Types of Appliances
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable plastic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners mostly invisible, but they are removable, so you can pretty much eat and drink what you want while in treatment. The aligners are comfortable, so there is less of a chance of getting mouth abrasions and brushing and flossing are less of a hassle during active orthodontic treatment.
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. Consistency is key!
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.
If a separator comes out in between your appointments, please call our office to see if you should come in to have it replaced. Otherwise, if you are unable to come to the office, you can click on the link below for instructions on how to replace the separators: https://youtu.be/6ixDYdcccEI
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your upper/lower jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper/lower molars each time an adjustment is made. The animation below 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.
Adjusting the palatal expander
You can also download these instructions in a printable PDF document.
Step 1
In a well-lit area, tip the patient's head back.
Step 2
Place the key in the hole until it is firmly in place.
Step 3
Push the key toward the back of the mouth. You will notice the fender will rotate and the new hole will appear. The rotation stops when the key meets the back of the expander.
Step 4
Press back and down toward the tongue to remove the key. The next hole for insertion of the key should now be visible.
Forsus™
The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is a fixed appliance to correct excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly avoid the need for jaw surgery in the future in teenagers.
Carriere Distalizer Appliance
The Carriere Distalizer is an orthodontic device developed to correct a bite without removing permanent teeth when teeth have erupted incorrectly. With an effect similar to headgear, but without the use of a bulky appliance, the Carriere Distalizer pushes upper teeth back to create a corrected bite prior to the addition of braces. How does the Carriere Distalizer work?
- First, your orthodontist will create an anchor point, most commonly with a lower Essex Appliance, a passive lingual arch, full mandibular fixed appliance, or mini-screws. A Carriere Distalizer arm is then attached to the upper teeth on both sides of your mouth.
- An elastic band is attached from the upper bar to the lower back molars and should be worn at all times except when eating.
- With good elastic wear, your bite can be corrected in a matter of months, depending on the severity of your case.
- When the Carriere Distalizer arms are removed, we will place upper braces to finish correcting your bite and aligning your teeth to the perfectly straight, ideal smile you've always wanted.
The Carriere® Motion™ Class III Appliance
The Motion Class III Appliance is a minimally invasive appliance that Dr. Van Allen may use to treat Class III malocclusions. Ideally, this is done to eliminate extractions, painful orthognathic surgery, or traditionally uncomfortable and obtrusive facemasks. The Motion Class III Appliance features a custom fit and gentle repositioning of the molar with no complicated springs, push rods, bands, or crowns. It provides predictable results and creates a harmonious, balanced profile, all while preserving your natural features.
The Carriere Motion Class III Appliance is used at the beginning of treatment before Dr. Van Allen places your braces or aligners. It helps reduce overall treatment time by several months, allowing you to spend less time in braces!
