Elastics | Herbst Appliance | Palatal Expander | Forsus Appliance
Elastics
Elastics are tiny rubber bands that move your teeth in a way that braces alone cannot. They help improve how upper and lower teeth fit together (your bite). You hook elastics onto your braces. Once they're in, they work with your braces to line up your teeth. Generally worn at all times (excluding brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed a couple of times a day. They come in various sizes as they are each used for a specific purpose. We will provide you with the appropriate size and give you instructions on wear.
If you run out of elastics, call us and we can put some in the mail or stop by our SOS mailbox and pick some up.
It is important to wear your elastics consistently or treatment setbacks may occur. If the rubber bands are not worn everyday it could cause your teeth to shift back to their original position!
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Herbst Appliance
One of the most common problems orthodontists treat is the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Usually this is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. The Herbst appliance can help with the correction of this problem by positioning the lower jaw in a more forward position.
Wearing a Herbst Appliance
The Herbst Appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, and opening and closing movement still occur easily. Patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.
Your Herbst Appliance will be checked and adjusted at your appointments. If you develop some sore areas on the inside of your cheeks, please do not try to adjust the appliance yourself. Call for an appointment so that the necessary adjustments can be made.
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Palatal Expander
A palatal expander is an appliance that fits into the roof of your mouth (palate). It widens your palate to improve the way your upper and lower jaws and teeth fit together (your bite). You wear a palatal expander for about 6 months. During the first few weeks, you or your orthodontist may expand the appliance.
In about a week or so, you may see spaces between your teeth. That's a sign the expander is working. Your teeth will shift after the expansion to fill in the gaps.
Please click on the image to begin the video.
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Forsus Appliance
The Forsus Appliance is used in order to help move the upper molars back while moving the lower arch forward. Composed of a spring coil rod, the appliance is used while a patient is currently wearing braces. It runs from the upper first molar band down to the lower archwire.
It is important to keep the appliance clean; you may do this by carefully brushing the coil and other metal pieces of the appliance. Also, we recommend that patients not open their mouths very wide, as the appliance may come apart.
If your Forsus Appliance breaks, please contact our office immediately to schedule a repair appointment.
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