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To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient uses the necessary appliances as prescribed. The following are types of appliances that may be used during your treatment:
Separators (Spacers)
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that are placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before the bands are placed. Care must be taken not to dislodge your separators with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Elastics are small rubber bands worn between the upper and lower teeth to improve the fit of your bite. They hook on parts of your braces and it is important to wear elastics as prescribed for them to be effective.
Headgears
Different types of headgears can be used to treat patients with "overbites" (upper teeth to far ahead of the lower teeth) or "underbites" (lower teeth ahead of the upper teeth). Headgear applies gentle forces to your teeth to influence tooth and jaw positions.
”Functional” Appliances
These appliances may be fixed to the teeth or removable. They reduce “overbite” by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars to move backward. These appliances are called “functional” because they are designed to make the jaw function in a different place. They attempt to elicit a growth response in a growing patient. These appliances therefore are used mostly in younger, growing children and are worn typically for about a year.
Expanders
Expanders "expand" (widen) your jaw by putting gentle pressure on your molars each time they are activated. If expansion is indicated, your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to activate your expander(s). When you achieve the desired expansion, you will continue to wear the expander for several months to solidify the expansion and prevent relapse.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They are mandatory. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your treatment is completed. Your teeth are capable of moving throughout your lifetime, in spite of how perfectly they may be aligned and fit at the end of treatment. Therefore, it is extremely important to preserve your investment in your correction by following instructions. Your orthodontist will advise you on how to care for your retainers and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainers as directed is absolutely crucial to prevent any unwanted changes.
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