TYPES OF APPLIANCES

We offer different types of appliances to meet our patients’ unique orthodontic needs! Once you complete your complimentary exam with Dr. King, we will discuss your smile goals, your current orthodontic condition, and your available treatment options.

We may suggest any of the following appliances to maximize the efficiency of your treatment:

Elastic (Rubber Bands)

Used in accordance with braces, rubber bands are hooked around brackets on both the upper and lower teeth to shift the jaw and teeth into proper alignment.

When Dr. King creates your personalized treatment plan, he’ll explain how often to wear your elastics and where to hook them on your braces. How frequently you wear them will depend on your specific case.

Forsus™

The Forsus™ Fatigue Resistant Device, an alternative treatment option to headgear, corrects problematic overbites and realigns the jaw and teeth into the proper formation to prevent the necessity for further treatments.

This device is often used to treat excessive overbites, by shifting the upper jaw backward and the lower jaw forward. The Forsus™ device applies constant pressure to the jaw bones, by use of high-quality coil springs.

Herbst® Appliance

The Herbst® appliance is effective for correcting an overbite condition by shifting the lower jaw forward and the upper jaw backward. Typically used for younger, growing mouths, this appliance is comprised of stainless steel bands wrapped around the molars to enforce a healthy jaw alignment. This device replaced actually the “head gear” our parents grew up with. 

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander expands the upper jaw by use of pressure. With this appliance, you will have a key that works to crank the appliance slightly each day. This consistent cranking gradually expands the device and, by default, expands the upper jaw.

This device is worn for a minimum of 6 months and is effective at improving breathing and creating space to prevent crowded teeth from being pulled.

Positioners

The teeth positioner appliance is a custom-made aligner used as the final step following a treatment, such as braces. This appliance promotes proper foundation and position in the teeth to ensure that you benefited fully from the previous treatment.

This appliance should be used for about 1 to 2 months following treatment and depending on your specific condition. Wear it as often as prescribed by your orthodontist to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Retainers

To encourage and maintain straight teeth after a treatment, a retainer may be prescribed to wear as directed. Retainers can be removable or permanently cemented into place.

Retainers MUST be worn as your orthodontist prescribes, or your teeth will shift back into misalignment.

Separators or Spacers

Spacer appliances are small rubber circles placed between the teeth to push them apart and make way for braces to be put into place. These are used in patients who have teeth in very close proximity to each other.

Separators are temporary appliances, removed by your next appointment within 1 to 2 weeks depending on your specific orthodontic condition.

When you schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. King & Dr. Welch at our Jupiter, FL office, we will assess your unique condition to determine which appliance is necessary for achieving your ideal smile.