Orthodontics Guide

by mheo soriano

Removable retainers
Removable retainers are worn on the roof of the mouth, these devices prevent teeth from shifting of the to their previous position. Removable retainers can also be adjusted and used to prevent thumb sucking.

Headgear
The headgear is an appliance wherein a strap is positioned around the back of the head and attached to a metal wire in front, or face bow. Headgear causes the growth of the upper jaw to slow down,it also holds the back teeth where they are while on the other hand, the front teeth are pulled back. This is usually used for serious cases of jaw dislocation.

by mheo soriano

Lip and cheek bumpers
These devices are designed to keep the lips or cheeks away from the teeth. The lip and cheek muscles are known to exert pressure on the teeth, and these bumpers help alleviate that pressure.

Palatal expanders
The Palatal expander is an appliance used to widen the arch of the upper jaw. It is a plastic plate that is often placed on the roof of the mouth. Outward pressure is then applied to the plate by screws force the joints in the bones of the palate to open lengthwise, widening the palatal area.

Removable functional appliances are also called dentofacial orthopaedic appliances, which use the patient’s muscle action to produce the desired outcome.

A binonator is like a combination of the upper and lower parts of the Hawley retainer. The difference is it is not fastened to the teeth and is not utilized for treatment in brace removal.

A biobloc is a device used to position the lower jaw forward.

A Clark Twin Block combines the functions of the upper and lower bit blocks to pull the mandible forward. It was developed by William Clark, a Scottish orthodontist, in 1977.

A bass dynamax has a similar principle with that of the Clark Twin Block. It was developed by Neville Bass, a London-based orthodontist, in the early part of the 21st century.

by mheo soriano

Removable space maintainers
The Removable space maintainers has the ame purpose as fixed space maintainers. Most of which were made with an acrylic base that fits over the jaw, and may have plastic material in them or wire branches between specific teeth to keep the space between them open.

Jaw repositioning appliances
Jaw Repositioning Appliances, are more popularly known as splints. These devices are worn on either the top or lower jaw, and help to train the jaw to close in a more favorable position. They may be used for people with temporomandibular joint disorders

The orthodontic facemask and reverse-pull headgear is a functional appliance that is used to moderate the growth of the manidibular and maxillary bones when orthodontic treatment is ongoing.

The device is usually used by growing patients in order to correct their under bites. The correction is made through assisting upper jaw growth by pulling it forward. The gadget needs to be worn from 12 to 22 hours in order for it to be effective in a span of six to eight months.

The appliance is composed of center bars or a frame strapped to the head of the patient during fitting. One part of the frame is positioned in front of the patient’s mouth so that elastic bands can be attached directly to the patient’s braces.

Image source: Cyberdentist

by mheo soriano

Bite Plates
Bite Plates are designed to correct deep bites. For best results, it is advisable that it should be worn most of the time except when eating and brushing. It is also imperative to keep it clean at all times to prevent infection. The bite plate treatment usually last for 3 to 6 months or until desired results are met.

Aligners
Aligners serve as an alternative to traditional braces for adults. The number of orthodontist who are using serial aligners is increasing. The process is to move teeth in the same way that fixed appliances work, only without metal wires and brackets. But aligners are virtually invisible and are can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

by mheo soriano

A Quad Helix
Is an orthodontic appliance designed for the upper teeth. It is cemented in the patient’s mouth. It got its name “Quad Helix” because of the four active helix springs that causes the arch of the mouth to widen. It is commonly used as a solution for crowded teeth and/ or posterior cross-bites. Although it is fixed, adjustments can be performed throughout your treatment
Special fixed appliances

These are used to control thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, these appliances are attached to the teeth by bands. Wearing this would cause discomfort especially during meals, that is why they should be used only as a last resort.

by mheo soriano

Braces

Braces are one of the most common fixed appliances, it is consisted of bands, wires and/or brackets. The bands are fixed around the teeth or tooth and used as anchors for the appliance, while the brackets are most often connected to the front of the tooth. Arch wires are passed through the brackets and attached to the bands and tightening the arch wire puts tension on the teeth, moving them to their proper position slowly but surely.

Fixed space maintainers

Fixed space maintainers are used usually on kids who lose their baby tooth prematurely, a space maintainer is used to maintain the space until the permanent tooth erupts. The band is attached to the tooth next to the empty space, and a wire is extended to the tooth on the other side of the space.