Functional Appliances & Expansion

Plates and expanders can be very useful in the correction of some early orthodontic problems an Orthodontist can help to resolve…

Functional Appliances

Functional appliances are orthodontic devices which utilise growth to help move teeth into a better biting relationship. There are numerous appliances available, and at Simply Orthodontics we use functional appliances to help improve bites for suitable young patients. For most patients it involves posturing the lower jaw forward to reduce an overbite or overjet, however, sometimes treatment involves gently pulling the upper jaw forward to correct an under-bite. These devices are easy worn and patients tend to adapt quickly to wearing them. These devices are usually suitable for patients aged between 8 to 12 years old.

Expansion

Sometimes an undesirable bite is caused from the upper and lower jaws not fitting together properly. Often in such patients expanding the upper jaw is required. There are numerous devices used to expand the upper jaw, and depending on the age of the patient and the amount of expansion needed, we will select the device which is most beneficial and suitable. Expanders can be either fixed in the mouth or removable and both are relatively comfortable and easy to get used to. Expansion of the upper jaw is a painless exercise and may be used before or during treatment with orthodontic braces.