Growth Modification Appliances
Enlisted are some of the appliances used in conjunction with the orthodontic treatment in order to achieve a perfect result. These appliances are used additionally since the entire treatment cannot be completed using braces or aligners alone.
Headgear: Headgear is an orthodontic appliance used along with braces in order to correct severe bite problems and guide the growth of the jaw and face. It acts as an anchorage and helps to move teeth into their correct positions. It is used in children, where bones in the jaw are still in the phase of growth.
Chin Cup: It is an extra-oral orthopaedic appliance which is attached to the chin. It forbids the forward and downward growth of the lower jaw.
Palatal Expander: It is an orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw so that the upper and lower teeth can properly fit in together. Palatal expanders are used to correct cross bites and reduce overcrowding by creating space for all teeth in the upper jaw to erupt correctly in their respective positions.
Nance Appliance: It is used to prevent the rotation of upper molars or to prevent forward drifting of upper molars after extraction of primary teeth or during orthodontic treatment. It consists of two bands cemented on the first molars on both sides, connected by means of a wire which touches the roof of mouth right behind the front teeth. The wire is further covered by an acrylic pad.
Temporary Anchorage Devices: These are very minute screw like implants which provide stable anchorage during orthodontic treatment. They are temporary and are removed once their purpose is served.
Herbst Appliance: It is a non removable appliance used to advance the lower jaw forward and helps in the correction of overbite and overjet. It creates a force which aids in the growth of lower jaw.
Forsus: It consists of a spring coil rod which is attached from the upper first molar to the lower canine. It helps in the advancement of the lower jaw.
Elastic Bands: Elastic bands are used to move upper and lower teeth in accordance with one another in order to achieve a better bite. They are used in correction of overbites, underbites and alignment of jaw.
Twin Block: It is an orthodontic appliance consisting of two posterior bite blocks which work by transmission of occlusal forces for the correction of malocclusion. It is designed for full time wear and helps in the advancement of the lower jaw.
Myobrace: Myobrace is the pre-orthodontic treatment which targets the causes of crooked teeth, without the need for braces or extraction of teeth and thereby stimulating natural growth and development. It involves use of series of removable intra-oral appliances that are worn for 1-2 hours a day and additionally while sleeping. It works by correcting poor oral habits, develops & aligns the jaws, straightens the teeth and optimises facial development.
Bite Plane: It is an orthodontic appliance worn on the occlusal surface of the teeth to prevent their overlapping. It is used in cases of deep bite.
Face Mask: Face mask is an orthodontic appliance used to correct underbite and conditions where the upper jaw is behind the lower jaw. It thereby helps in correcting the skeletal imbalance by aiding the advancement of the upper jaw.
Transpalatal Arch: A transpalatal arch is used to stabilize the location of the upper molars.
Lingual Arch: It is used to connect two molars into the lower jaw. It consists of a wire running on the lingual side of the lower teeth connecting two molars and prevents their forward migration.
Maxillary Expansion Screw: It is a procedure involving expansion of the upper jaw. It involves the separation of mid palatine suture which runs through the centre of the roof of the mouth.
Habit Breaking Appliance: It is removable or fixed appliance used to stop certain repeated harmful habits in children.
Lip Bumper: This appliance is used to curb habit of lip biting. It keeps the lip away from the lower teeth, thereby preventing the child to bite his or her own lip.