Orthodontics Beyond Braces — From Expanders to Spacers

When you think of orthodontic treatment, braces are likely the first thing that comes to mind. However, while this is one of the most commonly used tools to straighten crooked teeth and correct a misaligned jaw, there are other lesser-known appliances used to complement the work of braces. 

At Hanachi Orthodontics in Mooresville, North Carolina, Farid Hanachi, DDS, PA, leads our team in offering comprehensive orthodontic treatment to effectively address a wide variety of tooth and jaw misalignment issues.

In this month’s blog, we’re discussing the different offerings orthodontic treatment can include outside of braces. 

Palate expander

A palate expander is an orthodontic device that’s used to widen the upper jaw when it’s too narrow. It sits in your upper jaw on the roof of your mouth and slowly pushes the two sides of your jaw apart. 

Palate expanders are most often used for children, as their jawbones aren’t yet fully developed. If your child has a crossbite or their mouth isn’t large enough to fit all their molars coming in, a palate expander can address those issues. 

Sometimes children only need a palate expander to help their teeth and jaw fit well together, or it can prepare them for much more effective orthodontic treatment later on. 

Spacers

Before you can undergo treatment, such as braces, your teeth have to be ready. When you get braces, there are metal brackets that get attached to each tooth, and a wire runs through them to connect the hardware together. The wire is anchored to metal rings placed on your back molars.

However, oftentimes your back teeth are wedged tightly together, making it difficult to fit the metal rings. 

Orthodontic spacers are rubber or metal rings placed between your teeth to encourage them to separate. You’ll only need to wear these for about a week before you can get your braces.

Retainers

After you get your braces off, your teeth and jaw will want to go right back to where they were before you got all that hardware put on. So, you’ll need to wear a device called a retainer to “retain” your new smile as your teeth and jaw continue to adjust to their new positions. 

There are several different types of retainers, some fixed and some removable. The type you get depends on your personal preference. If you choose a removable retainer, you have to be diligent about wearing it consistently so you don’t lose the results you worked so hard to obtain. 

In order to achieve a straightened smile that looks beautiful and reduces your risk of oral health issues, there could be several steps in your treatment plan outside of the actual braces themselves. But the results are always well worth it. 

To learn more about any part of orthodontic treatment, reach out to our team by calling our office or using our online contact feature today.