Types of Appliances

Home » Other Treatments » Types of Appliances

Appliances For Braces

Our Brookings, Milbank, Aberdeen, and Watertown orthodontists use various appliances to help correct your teeth and give you a more comfortable bite. Appliances aid braces in leveling and aligning various bite types to achieve the best possible results.

Watch the videos below to learn more about the various appliances we use to give you a beautiful, confident smile!

Anterior Crossbite Appliance

Bite Turbo

Bite Turbos are temporary treatments to prevent upper and lower teeth from fully coming together.

Bite Turbo with Braces

Bonded RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander)

This fixed expander uses acrylic to bond the expander directly to the teeth.

Distal Jet Appliance

The Distal Jet Appliance is a non-removable appliance that is used to move upper teeth backward faster and more predictably than headgear.

Distal Jet Expander

Elastic Tooth Separator

Separators are small rubber rings that are placed between teeth to create space for molar bands.

Herbst Appliance Soft Tissue

The Herbst appliance corrects overbites and underdeveloped lower jaws. It also improves facial profiles by increasing lower jaw growth. The appliance is placed on the upper and lower teeth and stays there until the bite is corrected (10-12 months).

This appliance is the quickest and best appliance to correct certain bite problems including overbites and underdeveloped lower jaws. Fully contained within your mouth, it doesn’t show and works for you 24 hours a day.

Herbst with Expander

Turning Your Expander

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander widens the upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on the upper molars every time an adjustment or turn is made.

Herbst Appliance

The Herbst appliance is a functional appliance used to correct significant overbites by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward. It is a fixed appliance, meaning it is permanently attached to the teeth, and works continuously to guide jaw development. This appliance is particularly effective for growing patients who have a skeletal discrepancy in their jaw alignment.

This appliance consists of a telescopic mechanism that connects the upper and lower molars. As the patient moves their jaw, the Herbst appliance maintains a constant forward position for the lower jaw, stimulating growth and helping to balance the facial profile. It is often used in conjunction with braces to achieve optimal results.

Palatal Expanders

Palatal expanders are orthodontic devices designed to widen the upper jaw. This is typically necessary when the upper jaw is too narrow to fit the lower jaw properly, a condition known as a transverse discrepancy or crossbite. Expanding the palate creates more space for the teeth and can improve breathing and facial aesthetics.

There are two main types of palatal expanders: fixed and removable. The bonded RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander) is a fixed appliance that is cemented to the back teeth. A key is then turned periodically by the patient or their parents to activate the expander, gradually widening the mid-palatal suture. Removable expanders, like the Hawley appliance with an expansion screw, offer a more customized approach and can be taken out for cleaning.

Bite Turbos

Bite turbos, also known as bite ramps or bite plates, are small acrylic or composite additions bonded to the back surfaces of the front teeth or the chewing surfaces of the molars. Their primary function is to disclude (separate) the posterior teeth, preventing them from interfering with other orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners.

These small but crucial components are often used to overcome deep bite issues or to create space for necessary tooth movements. By preventing the upper teeth from hitting the lower braces, bite turbos allow for efficient alignment of the front teeth and can also help to deprogram the bite, facilitating better jaw positioning and function.

Distal Jet Appliance

The Distal Jet appliance is an innovative, non-compliance orthopedic device designed to move molars backward (distalize) without requiring patient cooperation. This is particularly useful for creating space in the dental arch, correcting molar relationships, and managing crowded teeth, especially in cases where extractions might otherwise be considered.

This appliance utilizes a system of springs and arms that apply a continuous, controlled force to the molars, gently pushing them back into their correct positions. The Distal Jet is a fixed appliance, meaning it is cemented to the teeth, ensuring consistent treatment progress regardless of patient compliance. It is an effective tool for achieving significant molar movement and improving the overall occlusion.

Types of Appliances

Appliances For Braces

Anterior Crossbite Appliance

Bite Turbo

Bite Turbo with Braces

Bonded RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander)

Distal Jet Appliance

Distal Jet Expander

Elastic Tooth Separator

Herbst Appliance Soft Tissue

Herbst with Expander

Palatal Expander

Come Visit Us

Related Pages:

Herbst Appliance

Palatal Expanders

Bite Turbos

Distal Jet Appliance

Monday	8:00am – 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:00am – 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:00am – 4:30pm
Thursday	8:00am – 4:30pm
Friday	8:00am – 12:00pm By appointment only