Orthodontic Appliances

A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.

Bands are a ring of metal, which fit around the back molars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the best fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental cement that contains fluoride to help prevent any decalcification during treatment. The molar band contains slots to hold archwires, lip bumpers, facebows and other things your orthodontist may use to move your teeth.

A Biteplate is a removable appliance similar to a retainer that is used to correct a deepbite or to help correct a crossbite.

Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.

A small metal tube that is bonded to the molar teeth or is welded on the outside of a molar band. Buccal tubes hold the archwire in place for the molar teeth.

A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth, usually to close spaces between the teeth.

Elastics or rubber bands for braces help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. The orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth into alignment or to close a space in the mouth.

The upper expander is constructed with a palatal expansion screw whose metal arms are soldered to wire framework. The upper expander is a way to widen a narrow upper jaw so the teeth will fit together better.

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely. They help keep the teeth straight after treatment.

The Forsus appliance is an orthodontic appliance that is affixed to the teeth. Springs mounted on the side of the appliance force the lower jaw forward upon closure of the jaws retraining the bite and correcting a Class II problem.

This appliance is usually attached using stainless steel crowns. Metal side bars and some front braces are often part of the appliance. Some appliances may have an expansion screw in the middle of the palate to help widen the upper jaw.

Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that orthodontists use as an alternative to braces.

A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch. It is usually used as a type of space maintainer.

A Mara is a fixed appliance consisting of metal bands and small elbows. The elbows guide the lower jaw forward correcting the bite for a Class II problem.

A device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouth guard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries. Mouth guards are also important after treatment to protect your smile.

The Nance button is utilized to hold teeth in position to allow for the movement of other teeth. The impact of the button on the roof of the mouth creates force on the back molars. It is usually used as a type of space maintainer.

An appliance that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer helps keep your teeth straight for a lifetime.

Separators are tiny rubber bands that your orthodontist places between your back teeth. These separators prepare your mouth for orthodontic bands by creating a small gap between these teeth. This space allows for the placement of a metal band around your molar.

an appliance that is fixed or removable to help hold space while permanent teeth erupt.

This simple device is given to address severe thumb/finger sucking habit. It involves using a fixed wire crib attached to two back braces.