Orthodontic
Appliances

A metal ring that can be placed on your back molar teeth to hold on parts of your braces.

A fixed or removable appliance used to open a deep bite (decrease the vertical overlap of the upper and lower incisors).

The Bluegrass Appliance is a habit appliance that is utilized to restrict thumb sucking habits that cause teeth to move out of alignment.

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.

Modern braces have doors to hold in the wire instead of a colored elastic and are preferred by many orthodontists and patients alike. These braces are cleaner than the old braces, they allow for faster tooth movement, and they are more comfortable to wear.

 

A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. The molar band contains slots to hold archwires and many other accessories your orthodontist uses to move your teeth.

 

A stretchable plastic chain used to move teeth and close spaces.

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 out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.

A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander, is used to widen the upper jaw so that the top and bottom teeth fit together. It is also used to correct crossbite.

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.

The forsus is a fixed appliance that is used for dental asymmetry corrections when a higher force is needed. This appliance allows the patient to open and move the jaw freely.

The Herbst appliance is designed to correct Class II problems and improve the facial aesthetics by advancing the lower jaw into a more forward position. We use this appliance to help increase the amount of lower jaw growth while correcting the existing malocclusion.

This appliance is used to guide jaw growth as an alternative to moving jaws with jaw surgery. The patient must be actively growing for it to be maximally effective.

 

(Incognito) braces are the only fully customized system made for you and you alone. Each brace is placed on the inside of your teeth, hiding the majority of the metal parts. They are virtually invisible from the front, making them an excellent option for patients who wish to avoid the outside metal.

 

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

A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch. It’s purpose is to maintain space.

These clear retainers made from plastic are an esthetically-pleasing option for patients who want to avoid wearing a retainer with a visible wire.

An appliance that attaches to your upper and/or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position and allow for the teeth and gums to become stable in their new position. At first, you wear the retainer 24 hours a day, and then only at night. This is one of the most important parts of keeping straight teeth.

 

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

A Splint is a special type of retainer that holds both tooth alignment and bite correction at the same time. It is only worn at night but is a critical part of your treatment.

 

This appliance is used for some tooth movement. Jaw expansion and space creation can be achieved with these appliances. There are multiple custom design for these appliances – and the patient can pick the color of the retainer.

This simple device is given to address severe thumb/finger sucking habit. This appliance is custom made for each patient and must be glued to the teeth to be effective.

 

A Temporary Anchorage Device is a small anchor that is used when movements are complicated or when patients are not being compliant. They are also used in some cases to avoid complicated jaw surgery.