Orthodontic Appliances

Retainers are removable and are placed after braces have been removed. They serve a vital purpose in keeping the new position of the teeth secure. Retainers are worn every night, for as long as the patient would like to keep their teeth straight.

Rubber bands, or elastics, work with traditional orthodontic treatments such as braces. They can be vital to ensure the optimal success of your treatment, adding pressure to the jaws and teeth in order to align the bite.

Headgear is useful in correcting over and under-bites. To correct an overbite, the patient attaches a strap around the neck to the braces at night. Another type of headgear, called a face mask, is used to correct an underbite. The patient attaches this type to his/her braces or fixed appliance with elastics each night.

An expander is fixed in place for several months to widen the upper jaw in order to correct a cross-bite or give the teeth more room to erupt inside the mouth. Here at Cuozzo Orthodontic Specialists, we offer a state-of-the-art option called the Memoria® Leaf Spring Activated Expander. The Leaf Expander’s innovative, spring-loaded design can take a lot of the hassle and worry out of the hands of patients (and parents). It releases calibrated, continuous force that is made to be lighter and less uncomfortable when compared to other types of expanders. Once the Leaf Expander is fitted and placed in the patient’s mouth, a week later it is activated. After that, the device is self-activating, so moms and dads do not have to turn the expander at home. The spring is easily reactivated in our office approximately every four weeks.

Temporary anchorage devices, commonly referred to as “TADs”) may be recommended for some patients in order to make their orthodontic treatment more effective. These small, titanium implants can be placed along with another orthodontic appliance, such as braces or Invisalign®, to give them a bit more help with shifting the teeth into the ideal position. TADs are precisely placed through soft tissue and bone to serve as a stable anchor for movement of the teeth, helping with the correction of common misalignment issues and general orthodontic concerns. Not all patients will need temporary anchorage devices, and some may not even need them throughout the entire length of their treatment. Placement of TADs is often a relatively quick procedure, and patients typically become accustomed to them within one to two days after they are placed.

Sometimes, new appliances and adjustments can cause discomfort or soreness in the lips, teeth, tongue, and cheeks. Warm saltwater rinses, dental wax, and over-the-counter pain relievers may help; however, our office should be contacted if pain and discomfort persist.

Dental wax can provide short-term relief to the area of the jutting wire. The wire can also be pushed down with a pencil eraser. If the wire is still poking please call the office.

Dental wax can help in these instances; and tweezers can be used to adjust the wire back into its proper place.

In cases of a loose band or bracket, an appointment at our office should be scheduled for repair. Please bring any broken parts of your braces with you to your repair appointment. In cases where the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, dental wax can typically be applied to keep you comfortable until your repair appointment.

Be sure to call our office right away if you suspect your appliance is loose, as it will need to be re-cemented.

This may be the result of not properly wearing the headgear. Typically, headgear feels more comfortable after time spent getting used to it. If the problem persists, please call Cuozzo Orthodontic Specialists.

In this instance, you should call our office for help. The headgear should not be worn until after you’ve consulted with our orthodontist.