MARA | Thumb/Finger Appliance | Pendulum | Pendex | Powerscope | Facemask | RPE (Rapid Palatal Expander) | Schwartz | Lower Lingual Holding Arch / Band & Loop Space Maintainer
The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA) is suitable for treating class II malocclusions, which are characterized by protrusion of the upper front teeth and or retrusion of the lower jaw. This appliance is used to encourage forward growth of the lower jaw. Using the MARA, class II malocclusions are treated more effectively. The MARA is reliable and reduces treatment time.
Generally, the appliance is secured to the patient’s first molars via stainless steel crowns, which are easy to fit and retain more, compared to bands. The appliance features no removable parts, which means patient compliance is not an issue. Also, the orthodontist can more accurately predict the length of treatment.
The upper “elbows” can be removed; which facilitates comfort and advanced adjustments. The appliance can be advanced on one side or both sides.
Sore spots are minimal. Initially, it may feel strange to hold your jaw forward while eating, but within two weeks, chewing will become more natural. We recommend you eat soft foods initially. Do not chew on the elbows. Avoiding candy, hard foods, etc. throughout treatment will help prevent breakage of the appliance.
MARA is generally worn between 15 to 18 months. Your improvements will be noticed immediately!
Sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Children usually cease thumb sucking when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Typically, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb sucking behavior in your child, please talk to your dentist.
One solution to thumb sucking is an appliance called a "fixed palatal crib." This appliance is put on the child's upper teeth by an orthodontist. It’s placed behind on the upper teeth on the roof of the mouth. The crib consists of semicircular stainless steel wires that are fastened to molars using steel bands. The stainless steel wires fit behind the child's upper front teeth, and they are barely visible. The crib usually stops the habit of thumb sucking within the first day of use.
The Pendulum Appliance is used to correct class II malocclusions by moving back the upper molars. It allows the orthodontist to retract the upper front teeth in the proper position.
The Pendulum Appliance consists of a plastic “button” that touches the roof of the mouth and resilient wire springs that act in a broad swinging arc to move the molars back. The appliance uses the roof of the mouth as an anchor to move the molars back into their correct positions. Patients usually wear this appliance for 3 to 5 months.
The Pendex Appliance is a Pendulum Appliance that uses an expansion screw to widen the upper palate and pushes the upper teeth back correcting class II malocclusions and the patient’s bite.
The Pendex Appliance consists of a plastic “button” that touches the roof of the mouth and resilient wire springs that act in a broad swinging arch to move the molars back. Within this button, there is a keyhole where you are to place the key and turn it according to your orthodontist’s instructions. This turning will widen the appliance, thus widening your upper palate. Patients usually wear this appliance for 3 to 6 months.
A fixed stainless steel orthodontic appliance that attaches directly to archwires for the purpose of correcting overjet.
Often referred to as reverse-pull headgear, the protraction face mask is a removable appliance for patients where the upper jaw is not growing fast enough, resulting in a crossbite or underbite. The device consists of a metal bar attached to pads on the forehead and chin with rubber bands hooked to the face mask and the upper braces to gradually move the upper jaw forward. Patient compliance is extremely important as the face mask must be worn a set number of hours per day or more to obtain the desired results. The face mask device is generally worn for 3-6 months.
Attached to the upper molars through bonding or by cemented bands, the Rapid Palatal Expander is an orthodontic device used to create a wider space in the upper jaw. It is typically used when the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw or when the upper teeth are crowded or blocked out of the dental arch.
When patients are still growing, their connective tissue between the left and right halves of their upper jaw is very responsive to expansion. By simply activating the expander through turning a screw in the center, with a special key we provide, gradual outward pressure is placed on the left and right halves of the upper jaw. This pressure causes an increased amount of bone to grow between the right and left halves of the jaw, ultimately resulting in an increased width.
The purpose of this expander is to stimulate the lower teeth and jaw to grow wider. This creates more room for the permanent teeth and shapes the dental arch to more closely match the patients facial form.
This appliance is a space maintainer for the lower arch to allow room for permanent teeth.
