Types of Appliances
Orthodontics is a science and an art. To create your beautiful, healthy smile, Dr. Ellis uses a variety of advanced appliances. Each one is designed for a specific purpose to help guide your teeth and jaw into their ideal positions.
Here are some of the common tools we use.
Appliances for Jaw Alignment
Sometimes, creating a perfect smile means correcting the alignment of the upper and lower jaws. These appliances are designed to do just that, often for our younger, growing patients.
The Herbst® Appliance – This appliance helps correct a significant overbite by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward. It’s a fixed appliance, meaning it stays in place, and is typically worn for about 12-15 months.
The MARA Appliance -MARA stands for Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance. Like the Herbst, this non-removable appliance helps correct severe overbites by encouraging lower jaw growth, potentially avoiding the need for surgery.
Palatal Expander – If the upper jaw is too narrow, a palatal expander is used to gradually widen it. We will show you how to make small, gentle adjustments at home. Once the jaw is widened, the expander stays in place for a few months to ensure the results are stable.
Appliances That Work with Braces
These tools are often used in combination with braces to achieve the perfect bite and alignment.
Elastics (Rubber Bands) – These small but mighty rubber bands are a crucial part of treatment for many patients. They provide the gentle, consistent pressure needed to improve how your upper and lower teeth fit together. Wearing them exactly as instructed is key to finishing your treatment on time!
Forsus™ Device – As an alternative to headgear, the Forsus device is a spring-based appliance that helps eliminate excessive overbites in adolescents. It works by promoting forward growth of the lower jaw.
Separators (Spacers) – A week or two before we place your braces, we may put small rubber rings called separators between your back teeth. This creates a tiny amount of space, making it comfortable to place the metal bands that anchor your braces.
The Herbst® Appliance – This appliance helps correct a significant overbite by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward. It’s a fixed appliance, meaning it stays in place, and is typically worn for about 12-15 months.
The MARA Appliance -MARA stands for Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance. Like the Herbst, this non-removable appliance helps correct severe overbites by encouraging lower jaw growth, potentially avoiding the need for surgery.
Palatal Expander – If the upper jaw is too narrow, a palatal expander is used to gradually widen it. We will show you how to make small, gentle adjustments at home. Once the jaw is widened, the expander stays in place for a few months to ensure the results are stable.
Finishing and Retention Appliances
Once your braces come off, the journey isn’t over! These appliances ensure your beautiful new smile lasts a lifetime.
Positioners – A positioner is sometimes used in the final stage of treatment. It’s a removable appliance that helps complete the last few tooth movements, perfecting your smile.
Retainers – After your braces are removed, you’ll get a retainer. This is one of the most important parts of your treatment! Retainers hold your newly straightened teeth in their correct positions. They can be removable or fixed (a thin wire bonded behind your teeth). Wearing your retainer as directed is essential to prevent your teeth from shifting back.