Types of Appliances
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth (your bite). Wear rubber bands as instructed and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they're worn as prescribed, which usually means full-time. Great elastic wear usually shortens a patient’s treatment time as well!
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw, or an "underbite" with the lower jaw forward of the upper jaw. Depending on a patient’s certain problem and their cooperation, headgear is still a very effective orthodontic appliance.
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst® appliance reduces overbite by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward. This fixed appliance is used mostly for younger, growing children and is worn for about 10-12 months.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or bonded (glued on). They hold your teeth in their new and corrected positions. Dr. Altherr will instruct you on how to care for your retainer(s) and about the duration of their wear. Wearing your retainer(s) as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment, and to ensure that your teeth will stay straight indefinitely so that you can permanently avoid future braces.
Separators or Spacers
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be 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 we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.