Are you curious what's in your mouth? Dr. Gonzales and our team correct the alignment of your
teeth and jaws so that you can speak clearly, chew food effectively, and look
attractive when you smile. We do this by putting sophisticated gadgets in your
mouth. While many of these dental devices look similar, we use a wide variety
of orthodontic appliances to straighten your teeth and repair jaw problems.
Orthodontic appliances are devices that move your teeth,
change the position of your jaw, or hold your teeth in their finished positions
after your braces are removed. These devices may be removable or attached to
your teeth.
Braces straighten
your teeth. Brackets, bands, and wires characterize traditional braces. Braces
are attached to the teeth, so they are not easily removable.
Spacers or Separators
are small plastic rings fitted between your back teeth before your braces.
These spacers create space between your teeth that allow us to place bands on
your back teeth that will serve as the "anchor brace".
Retainers hold teeth
in their finished position after your braces come off. A Hawley retainer is the
most common type of retainer and has been used for decades; it features an
acrylic plate that rests against the roof of your mouth and a wire crossing in
front of your teeth. Essex retainers have been in use for around 25 years and are
quite popular, as they are durable and nearly invisible.
Bite plates are like
a Hawley retainer and help correct a deep overbite, where the upper front teeth
come down too far over the lower front teeth to cause bite problems.
Holding arches or Lingual Arches
prevent the back teeth from moving forward to crowd the front teeth during the
mixed dentition stage (age 7-11). A
lower lingual holding arch prevents your permanent molars from migrating
forward. The Nance holding arch is used on the upper
arch only and maintains the upper molar position while all of the other teeth
erupt. This helps hold space open while your permanent teeth erupt. This is
similar to the Lower holding arches.
A palatal expander
widens your upper jaw by separating the bones of your palate. This appliance
helps correct a posterior crossbite and helps your top and bottom teeth fit
together better. 
The Quad Helix is also a
palatal expander and widens your jaws to correct crossbites.
Contact our office today to learn more about the ways we can
improve the appeal and function of your smile.
