Appliances

What are orthodontic appliances?

There are several orthodontic appliances Dr. Lee may add to your treatment plan to accelerate the performance of your braces. Typically, appliances are most effective for children whose jaw and teeth are still developing, but they’re also useful for some adults.

Several orthodontic appliances are available at Lee Orthodontics, including:

• Elastics: improves the fit of your upper teeth with your lower teeth
• Headgear: treats overbites and underbites by gently by pulling on your teeth to prevent the forward growth of your jaw and upper teeth
• Facemask: effective in correcting imbalances in the jaw that cause underbites by moving the upper teeth and jaw forward
• Tongue crib: an orthodontic device Dr. Lee may recommend to manage habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
• Palatal expander: a device that widens your upper jaw using gentle pressure on your upper molars with each adjustment

How long do I need to wear orthodontic appliances?

Dr. Lee discusses how long you can expect to wear your orthodontic devices based on your specific treatment plan.

If you need to wear headgear to correct overbites or underbites, you’ll need to wear it up to 14 hours every day, including while you sleep.

With a palatal expander, Dr. Lee may recommend keeping the device in for up to six months to let your bones heal correctly.

Elastics attach to the hooks of the brackets on braces, and you typically wear them all the time to promote effective teeth positioning.

To ensure maximum benefit of orthodontic devices, you should always wear your appliances as Dr. Lee recommends. Failure to follow these directions can mean your treatment will be less effective or make it take longer to achieve your desired results.

How do I maintain my orthodontic appliance?

If you have a removable appliance, you should take it out regularly for cleaning to keep it free of bacteria and food debris. Use a gentle toothbrush and your usual toothpaste to brush away debris and be sure to rinse thoroughly before putting the appliance back in your mouth.

With fixed appliances, you can clean them as you usually clean your teeth in most cases. Dr. Lee shows you how to maintain your fixed devices to prevent oral health complications like gum disease and tooth decay.

To learn more about the orthodontic appliances at Lee Orthodontics, call or make an appointment online today. We are happily accepting new patients in the East Bay area, including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.