Appliances


Twin Block Plates

Are an appliance designed to correctly position the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw and also improve the overall facial appearance. These plates are usually best done prior to braces before the age of 16 years, as the changes that they cause are best incorporated into a growing face. The plates are usually worn for 9-12 months and are adjusted at regular intervals (approximately every 6 weeks). Although the plates are very successful in correcting bite problems they are totally dependant on excellent cooperation and full time wear. As they move the lower jaw into a forward position, they cannot detail the individual position of the teeth, which is done at a later stage with braces.



RME

The Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) is a fixed appliance designed to gain maxillary arch development. The typical range of development is 8-12mm of expansion within a very short period of time. To improve anterior and posterior tooth position auxiliary extension arms can be added as well as buccal attachments for tooth alignment.

Expansion and Arch Development is a broad term used to describe appliances designed to treat "crowding", the most common type of malocclusion in mixed-dentition patients.



Adjustable Dynamic Protraction Face Mask

The AD Protraction Facemask has the widest range of application and produces the most dramatic results in the shortest period for the treatment of Class III malocclusions in the developing dentition. It is our appliance of choice for this problem as the Facemask affects both the skeletal and dental units, which require correction. The ideal time to commence treatment is typically after the eruption of the permanent front teeth, around age 8 years.



Lower Expander

Are a means to permanently widen constricted lower arches and this procedure has the benefits of increasing the space available to align crowded teeth.



Braces

  • Traditional braces - Traditional metal braces are the most common type used. The wire threads through the brackets, which often means the ideal shape of the archwire is temporarily distorted due to the positioning of the teeth and, as it tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move the teeth. The jawbones and gum tissues then remodel to accommodate any changes in tooth position.
    In some cases elastics (small rubber bands) are used to add additional force to create the right amount of pressure to move teeth. Elastics are issued as required and must be worn religiously to ensure timely completion of orthodontic treatment.
  • Lingual braces - These are braces fitted behind the teeth on the tongue (lingual) side so they are totally invisible. They can be used on all cases to straighten teeth and correct bites including the more complex cases that other ‘clear or invisible’ braces cannot treat. They do take a little longer for the tongue to adjust to but usually after a week, they feel fine.
  • Clear braces - Many still think of braces as the large metal type but modern braces can be crystal clear. Wearing clear braces are barely visible and suitable for all types of orthodontic problems. They are most suited where invisible aligners are not suited or where the extra cost of lingual braces is a concern.


Invisible Aligners

There is now an invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.Using a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth, invisible braces operate without metal wires or brackets.

You normally wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position that we have prescribed. You will have to visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned and monitored thoroughly.

Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case as each patient is treated individually.



Retainers

The most important part of your treatment is maintaining the result. As a general tendency teeth tend to crowd and overlap as we age. The ONLY method to prevent this occurrence is meticulous and fastidious retainer wear. Initially full time wear is required (apart from swimming / vigorous sport and eating) for 6-12 months. Following that period it is necessary to continue your retainer wear every night for a further 6-12 months.

Finally wear is reduced, to a few nights per week or fortnight, however, if you never want future crowding, a degree of retainer wear will be necessary for the long term.