Types of Appliances

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed, and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they're worn as prescribed.

Forsus™

The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is a fixed appliance to correct excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly avoid the need for jaw surgery.

MARA™ Class II Corrector

The MARA (Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance) is a Class II corrector. Dr. Van Allen attaches it to your first molars with heavy-duty bands. In contrast to removable repositioning appliance, this “non-compliance” approach to Class II correction results in greater reliability of tooth movement and reduced treatment time.

What is Class II correction?

A Class II malocclusion is commonly known as an overjet. It occurs when your lower teeth and jaw grow at a slower pace than the upper teeth and jaw. This results in the lower teeth and jaw being slightly behind where it should be for an ideal bite.

How MARA Improves Treatment

Treating a Class II malocclusion with MARA is easy and comfortable. The appliance encourages the growth of the lower jaw by placing gentle pressure on the teeth. You will generally adapt to the MARA in a few days and sore spots are minimal. The smaller size of the appliance also increases comfort and provides better aesthetics than other Class II appliances.

Carriere Distalizer Appliance

Creating a Corrected Bite Without Headgear

The Carriere Distalizer is an orthodontic device developed to correct a bite without removing permanent teeth when teeth have erupted incorrectly. With an effect similar to headgear, but without the use of a bulky appliance, the Carriere Distalizer pushes upper teeth back to create a corrected bite prior to the addition of braces. How does the Carriere Distalizer work?

• First, your orthodontist will create an anchor point, most commonly with a lower Essex Appliance, a passive lingual arch, full mandibular fixed appliance, or mini-screws. A Carriere Distalizer arm is then attached to the upper teeth on both sides of your mouth.
• An elastic band is attached from the upper bar to the lower back molars and should be worn at all times except when eating.
• With good elastic wear, your bite can be corrected in a matter of months, depending on the severity of your case.
• When the Carriere Distalizer arms are removed, we will place upper braces to finish correcting your bite and aligning your teeth to the perfectly straight, ideal smile you've always wanted.

The Carriere® Motion™ Class III Appliance

The Motion Class III Appliance is a minimally invasive appliance that Dr. Van Allen may use to treat Class III malocclusions. Ideally, this is done to eliminate extractions, painful orthognathic surgery, or traditionally uncomfortable and obtrusive facemasks. The Motion Class III Appliance features a custom fit and gentle repositioning of the molar with no complicated springs, push rods, bands, or crowns. It provides predictable results and creates a harmonious, balanced profile, all while preserving your natural features.

The Carriere Motion Class III Appliance is used at the beginning of treatment, before Dr. Van Allen places your braces or aligners. It helps reduce overall treatment time by several months, allowing you to spend less time in braces!

Expanders

The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your  jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.

Separators or Spacers

Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.

If a separator comes out in between your appointments, please call our office to see if you should come in to have it replaced. Otherwise, if you are unable to come to the office, you can click on the link below for instructions on how to replace the separators: https://youtu.be/6ixDYdcccEI

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite, with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw, or an underbite with the lower jaw forward of the upper jaw. Headgear gently "pulls" on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.