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 To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), headgear or other appliances as prescribed.
The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment. There are many more appliances that our office utilizes, and we would discuss those with you as needed.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" (widens) your upper 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. If you ever miss an expander appointment, please stop turning and call our office immediately to reschedule.
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.
Please take care of your retainers! Dogs love to eat them, and they don't get along well with hot water, a lunch tray, or sitting in a hot car. There is a charge to replace retainers, so please take good care of them!
Headgear 
Headgear is often a dreaded word for young patients, but rest-assured that having braces does not automatically mean that you are prescribed headgear. Headgear is used to treat some patients whose teeth are in an "overbite," (with the uppers forward of the lowers) or an "underbite" (with the lowers forward of the uppers). Headgear gently pulls on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw. We understand that it can be difficult for young patients to wear headgear, and we won't ask you to wear it in social situations; usually night and home wear is prescribed.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.
Separators (or Spacers)
Separators are like little rubberbands that may be placed between your molars to push them apart so that metal 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 or with toothpicks and floss, and it takes 1 to 2 weeks for them to push the teeth apart enough to place the metal bands.
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