Learn more about the types of orthodontic appliances such as, retainers, expanders, space maintainers, etc...
A lower lingual arch is a space maintainer for the lower teeth. It maintains the molars where they are and it does not move them. It keeps the molars from migrating forward and prevents them from blocking off space of teeth that develop later. Used when early loss of baby teeth or when lower teeth are slightly crowded.
Minor tooth movement may be necessary to position teeth properly as permanent teeth erupt during the growth process. In adults, minor tooth movement procedures in conjunction with restorative care can be used in many ways to enhance a patient's appearance.
This removable appliance is used to accomplish multiple tooth movements. The objective is to close the space between the front teeth, create room in the arch for the blocked out lateral teeth and guide them into place. To accomplish the numerous movements, springs are used to move the teeth and close the spaces.
A palatal expander is an appliance placed in the roof of the mouth to widen the upper dental arch, which allows the arch to be painlessly separated and spread. A treatment used for younger patients. Many times a palatal expander can be used to create a proper alignment of the arches so permanent teeth have room to erupt in a natural position. Often, the use of an arch expander early may eliminate the need for braces later.
A gadget that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and/or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position. You wear the retainer 24 hours a day at first then at night to make sure that none of your teeth move while your jaw hardens and your teeth get strongly attached to your jaw.
A space maintainer is a removable or fixed appliance designed to maintain an existing space. They are usually fitted to children when they have lost baby teeth early. The gap left from losing this tooth needs to be held open for the permanent tooth to erupt in its correct position.
This appliance is indicated when one molar (an erupting six-year molar) is caught under the edge of a primary second molar. The appliance features a wire spring which is attached to the erupting molar and to the second molar. The spring provides the force to move the erupting molar into proper position.
Swing Lock Expander
Arch (the "arc" line created by teeth in normal position development) is a collective term that describes a variety of appliances used to gain both arch width and arch length. These appliances range from simple appliances with lap springs to high-speed, rapid palatal expanders. They may utilize orthodontic movement and/or orthopedic movement and may be either fixed or removable.
When a patient's arch is v-shaped and needs widening only in the front of the mouth, an appliance that expands only in the anterior (front) region is necessary. An expansion screw in conjunction with a separate posterior (back) hinge in this appliance allows for the gain in anterior space without affecting the posterior bite relationship.
Twin Block (overbite treatment)
The orthodontic Twin Block for overbite treatment is a removable functional appliance consisting of two bite blocks (twin blocks), upper and lower, that are designed to interlock at 70 degrees in such a manner that the mandible (lower jaw) is held in a more protrusive position. Over time, the repositioning of the lower jaw forward eliminates the overbite (horizontal projection of upper teeth beyond the lower teeth). When treatment with the Twin Block is complete, teeth in the upper and lower jaws will interact normally.
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