Clear Retainers
These retainers are the most commonly used after braces are removed. They are used to maintain treatment results and also help to prevent clenching and grinding at night because of the occlusal coverage they provide. They are invisible, easy to clean, and comfortable to wear. After braces are removed, the best way to ensure long-term stability of the teeth is indefinite retainer wear. All of our retainers are guaranteed for a 1 year period against normal wear and tear, although they generally last much longer.
Hawley Retainers
These retainers are removable and used in many situations. When braces are removed these retainers maintain treatment results, close space, or maintain expansion after the use of a palatal expander. The retainers are made with a colored acrylic and have a wire that crosses the front teeth. After braces are removed, the best way to ensure long-term stability of the teeth is indefinite retainer wear. All of our retainers are guaranteed for a 1 year period against normal wear and tear, although they generally last much longer.
Palatal Expander
The Palatal Expander is an appliance which is used to widen the upper arch of teeth. This is accomplished by causing increased growth of the upper jaw to a more normal width. An expander is usually recommended if the following conditions are present:
- The upper arch of teeth is narrow and there is crowding or insufficient space for the permanent teeth.
- A cross-bite exists: the upper teeth are fitting inside the lower teeth.
Upper Trans-Palatal Arch
This fixed appliance is a bilateral space maintainer that is used to hold space for unerupted permanent teeth after primary (baby) teeth have been lost prematurely. This appliance will also ensure that the permanent teeth that are currently in the mouth do not drift into the space that is needed for the unerupted teeth. The appliance is custom made to fit each individual patient, and remains in the mouth for approximately 12-24 months.
This space maintainer is also used to maintain expansion after a palatal expander has been used or to slightly expand the upper arch and regain space that has been lost.
Pendex
The Pendex is a fixed appliance that is used not only to widen a narrow upper jaw, but also to push the upper molars back. This appliance is often used when there is not enough room to accommodate the permanent teeth, as well as when the patient has a cross bite; meaning the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together in the correct position.
This appliance is fixed in the mouth for approximately 6-9 months. Once it is removed the patient is given a fixed bilateral space maintainer to maintain the expansion that has been made.
Lower Lingual Arch
This fixed appliance is a bilateral space maintainer that is used to hold space for unerupted permanent teeth after primary (baby) teeth have been lost prematurely. This appliance will also ensure that the permanent teeth that are currently in the mouth do not drift into the space that is needed for the unerupted teeth. The appliance is custom made to fit each individual patient, and will remain fixed in the mouth for approximately 12-24 months.
Habit Appliance
This is a fixed appliance that is put in place to correct a thumb or finger sucking habit. The appliance prevents the patient from putting the thumb or finger in the mouth and remains in place until the habit has been eliminated.
This appliance can also be used to help correct a tongue thrust habit. The appliance will help keep the tongue in its proper position.