Orthodontic treatments correct your teeth’s alignment. But sometimes, your teeth need the additional help of orthodontic appliances.
From expanders to bite correctors these appliances help ensure successful treatment outcomes.
What Are Orthodontic Appliances?
Orthodontic appliances are devices for your teeth. These corrective appliances are custom made for your dentition. They are most commonly used in children and teenagers.
These devices can help with various issues:
- Narrow jaw
- Jaw irregularities ie. underbite / overbite
- Crossbites
- Habits ie. thumb sucking
We conduct a full assessment to determine what appliance best suits your treatment plan and needs.
What Are the Different Types of Orthodontic Appliances?
Depending on your treatment goal, orthodontic appliances are customised to correct your bite. Some of the commonly used appliances include :
Bite Correctors
This device is mainly used in young, growing patients. It helps to correct and improve jaw relationships while patient is still growing.
For patients with a small lower jaw, and a big gap between their top teeth and lower teeth, bite correctors are often used to normalise the position and alignment of the lower jaw.
Expanders
Narrow upper jaw is a very common compliant. These patients will benefit from the help of an expander.
Expanders help to widen the upper jaw. There are 2 main types of expanders – fixed or removable. Our orthodontist will decide which one is most suitable for your child based on various factors, including the age of the patient and the severity of the problem.
Upper Removable Appliance (URA)
URAs are commonly known as “plates”. They are removable appliances where patients can take out for eating and brushing. They are commonly used as early intervention measure in children to correct issues like:
- deep bite
- traumatic bite
- narrow jaw
- crossbite
Why Orthodontic Appliances are important?
Age is very critical in correcting certain bite problems and jaw misalignment. Most of the appliances listed above can only be used while the patient is still growing. So we recommend having a consultation to first understand the issues so we can plan accordingly. This helps you to avoid missing out on this narrow window of opportunity for early intervention which will prevent complicated treatment in the future.
What to Expect During Treatment
At Marvel Orthodontics, you can expect some of the best treatments in the North Shore region of Sydney. We create custom orthodontic appliances and individualised treatment plans for every patient.
We understand the needs of growing children or adults looking to correct dental issues. We will advise on the best approach to your orthodontic issues, lifestyle, and budget.
How to Look After Your Orthodontic Appliances
The best way to care for your orthodontic appliance is to consult an expert for advice. We do not recommend self-diagnosis of any errors or faults with your appliance. If you think something is wrong, please contact us and let us help.
The best way to care for these appliances is to clean them regularly. Report any discomfort or changes to your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Ready to sign up for orthodontic appliances? Book an in-depth consultation with us today!