Orthodontic Appliances
The Tools That Help Build Beautiful Smiles
At Orthodontic Associates, every smile we design relies on advanced tools and techniques to guide teeth and jaws into healthy alignment. Orthodontic appliances are custom-made for comfort, precision, and long-term success.
The Orthodontic Appliances We Use
From gentle expanders to durable retainers, orthodontic appliances help us create healthy, confident smiles for every patient. Some are used during active treatment to guide movement, while others maintain your results once treatment is complete.
Rapid Palatal Expanders
The Rapid Palatal Expander gently widens the upper jaw to correct crossbites and make room for crowded teeth. This fixed appliance applies light, consistent pressure to encourage healthy bone growth and improve the way the upper and lower arches fit together.
Because it expands the palate gradually, the RPE helps balance the bite and create space for teeth to align naturally. It’s most effective in children and teens whose jaws are still developing, making it a powerful early step toward long-term alignment and facial symmetry.
Reverse Pull Headgear
The Reverse Pull Headgear helps guide the upper jaw forward to correct underbites and improve facial harmony. It applies gentle forward pressure to encourage growth where it’s needed most, making it an ideal treatment for younger patients with developing bones.
This appliance works in combination with other orthodontic tools—such as an expander—to correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. The result is a more balanced bite and a healthier, more natural facial profile over time.
Hawley Retainer
A classic in orthodontic care, the Hawley retainer is a removable appliance made with an acrylic base and a thin metal wire that wraps around the front teeth. It’s designed to hold your smile in place after braces or aligner treatment.
The Hawley’s sturdy design makes it long-lasting and adjustable, allowing your orthodontist to make small changes over time if needed. With proper care, a Hawley retainer can last for years, providing dependable support for your new, perfectly aligned smile.
Clear, Comfortable, and Nearly Invisible
The Essix retainer is a smooth, clear appliance that fits snugly over your teeth, keeping them aligned while maintaining a discreet look. Made from durable plastic, it’s easy to wear, easy to clean, and almost invisible when in place.
Essix retainers are especially popular among adults and teens who want a subtle, modern approach to retention. They’re comfortable to wear day or night and are custom-shaped for a perfect fit, ensuring your smile stays exactly how you want it.
Molar Distalizing Appliance (MDA)
The Molar Distalizing Appliance helps move the upper molars backward to create space for crowded teeth or to correct bite discrepancies. This fixed device applies steady, gentle pressure that gradually repositions molars for a more balanced bite.
By creating proper spacing early in treatment, the MDA lays the groundwork for easier tooth movement later on. It’s often used before braces or aligners to help your orthodontist achieve an efficient, comfortable, and predictable result.
Maintaining Space & Stability in the Upper Arch
The Nance appliance includes a small acrylic pad that rests comfortably on the roof of the mouth and attaches to the upper molars. Its purpose is to prevent those molars from drifting forward, preserving space for other teeth to move into their ideal positions.
It’s especially useful in growing patients to maintain proper spacing and arch form during treatment. By holding teeth steady as new ones emerge, the Nance appliance supports smoother, more controlled orthodontic progress.
Lower Lingual Holding Arch (LLHA)
The Lower Lingual Holding Arch, or LLHA, is a fixed wire that runs behind the lower teeth to maintain space and prevent crowding. It acts as a stabilizer for developing smiles, keeping the lower molars in their proper positions as permanent teeth erupt.
This appliance is especially valuable in younger patients, as it protects arch length and reduces the likelihood of crowding later on. The LLHA’s subtle design allows it to do important work while remaining barely noticeable day to day.
Carriere Motion Appliance
The Carriere Motion Appliance is a sleek, low-profile device used to correct overbites or underbites before braces or clear aligners are placed. By aligning the bite first, it reduces overall treatment time and helps ensure that future tooth movement is more efficient.
Light and comfortable, the Carriere appliance helps set the foundation for a balanced, symmetrical smile. It’s a favorite among patients who appreciate its discreet look and ability to deliver noticeable results early in treatment.
High Pull Headgear
High Pull Headgear is a removable appliance that applies gentle upward and backward pressure on the upper teeth and jaw. It’s typically used in younger patients to help guide facial growth, control tooth eruption, and improve the overall bite relationship.
When worn as directed, this appliance encourages balanced development and can reduce the need for more complex treatment later. The lightweight, adjustable design allows for comfortable wear and reliable long-term results.
BioBite Appliance
The BioBite appliance is a fixed device used for significant overbite (Class II) corrections. It replaces the need for rubber bands by providing constant, controlled force that encourages proper jaw alignment and reduces treatment time.
Because it doesn’t rely on patient compliance, BioBite appliances are highly efficient and deliver consistent, predictable results. They’re an excellent choice for patients who want reliable correction with minimal effort.
