Expansion Appliances
A narrow jaw can lead to crowding, poor function, an improper bite, Temporo-mandibular Joint problems (TMJ) and poor aesthetics. With proper guidance, the width of jaws can be encouraged to grow more than ‘mother nature’ would have them grow on their own. This allows teeth to develop into an environment that has more space. This extra space results in a better bite and less crowding, thereby decreasing the need to extract permanent teeth or seek surgical assistance.
These appliances are attached to permanent teeth; this means that they are always worn, and therefore, can never be lost.
Pendulum
With the Pendulum appliance, Dr. Martinez is able to almost completely eliminate the use of headgear. Since most patients don’t like to wear headgear, Dr. Martinez uses another way to ‘push back’ upper teeth. As an added benefit, the Pendulum appliance rests against the roof of the mouth. Therefore, it is difficult to tell that our patients are even wearing an appliance.
This appliance is attached to the upper teeth; this means that it is always worn and therefore, can never be lost.
Lip Bumper
A lip bumper relieves lower crowding by allowing the lower teeth to develop into a broader environment. By allowing the permanent teeth to develop into a broader environment, the odds of removing permanent teeth decrease dramatically.
Herbst
A Herbst appliance is used in situations when the growth of the lower jaw is not keeping up with the growth of the upper jaw. Reasons for this can be both genetic and developmental. The Herbst appliance must be placed at a certain time of the patient’s growth curve in order to maximize its effectiveness. The Herbst appliance is an ideal method for bringing the lower jaw forward without the need for surgery. In addition to correcting a poorly positioned lower jaw, the Herbst appliance will also alter a patient’s profile resulting in a stronger chin.
Space Maintainer
These appliances are designed to hold and preserve valuable space. These are used when baby teeth are lost early, or crowding is such that it is necessary to save all available space for the permanent teeth.
These appliances are attached to permanent teeth; this means that they are always worn and therefore, can never be lost.
Biteplane
There are situations where the vertical overlap of teeth is so great that the edges of the lower front teeth bite into the tissue behind the upper front teeth. This can result in pain in the roof of the mouth. This deep bite will also hinder lower jaw development by restricting the forward growth and position of the lower jaw. If left untreated, the lower jaw and teeth are ‘trapped’ by the back of the upper front teeth, causing an increase in crowding and hindering bite correction.
This appliance is attached to the upper teeth; this means that it is always worn and therefore, can never be lost.
Retainers
With our own “in house” laboratory, we are able to quickly fabricate many different types and styles of retainers for our patients.
