Which Appliances Does An Orthodontist Use?

An orthodontist is the best professional capable of improving the appearance of your teeth and their function. This specialist corrects any anomalies in the arrangement of your teeth by straightening and moving them using different types of appliances.

Here are two types of appliances commonly used in orthodontic treatment:

1. Elastics (Rubber Bands)

According to the Australian Society of Orthodontists, rubber bands may be a necessary extra attachment to braces for providing the much-needed force for correction of your bite. These elastics are normally stretched between lower and upper braces, with hooks providing an attachment to keep them in place.

Your orthodontist will recommend the proper method of placing and using this appliance. You must strictly follow such recommendations to ensure the fasted possible duration of tooth correction. Remember that you may feel some tenderness in your teeth, which shouldn't cause any concern since it's simply a sign that your teeth are moving. Normally, such tenderness will fade away after one or two days.

Despite the fact that tooth movement during orthodontic treatment is harmless, complications may arise if an oral condition already exists. To avoid such an occurrence, you must always follow the appropriate oral hygiene practices. By doing this, you will prevent a buildup of bacterial plaque, which has the potential of causing loss of supporting bone and inflammation in your gums. Most of all, you must maintain regular visits to your orthodontist.

2. Headgear

If you already have a fixed appliance such as braces, other orthodontic devices such as headgear, may be attached to it to pull on your teeth, as well as the supporting jaw. In certain cases, the attachment may be used on removable appliances such as plates. Normally, such an additional attachment is used in severe malocclusions.

Different varieties of headgear will produce different direction of pull on your jaw. One common type goes around the back of your neck, which produces a backward pull on your upper teeth. Another type of headgear goes round the back of your head, which produces an upward and backward pull.

Normally, this appliance is used to curb forward growth in case of a prominent upper jaw. However, it may also be just as effective in anchoring your back teeth in order to maximize the retraction of prominent front teeth. In other instances, headgear can help in moving your teeth backwards with an aim of creating space for teeth in the front part of your mouth.

An interesting variation of the backward-pulling headgear is the reverse-pull headgear. This appliance is typically worn on the front part of your face, which facilitates its forward pull on your upper jaw.

Understandably, such an appliance is normally worn during the night. However, you can opt to wear it even during the day, which will make your teeth movement even more effective. If you do wear it during the day, you might need to take extra precautions to avoid any harm to your face (the Australian Society of Orthodontists warns that such headgear should not be worn during boisterous or competitive activities).


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