Orthodontic Appliances
What is an Orthodontic Appliance?
An orthodontic appliance is a wearable device that is used when braces alone won’t provide the degree of correction needed for a healthy bite. Unlike braces, orthodontic appliances can be easily removed by the patient as needed.
Below we’ll cover a few different types of orthodontic appliances and why each is used.
Types of Orthodontic Appliances
In this article, we’ll cover the following types of appliances:
- Orthodontic Headgear
- Elastics
- Palatal Expanders
Orthodontic Headgear
Orthodontic headgear is sometimes known as an “extra-oral” appliance because it is worn outside of the mouth. These devices function by anchoring to bony landmarks on the neck and head to hep correct overbite, underbite or open bite. Headgear can be removed by the patient for periodic cleaning and while playing sports, rough housing or eating.
These devices apply force to the patient’s teeth and jaw to create an optimal shape for healthy growth. They also prevent teeth from shifting during treatment. Headgear is usually recommended when braces alone cannot deliver the support needed for healthy development.
Orthodontic headgear is most often worn by children and teens because their jaws are still developing and are more easily manipulated. However, headgear can also be helpful for adult treatments in which a tooth has been removed, and other teeth may shift out of a place without additional support.
3 Types of Orthodontic Headgear
Cervical Headgear
Cervical headgear anchors at the back of the neck and is meant to correct an overbite.
High-pull Headgear
High-pull headgear anchors at the back of the head to correct an overbite. This treatment is often used when a child has an open bite, which means the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
Reverse-pull Facemask
Reverse-pull headgear anchors on the forehead and chin in order to move the upper jaw forward and correct an underbite.
At Omar Orthodontics, Dr. Anisa Omar and her staff collaborate with their patients to determine the best ortho appliances for their specific treatment plans.
Elastics
Elastics are small rubber bands that anchor to a patient’s braces and pull the lower jaw forward or backward to correct an overbite or underbite.
Palatal Expanders
The upper jaw is also known as the palate. Palatal expanders are typically used when a patient’s upper jaw is too narrow, resulting in crowded upper teeth or teeth which don’t properly contact the teeth below. Expanders widen a patient’s upper jaw by applying pressure to the upper molars in incremental stages. Once a palate has been expanded to a healthy width, the patient may continue to wear the device for a few more months to ensure that the expansion is permanent.
Palatal expanders are most commonly worn by children and teens whose bones are still developing and maleable. Since bones are still developing at this age, wearing a palatal expander can also improve facial symmetry.
Learn more about palatal expanders.
Visit our Chantilly, VA office to learn more about orthodontic appliances, or reach out to us by phone at 703-542-6336 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Anisa Omar.
Dr. Omar and staff are so kind and knowledgeable. The treat you like family when you come in for your visits. I recommend them anyone who needs an orthodontist.
Through the years our family has experienced other orthodontist offices, and I can say Dr. Omar's experience is by far the best. The staff greeted us by name at the door. They took the time to fight our insurance for coverage. And now my daughter has a beautiful smile.
I love this place and look forward to seeing the staff each appointment. Incredibly kind and treat you like family 10/10 experience each time!