Separators Separators (or spacers) are small, rubber bands that are stretched to fit between the very back molars of your teeth to create a small space. This space is necessary so that bands can be placed around your molars to anchor your braces. At first, these separators may be uncomfortable. Eventually, the space between your teeth will widen and the separators won’t be felt at all. At this point the bands can be placed. If a separator falls out, call the office to find out if another needs to be placed.
Separators, sometimes called spacers, are applied before braces in order to create room for the bands that will be placed around the teeth during treatment. Because bands, which are placed around the back molars to serve as anchoring structures, will surround the whole tooth, they would be uncomfortable to patients if they were fitted without any preparation. Separators serve to ease that discomfort by gently, slowly moving teeth apart to make room for the bands.
Separators, which can be made of metal or plastic, are generally applied a few days to a few weeks before your braces (and bands) are placed, to give you time to adjust, Initial soreness created by the spacers can be alleviated with Tylenol or ibuprofen and should last only a few days.
While separators generally do not fall out of their own accord, patients should avoid playing with the separators with either fingers or their tongue and should not floss in the location of the separators with either fingers or their tongue and should not floss in the location of the separators. In addition, sticky foods such as gum should be avoided. If you lose a separator, it usually indicates that optimal space has been created, although if this happens several days before braces are to be applied, you should contact our office.
Elastics Used to move teeth in prescribed direction (commonly connected to molar band and upper ball hook). Found in numerous colors for better appearance.
Elastics are a vital part of treatment and are also contingent upon patient compliance. They add extra pressure to the braces to help move the teeth. Generally worn at all times (excluding eating and brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed at least once a day. They come in various sizes as they are each used for a specific purpose. We will provide you with the appropriate size.
It is important to wear them consistently or treatment setbacks may occur. If only one day is missed, it could cause your teeth to shift back to their original position.
Expanders Expanders are orthopedic appliances that can reshape teeth and bone. They are commonly used to correct cross-bites and narrow jaw forms. While there are many variations, expanders all serve the same basic purpose. Comprised of anchors on either side of the upper teeth, and a piece spanning the roof of the mouth between, an expander works by applying gradual outward pressure on the bone and teeth of the upper jaw. The human skull at birth is like a puzzle; pieces of fully formed hard bone are joined by softer connective tissue. One of these fissures is located in the roof of the mouth. By exerting outward pressure on this seam in the bone, a gap is created which the body naturally fills in with new bone. This creates a wider upper jaw.
Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding adjustment, care, and cleaning of your expanding appliance.
Expander Instructions
To turn expander:
Find a place in the house that is comfortable, where your son/daughter can lay on their back with their head tilted backward. (Looking up toward the ceiling).
Sitting along side of them, have them open their mouths.
Insert the key into the hole in the expander.
Then turn the key toward the back of their throat.
To complete the turn remove the key STRAIGHT down. Make sure that this is straight down because you do not want to reverse the turn.
HINT: Be sure to turn the key all the way toward the back of the throat. That way, you will be able to properly fit the key in the next hole.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, stop turning the expander.
Problem: When the upper jaw has developed with insufficient width, many problems may arise. These include a narrow smile, crossbite, crowding, and overbite just to name a few.
Solution: Fortunately, the expander widens the upper jaw. This helps lead to a highly aesthetic, functional healthy smile.
The amount of expansion needed varies. After the expander has been fit, Dr. Seuss will inform you of how many times it needs to be turned (activated).
While turning the expander a space between the upper front teeth is common, this is temporary.
The expander will remain in the mouth for approximately six to nine months in order for the teeth to adapt to these new positions.
Functional appliances (Twin Block, Bionator, Activator)
Problem: When the upper and lower jaws do not grow in harmony many problems may arise. These include an overbite, a receding chin/jaw, crossbite, a deep overbite, and an openbite to name a few.
Solution: Fortunately functional appliances encourage the jaws to grow in harmony. They correct the front to back relationship of the jaws and the teeth by gently holding the lower jaw forward. Thus, correcting the overbite immediately.
These appliances have been studied extensively and have been used for more than 30 years. They have helped orthodontists create highly aesthetic, functional, and healthy smiles, in conjunction with facial balance and harmony.
The functional appliance may seem like a mouthful. However, in no time you will adapt to talking and smiling with it. It should not be uncomfortable to wear.
In order to correct the jaw position, these appliances are typically worn for a year. Dr. Seuss will tell you how many hours a day your appliance should be worn. It is just what your smile needs to look its best.
The alternatives to functional therapy include headgear, jaw surgery, tooth extractions.
Retainers When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Retainers come in many shapes and colors. Many patients enjoy choosing their color or design which makes wearing them lots of fun.
Wire retainer - Hawley
Clear Retainer - Essix
Holding Arch (Lingual Arch/Space Maintainers)
Problem: The lower jaw has insufficient space for all the teeth. This lack of space leads to crowding, overlapping, and poor alignment.
Solutions: Fortunately, the holding arch creates space for the lower teeth often avoiding extraction of permanent teeth. The use of such appliances at an early age can prevent more expensive or intensive orthodontic treatment later in life.
The holding arch “holds” the molars from moving forward toward the incisors. This allows the permanent teeth to unravel naturally by drifting into the “held” space.
The holding arch may be worn as a retainer until braces are placed. It typically stays in place 12 – 18 months.
The holding arch will not cause discomfort and is easy to care for.
While wearing the holding arch, patients should avoid sticky foods such as gum or caramels and hard foods such as hard candy or hard, crusty breads.
Headgear
Headgear is often used to correct an excessive overbite. This is done by placing pressure against the upper teeth and jaw, which would hold the teeth in position or help move them into better positions. The severity of the problem determines the length of time headgear needs to be worn. The key to success with your headgear appliance is consistency. Headgear must be worn a certain number of hours per day, and if not, it must be made up the following day.
Headgear should never be worn while playing sports and should also be removed while eating or brushing your teeth.
Facemask
Problem: When the upper jaw is too far back and the lower jaw is too far forward this is called an underbite.
Solution:
The expander combined with the facemask can correct the underbite, and harmonize the position of the jaws and teeth. This will lead to a highly aesthetic, functional, and healthy smile.
The expander will be placed first, Dr. Seuss will inform you how many times it needs to be activated. Once those turns are completed the facemask therapy will begin.
The facemask gently helps the upper jaw grow downward and forward. This helps the upper teeth move in front of the lower teeth, which is a normal overbite. Concurently, the facemask helps slow down the growth of the lower jaw.
In order for the teeth to adapt to their new positions, the expander will remain in the mouth for 6 to 8 months. The facemask is worn only at home.
Herbst
Problem: When the upper and lower jaws do not grow in harmony many problems may arise. These include an overbite, a receding chin/jaw, crossbite, a deep overbite, and an openbite to name a few.
Solution: The herbst appliance encourages the jaws to grow in harmony. They correct the front to back relationship of the jaws and the teeth by gently holding the lower jaw forward. Thus, correcting the overbite immediately.
These appliances have been studied extensively and have been used for more than 30 years. They have helped orthodontists create highly aesthetic, functional, and healthy smiles, in conjunction with facial balance and harmony.
The Herbst seems like a mouthful, however, in no time you will adapt to eating, speaking and smiling. In order to correct the jaw position, the herbst must be worn for 12 – 14 months. It will not cause much discomfort, is easy to care for, and is just what your smile needs to look its best.
Alternatives to Herbst treatment include headgear, tooth extractions, jaw surgery or an uncorrected overbite.
When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Retainers come in many shapes and colors. Many patients enjoy choosing their color or design which makes wearing them lots of fun.
Holding Arch (Lingual Arch/Space Maintainers)
Herbst
