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Types Of Appliances

To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), headgear or other appliances as prescribed.

The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.

Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands only as instructed by Dr. Gottsegen and his staff.

Tandem Appliance
The Tandem appliance is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an “underbite” (with the lower front teeth forward of the uppers). The appliance gently “pulls” on your upper jaw to encourage forward growth while mildly restraining growth of the lower jaw.

MARA® Appliance
This MARA appliance reduces a patient’s overbite by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward and the upper molars to move backward. This fixed appliance is used for younger, growing children and is worn for about 12-15 months.

Palatal Expander
The palatal expander widens the upper jaw of a growing child by putting gentle pressure the side and back teeth 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 relapse.

Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened and your bite has been corrected. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.

Separators (or Spacers)
Separators are little blue rubber bands 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. Please do not floss where separators are placed, as this will cause them to come out. If one does fall out, do not worry about it.

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