Orthodontic separators, also known as spacers, are small rubber bands that are placed between molar teeth to create space for future appliances like bands. They’re only in for a short time, but they’re essential for setting up your treatment. While they might feel a bit strange, any discomfort is usually mild. To keep in place, stick to softer foods, and avoid anything sticky until they’re removed.
Orthodontic elastics are small but powerful tools used to align your bite. They work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to move your teeth into their ideal positions. Elastics are typically attached to brackets on your braces and can be removed for eating and brushing, making them easy to manage.
The Forsus appliance is a fixed orthodontic device designed to correct bite issues, particularly an overbite. Attached to your braces, it gently guides the jaw into proper alignment over time, helping to achieve a balanced and functional bite.
Temporary Anchorage Devices, or TADs, are small titanium anchors used in certain orthodontic cases to help achieve more predictable tooth movement. An anesthetic is used to numb the gum tissue and the jaw in the area where the TAD will be placed. Once it is numb, your orthodontist will gently place the TAD through the gum tissue and into the jawbone. The placing of a TAD is quick, and may be over before you know it. Your TAD is removed when it is no longer needed. Removal of a TAD is a comfortable procedure that takes just a few minutes. A TAD can be cleaned the same way you clean your braces. We will recommend an anti-microbial gel or mouthwash to use in conjunction with normal brushing and flossing.
Headgear is an appliance used to correct cases where the upper teeth are too far forward compared to the lower teeth. By holding back the upper molars, it prevents excessive upper jaw growth and allows the lower jaw to catch up, ensuring a balanced bite.
A protraction facemask is a device used to treat underbites (Class III malocclusions) when the upper jaw is too far back. It gently pulls the upper jaw forward and slightly downward to correct the jaw alignment.
Orthodontic expanders are devices used to widen the upper jaw, creating space for crowded teeth and improving bite alignment. The Hyrax expander is a fixed appliance. It features a screw in the centre that patients or caregivers adjust daily using a small key. This allows for precise, controlled expansion, often used in cases requiring a more significant adjustment.
The Quad Helix expander is a fixed device with a spring-like design that’s attached to the molars. It uses gentle, continuous pressure to widen the upper jaw and correct crossbites or crowding. It doesn’t require manual adjustments, making it a convenient option for younger patients or those needing a gradual correction.
A lower lingual holding arch (LLA) is a fixed orthodontic appliance designed to preserve space in the lower jaw, often after baby teeth are lost prematurely. By preventing adjacent teeth from shifting, it ensures there’s enough room for permanent teeth to erupt properly.
A Bite Plate is a removable orthodontic appliance with various uses such as preventing lower teeth from biting into the palate, holding space for erupting teeth, protecting against grinding or enabling simple tooth movements. Made of plastic, it fits snugly in the roof of the mouth and is held in place with small clasps. Initially, it may feel bulky, cause a slight lisp or make swallowing feel different, but these sensations typically ease within a few days. Bite plates are worn either full-time or during sleep, depending on your specific needs.
Retainers are custom-made appliances designed to keep your teeth in their newly aligned positions after braces or other treatments. They’re essential for maintaining the hard work of your orthodontic journey and ensuring your smile stays beautifully aligned. Retainers come in two main types: removable and fixed. Removable retainers are typically made of clear plastic or acrylic and are easy to wear and clean. Fixed retainers consist of a thin wire bonded behind your teeth for continuous support. Wearing your retainer as instructed is key to preserving your results.
