Retention and Appliances

Orthodontic Care in Coral Springs

At John Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages in Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Parkland & the surrounding communities. Dr. John and her friendly team will work closely with you to ensure that you receive personalized a personalized treatment plan that fits both your lifestyle and your budget.

Retention

After you’ve completed orthodontic treatment and had your braces removed, we’ll begin the retention stage of treatment. This phase usually lasts about 24 months and is incredibly important in maintaining the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve worked so hard to achieve. It’s important to take good care of your retainer by removing it before you eat and brush your teeth, and replacing it once you’ve finished. Dr. John will discuss your retainer options with you in order to choose one that is best suited to your needs.

Essix Retainers

Essix Retainers are clear, removable retainers that are similar to Invisalign. They are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Lingual Retainers

Lingual retainers consist of a small wire bonded directly to the inside of your lower teeth. Lingual retainers are permanent, which means they are one of the best ways to keep your teeth from shifting. It’s important to keep your retainer clean by carefully brushing the inside of your lower teeth to keep the wire clean.

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainer is one of the most common retainers. It’s made of a combination of metal wires and acrylic to keep your teeth in place. Hawley retainers are removable and should be taken out to eat and brush your teeth. Make sure to take good care of your retainer by cleaning it regularly. Hawley retainers can be customized with different colors or patterns.

Orthodontic Appliances

Herbst Appliance

The Herbst appliance is used when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower teeth. Usually when the upper jaw and teeth protrude like this, it’s due to the lower jaw being further back than it should be. A Herbst appliance helps the lower jaw catch up in growth, and correct the protruding upper jaw.

A Herbst appliance doesn’t prevent the jaw from opening and closing regularly, meaning that you can eat and drink as you usually would. There are certain foods you will need to avoid, or be careful while eating, including:

• Cold foods such as ice slushes & popsicles
• Sticky foods such as caramel & gum
• Hard foods such as crunch vegetables & hard candies

If you develop soreness on the inside of your cheeks from the appliance, please do not try to adjust it yourself. Call for an appointment so that Dr. John can make the necessary adjustments

MARA

The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA) is used to treat class II malocclusions and can reduce treatment time. The appliance is secured to the patient’s first molars using stainless steel crowns. Because there are no removable parts, patient compliance is never an issue. Chewing may feel strange at first because of the repositioning of your jaw, but it will soon feel normal. You should avoid hard, crunch foods to prevent the MARA from breaking. Treatment time generally lasts between 15 and 18 months.

Rapid Palatal Expander

The Rapid Palatal Expander is used when the upper jaw is either too narrow for the lower jaw or when the upper teeth are overcrowded. It’s attached to the upper molars through bonding or cemented bands and is used to create a wider space in the upper jaw. Rapid Palatal expanders are best for younger patients who are still growing. We’ll provide a special key that is used to turn a crew in the center of the expander. This gradual outward pressure allows an increased amount of bone growth.

Thumb/Finger Appliance

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Children usually cease thumb sucking when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. If thumb sucking continues after the eruption of primary teeth, it can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb sucking behavior in your child, talk to your dentist.

One solution to thumb sucking is an appliance called a “fixed palatal crib.” It’s placed behind the child’s teeth on the roof of the mouth. The crib consists of semicircular stainless steel wires that are fastened to molars using steel bands. The stainless steel wires fit behind the child’s upper front teeth and are barely visible. The crib usually stops the habit of thumb sucking within the first day of use.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about orthodontic appliances or you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. John, contact our Coral Springs office today. We are always happy to help! We look forward to hearing from you!