Boynton Beach Office:
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Elastics (rubber bands) help your upper and lower teeth fit together properly. For best results, wear them as directed—rubber bands work much more efficiently when used as prescribed.
Forsus™
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces, but they do not require elastics. This results in fewer appointments and reduced friction on the teeth.
They are available in metal, ceramic, or clear brackets and are similar in size to traditional metal braces. Instead of elastics, self-ligating braces use a specialized clip to hold the archwire in place and guide teeth into proper alignment. This clip reduces pressure on the teeth and requires fewer adjustments since there are no elastics to replace.
Headgear
Headgear is used to treat patients with an overbite, where the upper jaw extends forward of the lower jaw, or an underbite, where the lower jaw extends forward of the upper jaw. It gently applies pressure to the teeth to help limit forward growth of the upper teeth and jaw.
Herbst® Appliance
The Herbst® appliance helps reduce overbite by guiding the lower jaw forward and moving the upper molars backward. This fixed appliance is most commonly used for younger, growing children and is typically worn for 12 to 15 months.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander widens your upper jaw by applying gentle pressure to your upper molars with each adjustment. Dr. Bally will guide you on when and how to adjust the appliance. Once the desired expansion is achieved, you will continue wearing the expander for several months to stabilize the results and prevent the jaw from reverting.
Positioners
Positioners finalize the last tooth movements at the end of your orthodontic treatment. With proper use, they usually need to be worn for just four to eight weeks.
Retainers
Retainers, removable or fixed, help maintain your teeth in their new positions after orthodontic treatment. We will show you how to care for your retainer and how long to wear it. Wearing it as instructed is essential to prevent your teeth from shifting back.
Separators or Spacers
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.
Twin Block Appliance
The twin block appliance stands out from other functional appliances because it uses two separate pieces—one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch—that work together to guide the lower jaw into an advanced position.
This patient-friendly appliance is worn full time, even while eating, but can be removed for easy cleaning. It is more comfortable than other jaw-correcting appliances because it is made of smooth acrylic and uses fewer wires.
Using a twin block appliance can result in a broader, more attractive smile, proper jaw function, an improved profile, and a stable, healthy temporomandibular joint.