Types of Orthodontic Appliances
To achieve the desired results from Invisalign®, Spark™ aligners, or braces in East or West Spartanburg, Duncan, Gaffney, Union or Woodruff, you or your kiddo’s personalized treatment plan may include any of the following orthodontic appliances.
What do orthodontic appliances do?
Orthodontic appliances have a variety of uses, including facilitating more efficient tooth movement, holding space in the mouth for permanent teeth to grow, and/or helping to support proper growth and development of the jaw bones.
Herbst® appliance
The Herbst appliance is, in reality, a headgear replacement appliance. It has been around for over 100 years, but has regained favor over the past 20 years in orthodontic circles. This is mainly because it looks better than a headgear (DUH!) and eliminates the need for patient compliance since it is cemented in place.
It uses stainless steel crowns or bands placed over the back molars on the upper and lower. A telescoping arm connects the molars on each side of the mouth, repositioning the lower jaw forward. Over a year being in the mouth, the teeth, jaw, gums, and tongue all learn their new position, so that when the appliance is removed, the overbite is corrected.
Braces or clear aligners are also used along with the Herbst appliance to control the position of the teeth.
Palatal Expander
Palatal expanders are a common appliance used in early orthodontic treatment for children whose jaw bones are still developing. These appliances serve to widen the upper jaw to create the necessary space for teeth to erupt in a healthy alignment. Palatal expanders can help prevent crowding and impaction by guiding proper development of the jaw bone.
The rapid palatal expander (the most common type of palatal expander) is bonded to the upper molars on both sides of the top jaw, with a screw located in the center of the appliance. To activate the palatal expander, you’ll insert a special key to turn the center screw, which expands the device ever so slightly and widens the palate gradually over time.
If your child requires a palatal expander, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about cleaning it, activating it and caring for it!
TADs
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are temporary dental implants embedded into the bone to create an “anchor” that assists with tooth movement. These appliances are generally used when certain teeth require shifting, and others don’t. TADs enable us to treat individual teeth with greater efficiency.
These anchorage devices appear as tiny metal buttons, strategically implanted into an area of the jaw bone. A small wire or elastic may be attached to the TAD to connect it with the specific tooth (or teeth) in need of treatment.
Teeth Separators or Spacers
Spacers, also called separators, are small rubber bands that help to create the space necessary for bands of appliances to be placed. A metal band is placed around the back molars to anchor the arch wires in place. In cases where the molars are too close together to allow these metal bands to be placed, separators may be used.
Separators are temporary appliances that are only worn for about one to two weeks before active treatment begins.
Nance Appliance
The Nance appliance is used to hold the upper molars in place, to prevent them from rotating or shifting forward. With this appliance, two metal bands are cemented around the first molars and a wire connects the back molars to an acrylic pad, located behind the two front teeth.
Carriere® appliance
The Carriere Motion Appliance is used to treat misalignment in the back teeth. It is attached to the canine tooth and the first molar on the outside surfaces of the top and bottom teeth.
With this appliance, an elastic is secured from the top teeth to the bottom teeth to apply gentle pressure to the jaw bones. Over time, this appliance will reposition the jaw bones to create an alignment between the upper jaw bone and the lower jaw bone.
Reverse-Pull Headgear (Orthodontic Facemask)
The reverse-pull headgear (facemask) is an appliance used to promote proper alignment of the jaw bones for young kids around the ages of 7 to 10. We call it a “Catcher’s Mask!” It works by pulling the upper jaw forward to treat underbite conditions that may otherwise require jaw surgery to correct.
Banded Bite Plate
A banded bite plate serves to correct a deep bite (overbite) condition. This appliance fits behind the upper, front teeth, and disables the rear teeth from meeting when the mouth is closed, which allows these posterior teeth to develop properly. Over several months, the deep bite will become corrected!
Lower Lingual Arch (Space Maintainer)
The lower lingual holding arch is a space maintainer that uses metal bands around the two lower molars, with a metal wire spanning from the molars, around the inside of the bottom teeth. Used to hold the necessary space in the mouth for premolars to grow, the lower lingual arch appliance establishes the proper foundation that shapes the lower arch in a healthy alignment.
Let’s Get Started —Your Smile Journey Begins Here!
At Nth Degree Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you take your smile to the Nth Degree. From our highly experienced, welcoming orthodontists to our personalized care, we provide a unique blend of modern treatments and a family-oriented approach that sets us apart in Spartanburg, Duncan, Gaffney, and Union.
Get started today by booking a complimentary consultation at one of our orthodontic offices in Spartanburg (East and West), Duncan, Gaffney, Union or Woodruff—or take the first step from home with a virtual smile assessment.
With over 50 years of combined experience, we promise high-quality results and a friendly, comfortable experience tailored just for you. Let’s create a smile you’ll love!
