Other Orthodontic Appliances
 Most commonly used in growing patients. They can be applied more slowly with adult patients or sometimes in combination with a surgical procedure. Expanders are cemented usually but can be made in a removable form too (if you promise not to lose it!). The expander has a small keyhole, that when turned backwards will expand the roof of your mouth out laterally. This is considered an orthopedic correction, used to treat crossbites and can be made for lower teeth, as well. |  This appliance is used to prevent drifting of back molar teeth when the baby teeth in front of them fall out. A lower holding arch is designed to maintain and preserve the length of the dental archform, so it is a great method to prevent crowding. It is glued in and just sits passively in floor of the mouth. |  This appliance is basically the upper version of the lower holding arch. The Nance design has a plastic button that rests on the roof of your mouth, while the transpalatal arch runs across but doesn't reach that far up. Similarly, for the most part, these are made to prevent forward drifting of adult molar teeth. |
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 These appliances are orthopedic correctors (aka change the way you grow) in the side/profile dimension. Because they are worn outside of the mouth, you only wear at home and to bed. Unless you really like the look, go for it!
This protraction facemask design is used to try and treat skeletal Class III malocclusions. They pull the upper jaw forward, with hopes to outcompete the growth in the lower jaw. |  There are several devices that aim to encourage lower jaw growth, and have what we like to call a "headgear effect". Many are removable, so again you really have to wear it if you want it to work. In case you didn't realize, these are also intended for patients that are in the growing phases of their lives. |  Elastics
These are pretty much rubber bands that are worn across a series of teeth to improve the position and relation of the teeth. If worn FULL-TIME, you can be out of treatment in no time! There are many different designs, but here are a few:
Class II: designed to combat against the Class II Malocclusion, pulling the lower jaw forward and upper jaw back
Class III: total opposite, to combat against the Class III Malocclusion, which pulls the upper jaw forward and lower jaw back |
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 Other Elastics Designs:
Triangle: these are designed to sock in your bite on the sides
Box or vertical: these are often used to close your bite in the front if it is mildly open
Crossbite: these are worn from the inside of the top teeth to outside of the bottom back teeth to combat a posterior crossbite. |  These appliances are essentially functional appliances for non-growing adults. There are two main designs:
Herbst is one unit, with a top and bottom plastic covering for your teeth. There is a lever arm that attaches the two components and advances the lower jaw forward. |  This is the more common OSA Appliance design.
Biobloc is two separate pieces of plastic that also cover your teeth. The units have a "dorsal fin" attachment, which lock in and reposition the lower jaw forward, as well.
The levels of advancement can be increased and titrated to your individual needs
Through advancing the lower jaw, the tongue is advanced and the pharyngeal airway is opened. Through this mechanism, sleep apnea events may be decreased. |
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 Congratulations, you made to the end of your treatment. Once your pearly whites are all straight, we give you retainers to wear, which do one thing: they retain. As long as you wear your retainers consistently, your teeth should hold their newly aligned position.
In the beginning, full-time wear is encouraged, which is transitioned into night-time wear.
There is a plastic/metal bar design, and a clear Essix design. While the metal design is more sturdy, the Essix is more esthetic. |  Fixed retainers have a similar function to the removable, and are often made alongside with the removable option. A fixed retainer is a tight-fitting metal wire that is glued on the tongue-side of the front teeth. It is usually done from canine-to-canine on the bottom and across the incisors on the top. These are especially useful for people who may have had severe spacing or crowding.
Benefits: not visible and doesn't require cooperation
Downsides: flossing/hygiene is more a challenge |
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