay, or might have been missing since birth. Space maintainers can preserve the space to help prevent abnormal movement of the other teeth in relation to that space.
Nance (Upper Space Maintainer)
Maintains space or holds the upper first permanent molars in place while the primary"baby teeth" grow in
Lingual Holding Arch (Lower Space Maintainer)
Maintains space or holds the lower first permanent molars in place while the primary"baby teeth" grow in.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite, with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw, or an underbite with the lower jaw forward of the upper jaw. Headgear gently "pulls" on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw. Headgear is typically worn sleeping and quiet time 10-12 hours.
Cervical Headgear
This keeps the upper jaw back while the lower jaw is free to grow forward
High Pull Headgear
This pulls the upper jaw and teeth up and back so they wlign with lower jaw and teeth
Protraction Headgear(Reverse-pull headgear)
This pushes against the forehead and chin to pull the upper jaw and teeth forward
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.
Download these helpful instructions in a printable PDF document.
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.
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.
Herbst® Appliance
The 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.
Forsus™
The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is an alternative to headgear which promotes growth in adolescents, helping to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery.
Twin Block Appliance
The twin block appliance is unique from other functional appliances, as it involves two separate appliances (one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch) working together to create an advanced lower jaw position. This patient-friendly appliance is worn full time, including while eating, though it is removable for easy hygiene. It is also more comfortable than other jaw-correcting appliances, as it is made out of smooth acrylic and utilizes fewer wires.
The result of using a twin block appliance is a broad, beautiful smile, proper jaw function, improved profile, and a stable and healthy temporomandibular joint.
Clear Retainers(Essix, Invisalign Retainer or Vivera Retainers)
Hawley Retainer
Lower Fixed Retainer (Glued in Retainer)
Gelb
Distal Jet
Habit Appliance
Quad Helix
TPA (Trans Palatal Arch)
Spring
