Orthodontic Appliances

At Family Orthodontics of the Palm Beaches, we utilize orthodontic appliances for children, teens, and adults. Some appliances can be used to prepare your child’s smile for future orthodontic treatment and shorten treatment time down the road. The appliances we offer include retainers, orthodontic expanders, the Herbst appliance, and the Carriere Motion Appliance. If you or a member of your family could benefit from an orthodontic appliance in the Palm Beaches, FL, area, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team today!

Retainer

A retainer is typically used following orthodontic treatment, such as braces or Invisalign, to keep teeth from shifting out of place. A retainer may be recommended by our orthodontist for full-time use or only at nighttime, depending on your orthodontic needs.

Orthodontic Expander

An orthodontic expander works by gradually and gently widening the upper jaw. This helps to create more space in a patient’s mouth. This appliance is used most often for three common orthodontic needs:

  • Crossbite – Expanding the jaw can treat crossbite, which occurs when the upper back teeth fit inside of the lower teeth when a patient bites down. 
  • Crowding – As a child’s smile develops, our orthodontist can help ensure that they have room for their new teeth to grow. An orthodontic expander, by widening the jaw, can create more room for future teeth. This can help avoid extractions in the future.
  • Impacted Teeth – An impacted tooth occurs when existing teeth keep a tooth from growing properly. By expanding the jaw, the tooth can have room to fully erupt. 

In addition to fixing the above orthodontic needs, an expander can also be used to improve breathing, shorten orthodontic treatment time, and broaden one’s smile to improve their overall appearance. An orthodontic expander is custom-made to fit over several of the upper back teeth. Expanders are normally worn for around 3-6 months.

Herbst Appliance

This type of appliance is used to align the upper and lower jaws and to correct an overbite. On each corner of the mouth, a cap is secured over a back molar. This appliance works best for younger patients who still have growing smiles. The Herbst appliance isn’t always recommended for an overbite, but some cases can greatly benefit from this appliance. The Herbst appliance is typically worn for 9-12 months and helps reduce the length of orthodontic treatment needed in the future.

Carriere Motion Appliance

This appliance fixes a misaligned bite for the back teeth. On each side of the mouth, the Carriere Motion Appliance attaches to both a canine tooth and the molar next to it. Applying subtle pressure on the teeth, this appliance slowly shifts them into the correct position. The Carriere Motion Appliance is normally worn for around 6 months. This appliance can be beneficial in shortening future orthodontic treatment.

Scheduling a Consultation

If you or a family member has teeth alignment issues and would like to learn more about orthodontic appliances, a consultation can answer all of your questions. Our orthodontist will examine your alignment and give you the best treatment options to benefit your smile. Call our team or schedule your visit online today!

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