Headgear- Is a removable appliance that the patient has the freedom to take on and off, and it is only worn in the evening hours when the patient is at home. It is commonly used to treat patients who have either an overbite (top teeth ahead of the bottom) or underbite (bottom teeth ahead of the top). Over time, it gently pulls the teeth and jaw in the appropriate direction, and if worn well, it can give great results.

Palatal Expander- An expander is a fixed appliance meaning that the orthodontist inserts it and is also the one who removes it. It is attached to the upper molars and is used to widen the upper jaw by putting gradual pressure on the molars each time the expander is turned. If you are treated with an expander, Dr. Todd will give you instructions on how to turn the expander and how often it should be turned. Although the expander may only be turned for a few weeks until the desired expansion is achieved, it is typically kept in an additional 4-6 months so that the correction does not relapse.

Herbst- Like the expander, the Herbst is also a fixed appliance and is usually removed 9-12 months after it was put in. It attaches to the permanent molars and can reduce a patient’s overbite by gradually advancing the lower jaw forward over the duration that it is in. The Herbst can sometimes be used as an alternative to headgear.

Retainers- Like the appliances discussed above, retainers can also be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their correct position after they have been straightened. If you happen to have a removable retainer, it is very important to wear it as instructed and take good care of it. For the first 4-6 months after the braces have been removed, the retainer is typically worn all the time. As time goes by, it is usually something that only has to be worn at night while you are sleeping.