Braces treatment is common for kids and teenagers. In fact, 25% to 50% of all kids in this country need orthodontic treatment — maybe even more, depending on the study. But not all kids get braces first. Some get braces appliances before the braces.
What are orthodontic appliances, and why would you need them? Most appliances are used to improve the results of the braces treatment. In a few cases, appliance-based braces can reduce or eliminate the time needed for braces.
Smith & Davis Orthodontics uses appliances for patients with more challenging cases or those who may just need a little repair instead of months of treatment. Orthodontic appliances can be used in these ways and more.
Let’s explore what orthodontic appliances can do for your smile!
What Are Orthodontic Appliances?
When we say “orthodontic appliances,” what do we mean? That term includes several tools that can help straighten your smile. Most orthodontic appliances are used to prepare your teeth for later treatment or to help your teeth and jaws develop properly.
Some children just need spacers to keep space available for permanent teeth to erupt. Others may need palate expanders to widen the jaw and allow enough space for adult teeth. In a few cases, that may be all children need to develop a healthy smile. For others, these appliances make it easier for braces to do their jobs later.
Let’s talk about some of the appliances your child could need before braces treatment.
Palate Expander
A palate expander helps widen a narrow upper jaw. This is often used on children with underdeveloped jaws who may lack the space for all their permanent teeth. This could lead to crowded teeth without intervention.
A palate expander fits on the roof of the mouth with metal wires that press against the teeth on each side of the device. A “key” is turned in the device daily to provide a little more pressure against the teeth. Over several months, this device widens the jaw, allowing enough space for all the teeth to come in properly.
In rare cases, the palate expander widens the jaw enough to prevent future tooth crowding, so the patient doesn’t need braces later. In the vast majority of cases, though, the patient will still need braces. They may just not need them for as long and may not need extractions to make room for the teeth.
Tongue Crib
Some children have dental issues due to habits that need to be broken, such as thumb-sucking or tongue thrust. We have dental appliances that can help them break these habits and prevent further damage to their teeth and jaws.
A tongue crib is a wire appliance that fits on the back teeth in the upper jaw. The wires connect to a “basket” in the front that holds the tip of the tongue in place behind the teeth.
This device can prevent both tongue thrust and thumbsucking. It holds the tongue away from the front teeth and prevents it from thrusting forward, which would move the teeth. It also makes it impossible to position the thumb in the mouth to suck. This also stops a pacifier habit.
Herbst Appliance
What if the lower jaw is the problem instead of the upper jaw? The Herbst Appliance is often used for recessed lower jaws. It’s attached to the molars and pulls the lower jaw forward, which makes the lower jaw grow and line up with the upper jaw. It can also push the upper jaw back while pulling the lower jaw forward.
The Herbst Appliance can be worn for up to 12 months to help the jaws develop more closely to normal and to make it easier to realign the teeth.
Spacers
Some molars (back teeth) may be too close together and may need room so braces bands can slip over them and hold the braces archwires. In those cases, we use spacers to pry the teeth apart just enough.
Spacers are often used just before braces treatment. They may only be worn a week or two — time to create just enough space for braces brackets.
These are just a few of the most common orthodontic appliances we use to help you achieve amazing results and a beautiful new smile!
Why Do I Need Orthodontic Appliances?
Why do we use dental appliances before braces? Braces alone can do a great job straightening your teeth, but sometimes you need more to ensure you not only get a straight smile but that you keep it.
If you don’t break the habits that harm your teeth, they can return and damage your smile again. Moving your teeth into their proper positions won’t help much if your jaws are still misaligned.
Orthodontic appliances can help set up your teeth and jaws for better results with braces treatment. However, not everyone needs orthodontic appliances first. Some patients do fine with just braces treatment.
How Do I Know I Need Orthodontic Appliances?
Not every patient needs pre-treatment with orthodontic appliances. So how do you know you need them?
Smith & Davis Orthodontics provides a thorough examination during your first visit. This includes dental x-rays and digital images that show us not only what your teeth look like but also what is inside your gums and bones. We also do a physical examination so we can see for ourselves what needs to be done.
From there, we create a comprehensive, personalized plan to restore your smile and improve your oral health. It’s then that we determine whether you need orthodontic appliances before braces or can get braces at your next visit.
At Smith & Davis Orthodontics, you will always know what’s in store for your treatment before we begin.
FAQs About Braces Pre-Treatment
Will I need orthodontic appliances before braces?
Each patient is different, and not everyone needs orthodontic appliances before braces. During your first visit, we’ll evaluate your smile and create a personalized treatment plan to determine if an appliance is recommended before braces.
How long will I need to wear an orthodontic appliance?
The duration depends on the type of orthodontic appliance and the severity of the issue being treated. Spacers may only be needed for a week or two, while appliances like a tongue crib may be worn for several months or longer.
Are orthodontic appliances included in the cost of braces?
Yes. At Smith & Davis Orthodontics, your orthodontic appliances are included as part of your overall treatment plan. We believe in transparent pricing, so you’ll know exactly what your treatment includes and how much it costs from the start.
Do orthodontic appliances make braces treatment faster?
In many cases, yes. Orthodontic appliances help correct issues early, which can make braces treatment more efficient and help achieve better long-term results.
What age are orthodontic appliances recommended?
Orthodontic appliances are often recommended as permanent teeth begin to come in, typically between ages 7 and 14. Many patients benefit from appliances between ages 9 and 11, when early orthodontic treatment can guide proper jaw growth and tooth alignment.
Braces Treatment in Rogers, AR
Orthodontic appliances aren’t always necessary, but in several cases, they can help set the patient up for the best possible success with braces treatment. Our goal in using orthodontic appliances is to make your treatment as quick, efficient, and comfortable as possible while helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Do you need orthodontic appliances in Rogers, AR? Schedule an appointment with Smith & Davis Orthodontics and let us create a customized treatment plan that covers all your orthodontic needs.
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