Understanding Orthodontic Appliances

At Light Orthodontics, we often require various devices designed to correct dental and facial irregularities. These appliances can be either fixed or removable and are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic treatments. The right appliance can make a significant difference in the treatment outcome, whether it's guiding jaw growth, adjusting the bite, or aligning teeth.

Common orthodontic appliances

RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander)

Used to widen the upper jaw to eliminate a crossbite and create space for crowded teeth. The device is gradually adjusted to apply gentle pressure on the upper jaw, encouraging it to widen over time.

Biteplate

Helps to correct a deep bite and reduce the height of the bite to allow for proper growth and alignment. It prevents the back teeth from touching, allowing the front teeth and jaw to grow down and align properly.

Lingual holding arch

Prevents back teeth from moving forward and maintains space for permanent teeth. It's a fixed appliance attached to the lower molars, serving as an anchor to stabilize the teeth as the jaw grows and changes.

Tongue Crib

Addresses habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that can lead to or exacerbate orthodontic problems. These appliances are usually placed on the upper teeth and encourage patients to break those habits.

Headgear

Aids in correcting severe bite discrepancies by exerting pressure to move the teeth and jaws. Attached to braces or other dental devices, headgear is typically worn for a few hours each day to apply the necessary pressure externally.

Facemasks

Often used in growing children to correct underbites by encouraging forward growth of the upper jaw. Similar to headgear, a facemask is worn outside the mouth and applies forward-directed pressure to the upper jaw, aiding in the correction of underbites and promoting proper facial structure development.

TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices)

TADs are small titanium posts that are temporarily placed in the jawbone to provide a stable anchor for moving teeth with greater precision, and may reduce the need for headgear or tooth extractions in some cases. TADs are placed using a quick, minimally invasive procedure and are removed once they are no longer needed.