Types of Orthodontic Appliances

Orthodontic appliances are essential for achieving a healthy, properly aligned smile. They help address various alignment and bite issues and are tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Here’s an overview of some common appliances we use.

Palatal Expander

A Palatal Expander is often used during early interceptive (Phase I) treatment but may also be part of teenage orthodontics. This device is cemented to the upper molars and is designed to gradually widen the upper jaw, especially when:

• The upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw.
• The upper teeth are crowded or blocked out of the dental arch.

A young age is important for reliable palatal expansion. For growing patients, the bones and connective tissue in the upper jaw are not yet fused and thus still responsive to expansion. Using a special key, we activate the expander over the course of 2-6 weeks, applying gradual pressure to widen the upper jaw and promote new bone growth. 

Because the roof of the mouth (palate) is also the floor of the nose, a palatal expander can also improve the nasal airway. More on that here.

Mini-Herbst Appliance

The Mini-Herbst Appliance is highly effective for correcting a recessive lower jaw and excessive overjet. This appliance uses a telescoping rod and tube mechanism to:

• Move the lower jaw into a therapeutic position to direct growth.
• Hold the upper teeth and jaw in their current position allowing the lower jaw to ‘catch up’.

Our Mini-Herbst appliance, like all of our metal appliances, are 3D metal printed, giving them a small footprint and excellent fit. They are non-removable, socially acceptable, and because they’re custom made for you, comfortable. Most patients adapt within a few days. It’s typically worn for 9 to 12 months, with adjustments every 4-10 weeks.

We love the Herbst appliance because:

• We achieve faster and more predictable results than with removable appliances like headgear.
• Continuous wear eliminates the need for patient compliance.
• It can reduce overall treatment time for bite correction.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) are small, screw-like dental devices made of titanium alloy. They act as fixed points to help guide tooth movement and are removed once treatment is complete.

TADs offer several benefits, including:

• Space closure for missing teeth or dental implants.
• Bite corrections for overbites, underbites, deep bites, or open bites.
• Reduced need for elastics (rubber bands).
• Shortened treatment times.
• Potentially avoiding jaw (orthognathic) surgery for complex cases.

TADs are especially useful for more complex orthodontic cases and help achieve results that may not have been possible with traditional methods. Dr. Sebastian is a leading expert in the field of TADs and patients come to see him from near and far for this advanced treatment method.

TADs are also anchors for a more advanced palatal expander we use in adults called MARPE (miniscrew-assisted-rapid-palatal-expansion).

MARPE

Miniscrew-assisted-rapid-palatal-expansion. This appliance is a cornerstone of an airway-focused treatment plan and it allows us to achieve upper jaw expansion even in adults where the jaw bones are typically fused.

Conceptually similar to the palatal expander described above, this appliance can achieve expansion in adults by being anchored not just to the molars like in children, but also to 2-8 TADs, thus creating a skeletally anchored expander.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

Curious if one of these appliances might be part of your treatment plan? Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team at Mountain View Orthodontics to learn more about your personalized options.