Forsus Appliance
The Forsus appliance is used in order to help move the upper molars back while moving the lower arch forward. Composed of a spring coil rod, the appliance is used while a patient is currently wearing braces. It runs from the upper first molar band down to the lower archwire.
You may notice some discomfort initially, so we recommend a soft food diet for the first few days after the appliance is placed. Regular anti-inflammatory medication may help with any pain, if needed. It is important to keep the appliance clean; you may do this by carefully brushing the coil and other metal pieces of the appliance. Also, we recommend that patients not open their mouths very wide, as the appliance may come apart.
If your Forsus appliance breaks, please contact our office immediately to schedule a repair appointment.
Xbow
One of the most common problems orthodontics treat is the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Ordinarily, when we see a patient with the upper teeth protruding, we tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward; but, more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. With these patients, we would like to encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth, and braces like the Xbow™, or Crossbow, appliance help this happen.
The Xbow™ is used to treat Class II malocclusions in children and teens. Even though the Xbow™ appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movement still occur easily, and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.
At first, your mouth will feel unusually full and speaking will be awkward. But if you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decrease as you become accustomed to the appliance.
In-Ovation L
In-Ovation L is a self-ligating bracket that is bonded to the back of the teeth creating a more aesthetically pleasing effect, allowing you to retain your normal appearance for the duration of your treatment. The self-ligating technology also provides for fewer office visits and a faster overall treatment. In-Ovation L brackets are ideal for correcting minor alignment problems.
Thumb Crib
To deter the habit of thumb sucking, we offer a simple device called a thumb crib. The thumb crib is made up of semicircular stainless steel wires that fit directly behind the front teeth. They are fastened to the molars to secure the appliance in place. Often times, thumb cribs can stop thumb sucking habits within the first couple of months.
Patients may experience minor discomfort and modified speech for a couple of days. Also, sleep may be disturbed for the first couple of nights.