Spacers/Separators
Spacers or separators have been placed between your teeth to move your teeth slightly apart in order to make room for the braces. At your next appointment the spacers will be removed, and bands will be placed on your teeth.
The spacers often make teeth sore for two or three days. If soreness occurs, eat a softer diet and take an aspirin substitute if you wish. As your teeth move apart, the spacers may fall out. If the spacers fall out, please do not try to replace them. Simply call the office to determine if the spacers need to be replaced. To prevent spacers from coming out, do not pick at them with anything, and stay away from sticky foods. Also, do not floss where the spacers have been placed. Remember these guidelines are for you to take proper care of your spacers which will make you much more comfortable when your braces are placed.
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Expanders
Directions for activating the Palatal Expansion Appliance:
- The key must be inserted from the front, into the small round opening of the appliance at the midline. (Access to this round opening is much more easy if the area is brushed clean with a toothbrush first!)
- With the key inserted, push gently toward the back of the mouth until the key stops. This turns the expansion screw a small amount and also exposes the next keyhole to the front, for the next activation.
- Remove the key with a gentle pull toward the back of the mouth.
- Make ONE turn every other day as prescribed.
- At each activation, the patient experiences light pressure to the teeth and the associated bones of the face for a short amount of time. Any severe reaction that persists should be reported to Dr. Mansour. Normally, a space opens between the upper front teeth.
- The patient should be examined at either weekly or biweekly intervals during this period of activation.
- If the patient MISSES an appointment, STOP activating the appliance until he or she is seen again at Dr. Mansour's office.
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Headgear/Facemask
Headgear is often used to correct an excessive overbite. This is done by placing pressure against the upper teeth and jaw, which would hold the teeth in position or help move them into better positions. The severity of the problem determines the length of time headgear needs to be worn. The key to success with your headgear appliance is consistency. Headgear must be worn a certain number of hours per day, and if not, it must be made up the following day.
Headgear should never be worn while playing sports and should also be removed while eating or brushing your teeth.
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Nance Appliance
Depending on the needs of the patient, a Nance Appliance can be used to slightly expand or rotate the upper molars or hold the molars in place, following the movement of teeth. The appliance is commonly used to prevent upper molars from drifting forward. It is sometimes used as a fixed upper retainer.
This fixed appliance fits across the roof of the mouth. Bands are placed on the upper arch of the two back molars. A wire is used to connect the inside of the bands. A piece of acrylic, which fits against the roof of the mouth, sits in the center of the wire. The patient can choose the color of the acrylic.
A Nance Appliance can be placed in the mouth, generally three to four months following the movement of teeth.
While the appliance is fixed in the mouth, patients should brush their teeth as normal. However, the roof of the mouth should be brushed thoroughly. This will prevent the gums around the appliance from getting swollen or inflamed.
Patients should not drink carbonated beverages or eat hard foods, like popcorn, nuts, Doritos and nachos nor sticky foods like caramel, taffy and or gummy bears, while wearing the appliance. This will prevent damage to the appliance.
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Pendulum Appliance
A Pendulum Appliance is used to move the upper molars back when there are dental discrepancies. The fixed appliance also eliminates the need for patient compliance. Used to correct Class II malocclusions, the Pendulum Appliance yields results similar to that achieved by headgear but with enhanced patient comfort and improved treatment outcomes. The process generally takes around six months to complete.
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Elastics
Elastics are a vital part of treatment and are also contingent upon patient compliance. They add extra pressure to the braces to help move the teeth. Generally worn at all times (excluding eating and brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed at least once a day. They come in various sizes as they are each used for a specific purpose. We will provide you with the appropriate size.
It is important to wear them consistently or treatment setbacks may occur. If only one day is missed, it could cause your teeth to shift back to their original position!
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