Retainers
In most cases, retainers are used as the final stage of orthodontic treatment to prevent shifting of the new positions and alignment of the teeth and bite. The two most common types of retainers are either removable or fixed, but there are several options that may be recommended depending on the needs of the patient and the orthodontic method that was initially used.
Removable Retainer
Removable retainers are composed of a clear plastic material that is custom-fitted to the roof of the mouth, in addition to a thin metal wire along the outside of the teeth. The appliance is created to precisely fit the new position of your teeth while being removable for eating, brushing, and flossing.
Fixed Retainer
Fixed retainers are designed with a metal wire secured to the front, lower, or upper teeth with a dental bonding agent for a more permanent fit until they are removed by an orthodontic professional.
Lingual Retainer
Lingual retainers are a type of fixed retainer that are attached to the palatal side of the teeth (backside), more often on the lower teeth, with a dental composite resin.
Spring Retainer
Spring retainers are usually positioned over the front four teeth and utilized to help make minor adjustments, such as straightening mild misalignment.
Hawley Retainer
Hawley retainers are a well-known removable retainer similarly made with a thin metal wire and plastic or acrylic, but with a more durable structure. These types of retainers are also adjustable.
Headgear
When worn as instructed, sometimes only at certain times during the day, headgear can be a highly effective solution for correcting various misaligned bite issues. Although the appliance may feel bulky, very successful results can often be obtained with a headgear device.
Face Mask
For younger patients who have an underbite (the lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper front teeth), a face mask—also called Reverse Pull Headgear—can be implemented to extend the growth of the upper jaw to match the lower jaw. The face mask has two plastic pieces that lay upon the forehead and chin, secured to each other by a vertical metal bar that is attached to another type of orthodontic appliance, such as braces or a palatal expander.
Palatal Expanders
A palatal expander is used to widen the upper jaw in order to address a crossbite (the upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth), overcrowded teeth, the need to make room for more teeth to erupt, and other orthodontic conditions. While there are many different types of expanders, the essential function is controlled by a metal expansion mechanism that sits in the middle of the patient’s palate and is operated by an internal key. Palatal expanders usually take several weeks or months to achieve the required movement for proper treatment; however, this time frame varies for each patient. The most common palatal expanders include:
Fixed Expander
Fixed expanders fit in the roof of the mouth—attached to the back upper teeth by metal bands with dental adhesive—and work by adjusting the appliance with a wire spring or associated key that is typically turned several times per week.
Rapid Palatal Expander
Rapid palatal expanders function in the same way as fixed expanders; however, the key is generally turned daily, widening the jaw about 0.5 millimeters per day.
Removable Expander
For milder conditions, a removal palate expander, which resembles a retainer but is made of chrome, may be used but must be worn all day and night (with the exception of eating and brushing teeth).
Hyrax Expander
The Hyrax expander is another type of fixed expander that is usually adjusted more slowly (twice per week) at a rate of 2 millimeters per month.
Bonded Expander
Bonded expanders are affixed to several back teeth using orthodontic adhesive to secure molded acrylic bite blocks that cover the sides and biting surfaces.
Fixed Herbst® Appliance
The Fixed Herbst® appliance is an advanced device utilized to correct an overbite (the top front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth) over an average treatment time of about 12 months.
Bite Plate Appliance
A bite plate may be recommended to fix deep bite issues (the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth) with a small acrylic appliance held by metal clasps to the inside of the top teeth.
Twin Block Appliance
The Twin Block method is a two-part acrylic appliance, covering the upper molars and lower bicuspids, used to push the lower jaw forward to properly align with the upper jaw. By working in tandem, the blocks fit together each time the patient bites down to gradually move the lower jaw so that it may stay in the newly developed position.
Power Scope Appliance
Power Scope correctors are wire-to-wire orthodontic appliances paired with traditional braces to remedy irregular bite issues. This device is designed to enhance the efficiency of the braces and eliminate the need for additional attachments, such as headgear tube pieces or special band assemblies.
Bite Turbos
Bite turbos, also referred to as bite blocks, act as a bumper working with traditional braces to prevent full closure of the mouth, correct severely overlapping teeth, and avoid breakage of metal brace brackets when biting down (especially while eating or sleeping). These tiny orthodontic appliances can be highly effective and can ultimately help reduce the treatment time of braces. There are two types of bite turbos:
Anterior Bite Turbos
Anterior bite turbos are bonded to the inside of the upper front anterior teeth (inner tongue-side surfaces of the front teeth).
Posterior Bite Turbos
Posterior bite turbos are bonded to the cusp of the back molars (chewing surfaces of the back teeth).
Halterman Appliance
When a tooth cannot fully emerge through the gums (a condition which is referred to as an impacted tooth), an orthodontic device—such as the Halterman appliance—can help to aid in the eruption of the tooth without the need for surgery. The Halterman appliance is typically used to help impacted molars, in which an orthodontic band is placed on the neighboring molar with an extended hook that goes around the side of the impacted tooth. The hook is attached to a tiny button-shaped piece that is bonded to the chewing surface of the tooth by an elastic chain, all working together to upright the impacted molar.
If you would like to learn more about the orthodontic appliances offered at Cumberland Dental Specialists, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.