Part of your treatment plan may include the use of orthodontic appliances, either as part of the treatment itself (such as with braces) or in addition to your regular treatment. Dr. Feinstein will evaluate the positions of your teeth and your tooth movement to determine if an appliance is needed, and if so which type of appliance will be most beneficial for you.
Common orthodontic appliances include:
Archwires
If you receive braces, your treatment will involve the use of an archwire. The archwire is the wire which runs along your teeth and connects each bracket. Archwires do much of the work in aligning your teeth by providing the gentle force needed to adjust the position of your teeth.
Brackets
Brackets are part of braces treatment. A bracket is the individual piece bonded to the tooth surface and helps hold the archwire in place.
Coil Springs
Coil springs fit over the archwire between your brackets and work to open or close gaps between the teeth.
Elastics
Elastics are small rubber bands. They are provided to correct and coordinate your bite and jaws. Elastics are attached from an anchor point on a tooth in your upper arch to an anchor point on a tooth in your lower arch.
Elastic (Ligature) Ties
This appliance is also a small rubber band, but fits around the brackets of braces to hold the archwire in place. These elastics come in a wide array of colors so you can personalize your treatment.
Carriere® Motion Appliance
The Carriere Motion Appliance is designed to help correct misaligned teeth prior to treatment with braces or Invisalign® clear aligners. It makes small adjustments to the upper and lower teeth to create a better bite alignment, reducing the amount of time your regular orthodontic treatment will take to complete.
Forsus Appliance
The Forsus appliance, or Forsus spring, is a small spring coil rod that connects the upper and lower braces. It works by moving the upper teeth back and the lower teeth forward.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards, also known as sports guards or athletic mouth guards, are custom-made appliances designed to prevent oral injury. We strongly recommend that anyone who plays a sport or participates in other recreational athletic activities wear a mouth guard, especially if they are playing a high-contact sport.
Palatal Expanders
This orthodontic appliance is typically provided for children whose jawbones are still developing and who have narrow dental arches. A palatal expander has a metal center that expands on activation with a certain key. Each time the expander is activated it slowly widens the upper palate, gradually ensuring that the permanent teeth have enough space to erupt properly.
Retainers
After you complete your treatment and your smile is properly aligned, our orthodontist will provide you with a retainer to help keep your newly aligned teeth in their correct positions. There are several types of retainers, and we will discuss all your options with you to find the right type of retainer for you.
Separators (Spacers)
Separators are small, donut-shaped elastic rings. They are placed between the teeth to push them apart and make space for other orthodontic appliances, such as the bands needed to anchor braces in place.
Contact Us Today
Call Feinstein 360 Orthodontics at 804-735-0365 to make your appointment and learn more about orthodontic appliances in Chesterfield, Virginia, and how they can benefit your smile.
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