Elastics | Advance Sync (M2M) |Retainers | Separators | Nance
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
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 and align the bite. Generally worn at all times (excluding eating and brushing your teeth), elastics should be changed at least three times 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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Advance Sync Molar-to-Molar (M2M)
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 M2M appliance help this happen.
Even though the M2M 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.
As with all kinds of braces, patients with M2M appliances need to be careful about what they eat. Sticky foods such as caramels, bubble gum and candy suckers will pull the brace away from the teeth. Hard foods like crisp vegetables and hard candies will bend and loosen the M2M appliance, too. So stay away from these foods during your orthodontic treatment.
Your M2M appliance will be checked and adjusted at your appointments. If, sometimes between appointments, you develop some sore areas on the inside of your cheeks, please do not try to adjust the appliance yourself. Call for an appointment so that the necessary adjustments can be made.
Wearing an M2M Appliance
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.
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Retainers
After braces are removed, the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in the corrected, ideal position. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that treatment results last a lifetime.
Dr. Shaver monitors patients wearing retainers for approximately one year. During that time, she will advise the patient regarding full-time or part-time wear, monitor stability of the teeth, as well as monitor growth and development of the wisdom teeth (if needed).
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Separators (Spacers)
Separators or spacers are small elastics that fit snugly between certain teeth to move them slightly so bands can be placed around them later. Spacers can fall out on their own if enough space has already been created. To determine if it needs to be replaced, slip some dental floss between the teeth; if it gets stuck, that means the spacer hasn’t created enough room and needs to be replaced prior to your banding appointment.
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Lower Lingual Holding Arch (LLHA) / Nance Appliance (Space Maintainer)
A space maintainer is worn when baby teeth are removed prematurely, while waiting for bicuspids to grow into place. The Nance appliance is made of two bands that are cemented onto the first molars and a wire spans the roof of the mouth from one molar to the other. An acrylic pad or “button” covers the wire that touches the roof of your mouth directly behind your front teeth.
A lower lingual holding arch is made of two bands cemented to the lower first molars and a wire that spans in a ‘U’ shape toward the front teeth.
Patients should always brush around the bands daily. Do not eat sticky, chewy candy as it can loosen your appliance. If you have any problems with your Nance or LLHA Appliance, please call our office immediately.
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