Oral Appliances
We provide many other types of oral appliances aimed at preventing damages to the child’s dentition and/or oral hard and soft tissues. Please contact us for further information.
Thumb-sucking Appliance
A thumb sucking habit appliance is a dental device designed to help children break the habit of sucking thumb. It is custom-made to fit comfortably in the child’s mouth and prevent the thumb from being placed in the mouth1.
Uses:
Prevent Placement: The appliance is designed to make it uncomfortable or difficult for the child to place their thumb in their mouth.
Encourage Habit Break: By consistently wearing the appliance, the child is reminded not to suck their thumb, helping them gradually break the habit.
Custom Fit: The appliance is tailored to the child’s mouth, ensuring it is effective and comfortable.
Orthodontic Retainers
Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices that help maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatment, such as braces. They come in two main types:
Fixed Retainers: These are bonded to the back of the teeth using dental cement. They are not removable by the patient and provide continuous support to keep teeth in their new positions.
Removable Retainers: These can be taken out by the patient for eating, brushing, and flossing. They are typically made of clear plastic or a combination of plastic and metal.
Benefits:
Prevent Relapse: Retainers help prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
Maintain Alignment: They ensure the success of orthodontic treatment by maintaining the new alignment of teeth.
Comfort: Removable retainers are designed to be comfortable and easy to clean.
Arch Holding Appliances
Dental arch holding appliances are orthodontic devices used to maintain or create space in the dental arch, ensuring proper alignment and eruption of teeth. These appliances are typically used in children and include:
Lower Lingual Holding Arch (LLHA):
This fixed appliance is attached to the lower first molars and uses a stainless-steel wire to maintain space in the lower dental arch. It prevents lower molars from moving forward and blocking the eruption of permanent teeth.
Nance Arch:
The Nance Arch is used in the upper dental arch. It consists of stainless-steel bands attached to the upper first molars and a wire that connects them, preserving space in the upper jaw2.
These appliances are custom-made for each patient and are usually placed until all adult teeth have fully erupted. They help stabilize and support molars, ensuring proper dental development and alignment
Rapid Palatal Expanders
A rapid palatal expander (RPE) is an orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) in children and adolescents. It works by applying gentle, consistent pressure to separate the two halves of the upper jaw, which are joined by a suture that hasn’t fully fused yet.
Benefits:
- Corrects Crossbites: Widens the upper jaw to properly align the bite.
- Alleviates Crowding: Creates more space for teeth, reducing overcrowding.
- Improves Airway Function: Can help with breathing issues by expanding the airway.
- Enhances Facial Symmetry: Promotes balanced facial development.
- Non-Surgical: Offers a less invasive alternative to surgical procedures
