Most orthodontic appliances are made using different types of wires and different color acrylics. Your appliance may look different from your friends, especially if your orthodontist is not the same. All orthodontists design the appliances to fit each patient's teeth following each individual treatment plan.
If you are experiencing problems with your appliance, please read the Ortho Concerns page.
The following appliances may be used during treatment as these are the appliances that Dr. Bigman uses:
- Bite Plate
- Hawley Retainers
- Herbst
- Lingual Arch
- Lip Bumper
- Pendex
- Quad Helix
- Rapid Palatal Expander
- Schwartz
- Trans Palatal Bar
- T Rex
- Twin Block
The Bite Plate/Plane is designed to fit the upper teeth and open a deep bite (when the top teeth come down too far over the lower front teeth). The way it works is by covering the biting surface of only the upper front teeth which creates a space between the molars. The space created gives the upper molars room to come down as the lower molars come up until they meet. For optimal results the Bite Plate/Plane should be worn 24 hours a day and only removed for eating and brushing. Every time you brush your teeth you should also brush the Bite Plate/Plane with your tooth paste and toothbrush. We recommend use of a denture cleaner a minimum of 3 times a week. There may be an adjustment period and speech may be affected for a short period of time. It may take a few weeks to completely adjust to your new Bite Plate/Plane. Make sure to bring it to every appointment.
The Hawley Retainer is a removable acrylic and wire appliance that is made specifically for each individual by taking an impression. It can be upper or lower or both. The retainer's job is to hold or retain the correction made by treatment with braces. When you first get the retainers you will be instructed to wear them full time except when you eat and brush. As your teeth stabilize in the bone you will be instructed to reduce the number of hours you wear your retainers. We instruct and encourage all of our patients to continue to wear their retainers indefinitely. Even wearing your retainers up to two nights a week for the rest of your life will reinforce the stabilization of your straight teeth.
The Herbst is a fixed functional appliance that improves the way your teeth and jaw fit together. The Herbst works by moving your lower jaw forward which repositions the jaw joint. By repositioning your jaw, the Herbst promotes bone growth in the joint. It may take a few weeks to get adjusted to it, and we suggest a soft food diet to begin with. Your upper and lower teeth may not touch when you close your mouth at first and you may experience some tenderness. There is a chance that the rods will slip out of the tubes if you open your mouth wide or yawn. If this happens you can simply guide the rods back into the tubes. If you experience irritation on your cheeks or lips, wax can be applied to the area for temporary relief. Brushing may seem more difficult at first but you need to make a special effort to keep your teeth clean. You must brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. During your treatment with the Herbst, small metal rings called shims may be added to the rods by Dr. Bigman. The shims provide additional activation to the appliance as needed. Depending on bone growth, the Herbst is normally worn for 6-9 months.
The Lingual Arch is a wire that is attached to bands placed on your back molars that follows the backs of your teeth (by your tongue). This appliance is glued to your molars and is not removable. This wire may also be called a space maintainer. A lingual arch can be an upper appliance, lower appliance, or both. The purpose of this wire is to hold back your first permanent molars while the baby molars are lost. If premature loss of the baby molars occur, the first permanent molars drift forward toward the front of the mouth which can block out and crowd the permanent bicuspids and cuspids from coming in correctly. This appliance usually remains in until the permanent bicuspids and cuspids are erupted.
The purpose of a Lip Bumper is to move your lower molars towards the back of your mouth. By taking advantage of your lip muscles we are able to move your lower molars creating more space for your other permanent teeth. The Lip Bumper should be worn 24 hours a day and should not interfere with normal movement, talking, eating or brushing. If the bar slips out of the molar tubes, reinsert gently one side at a time making sure that the bumps are facing down towards the gums. The Lip Bumper has rubber tubing for your comfort. Be sure to brush the Lip Bumper thoroughly every time you brush as food can get caught underneath it. Make sure that you bring it to every appointment.
The Pendex is a fixed (glued in) functional appliance that expands your upper arch and moves your molars towards the back of your mouth. It is attached to your upper back teeth by metal bands and to your pre-molars (side teeth) by glue that is tooth colored. The Pendex is an active appliance that is activated by having an adult turn the key. As the key is turned a space may develop between the upper front teeth. This is expected and normal. This space that is made is used to create room to properly align teeth. When the key has been turned you may feel pressure along your pre-molars for about a day. This is expected. After placement of the Pendex you may notice that you are biting on the wires or glue, this is normal. There will be an adjustment period where speech and eating may be affected. We suggest a soft food diet that doesn't require a lot of chewing for the first week. The Pendex will rest along the roof of your mouth which may cause food to get trapped. We suggest that you spend extra time and care in brushing your teeth and this appliance including around all wires. Flossing is still possible with this appliance and we recommend it to be done daily. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call.
The Quad Helix is an appliance for the upper teeth that is cemented in your mouth during Phase I. It is attached to your molars by 2 bands and has four active helix springs that widen the arch of your mouth to make room for crowded teeth. The helix is activated prior to cementation and will be adjusted as necessary throughout your treatment by Dr. Bigman. There is a short adjustment period and speech may be affected. Special attention to brushing is required with this appliance and you will need to ensure that you brush thoroughly after every meal. An imprint may appear on your tongue from this appliance, this is nomal. Do not use your fingers or tongue to play with your Quad Helix because it can affect treatment or break your appliance. Check your appliance every day by inspecting for loose bands. If the bands are loose they will move up and down on your teeth. If the bands are loose or mobile in any way please call the office to schedule an appointment. The Quad Helix is an appliance for the upper teeth that is cemented in your mouth during Phase I. It is attached to your molars by 2 bands and has four active helix springs that widen the arch of your mouth to make room for crowded teeth. The helix is activated prior to cementation and will be adjusted as necessary throughout your treatment by Dr. Bigman. There is a short adjustment period and speech may be affected. Special attention to brushing is required with this appliance and you will need to ensure that you brush thoroughly after every meal. An imprint may appear on your tongue from this appliance, this is nomal. Do not use your fingers or tongue to play with your Quad Helix because it can affect treatment or break your appliance. Check your appliance every day by inspecting for loose bands. If the bands are loose they will move up and down on your teeth. If the bands are loose or mobile in any way please call the office to schedule an appointment.
The Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) is used to widen your palate to create room for more teeth. It is an appliance that is attached to your teeth by bands or plastic. It is expanded with a key which is turned by an adult. If expansion is needed more than once a day, ensure that they are evenly spaced throughout the day. The RPE is activated for approximately 1 month and creates the space that is needed with proper compliance. After expansion is complete the appliance will act as a space maintainer while bone growth is completed in the palate. It is normal for spaces to appear between the upper front teeth during expansion. The space is needed to properly align your teeth. Pressure will be experienced during the active expansion period and special attention to hygiene is required. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call.
The Schwarz is a removable appliance that is worn to expand your arches. Your treatment may include an upper appliance, lower appliance or both. For optimal results your Schwarz should be worn 24 hours a day and removed only for eating and brushing. An adult needs to turn the key to ensure proper activation. You may feel pressure shortly after activation, therefore we recommend turning the key before bedtime. Ensure that the appliance is seated in your mouth properly especially after activation. To keep your appliance clean, brush it every time you brush your teeth and soak in denture cleaner at least 3 times a week. Expansion is normally active for 4-6 months with compliance then wear is continued to maintain space and promote bone development in the dental arches. In some cases a gap will appear in between the front teeth. Don't be alarmed, we are creating space for your other permanent teeth. You will receive a case to store your Schwarz. When the Schwarz is not in your mouth or being cleaned, make sure that it is in the case. Please bring the Schwarz to each appointment. If your Schwarz is fitting improperly or does not seat all the way, please call our office so that it can be adjusted.
The Trans Palatal Bar (TPB) is an appliance which consists of bands on the upper molars and a bar that goes across the roof of your mouth connecting the bands. The bands are custom fit to each patient and then cemented. The bar is inserted into slots on the inside of the bands and will be tied into place. The bar should not touch the roof of your mouth. The TPB has many uses and depending on how we need to move your teeth determines how long you will have it in. The TPB may leave an imprint on your tongue which is normal. There will be an adjustment period and speech may be affected. If necessary, Dr. Bigman will activate the TPB which may cause pressure following the appointment - this means the teeth are moving. Patients need to spend extra time during brushing to maintain good oral hygiene. Pay special attention to brushing around the bands as food may get trapped. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call.
The T-Rex is a fixed (glued in) functional appliance that expands your upper arch and moves your molars towards the back of your mouth. It is attached to your upper back teeth by metal bands and to your pre-molars (side teeth) by glue that is tooth colored. The T-Rex is an active appliance that is activated by having an adult turn the key. As the key is turned a space may develop between the upper front teeth. This is expected and normal. This space that is made is used to create room to properly align teeth. When the key has been turned you may feel pressure along your pre-molars for about a day. This is expected. After placement of the T-Rex you may notice that you are biting on the wires or glue, this is normal. There will be an adjustment period where speech and eating may be affected. We suggest a soft food diet that doesn't require a lot of chewing for the first week. The T-Rex will rest along the roof of your mouth which may cause food to get trapped. We suggest that you spend extra time and care in brushing your teeth and this appliance including around all wires. Flossing is still possible with this appliance and we recommend it to be done daily. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call.
The Twin Block is primarily used in Phase I treatment to correct the bite (open or deep), reposition the lower jaw, increase arch development and/or expand, depending upon your diagnosis. The Twin Block uses the forces of occlusion (how the upper and lower jaw come together) to either open or close the bite depending on the design. With the Twin Block, 24 hour wear is recommended for optimal results and should not interfere with normal movements of the tongue, lips and lower jaw even though your teeth will not be touching. The Twin Block should only be removed to eat and brush. Care of the Twin Block should consist of brushing the upper and lower appliance every time you brush your teeth and a denture cleaner should be used a minimum of 3 times a week. If expansion is required you will receive a key which will be turned at home by an adult. There will be an adjustment period and speech may be affected for a short period of time. Make sure that you follow the instructions given to you on how to remove and replace your Twin Block to ensure that it is properly placed and seated every time. It is important to make sure that you bring it to every appointment.Back to Top
