FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES

Most children with crowded teeth and bad bites have narrow jaws and underdeveloped lower jaws, which could be corrected with functional appliances. Functional appliances help correct the bone problems, while the tooth problems are corrected with the orthodontic braces.

The ideal age for the use of functional appliances is between ages seven and eleven, when the cooperation level is the highest. However, functional appliances can be utilized as early as age 4, if the upper jaw is too narrow and is having a negative effect on the child's breathing and speech. Arch Development (functional appliances) can also be used in adults to develop the arch to a more normal shape and size before applying the braces.

The use of functional appliances can reduce the time the child must wear fixed braces and also can reduce the need for the extraction of permanent teeth. Functional appliances develop the dental arches so that all the permanent teeth can erupt, which ensures an outstanding profile, broad smile and healthy jaw joints.

NEW!

Orthopedic/Orthodontic Appliances usher in a new treatment era in dentistry.

ALF (Alternative Lightwire Functional) does more than just straighten TEETH.

See more ablout ALF: click here

farid@drfarid.com

 613-216-2016

Tandem™

The new "Tandem™" appliance is ideal for Class III skeletal patients in mixed dentition who have retrognathic maxillas and normal mandibles. The upper part is fixed and consists of a Maxillary Banded Hyrax Appliance with two hooks for Class III elastics mesial to the first primary molars. The lower portion is similar to a removable splint with a lower bow which inserts into a Buccal tube in the acrylic in the area of the first permanent molars. The lower bow has hooks for the Class II elastics. Correction of a Class II malocclusion in mixed dentition can minimize the possibility of orthognathic surgery.

 

FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES

MARA™

The new "MARA™" (Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance) is ideal for non-compliant patients with Class II skeletal malocclusions and deficient mandibles. It is well tolerated by the patient since the attachments are soldered to stainless steel crowns on the first molars. It is a fixed-functional appliance that is worn 24 hours per day which virtually guarantees success. The MARA™ appliance is the appliance of choice for patients over age 11. Since 70% of all malocclusions are Class II and the vast majority have deficient mandibles, this is the ideal fixed appliance for the treatment of Class II skeletal malocclusions.

Series 2000® Series 2000® appliances are extremely efficient at distalizing molars, developing arches transversely, or advancing anterior teeth. No patient cooperation is required since these appliances are activated with self-adjusting nickel titanium coil springs which apply light, continuous forces to the teeth and arches. Series 2000® appliances can be used on either the upper or lower arches in either the mixed pr permanent dentition. These appliances are truly some of the best fixed-functional appliances utilized today.

Twin Block™

This functional appliance consists of two bite blocks, upper and lower, which interlock at 70°. Twin Blocks™ are designed so the mandible is recessive. This is a comfortable appliance to wear as patients rarely have problems speaking or eating with the appliance. It can be used in combination with vertical elastics to correct deep overbite.


The activation of the midline screws assist with the transverse development. Since 80% of Class II malocclusions have deficient mandibles, the Twin Block™ is a must for the treatment of the majority of Class II cases for patients under age 11 who are good cooperators.

Rick-A-Nator™

This popular fixed-functional appliance consists of an incisal ramp located lingual to the maxillary anteriors, connected to the maxillary first molar bands via two .045 connector wires. Patient compliance is excellent and this appliance is ideal for mandibular advancement when overjet is less than 4mm. Deep overbite correction is made easier with the Rick-A-Nator™ and vertical elastics. It dramatically improves the patient's profile and health of the TMJ. When worn in combination with a straightwire appliance, treatment time is drastically shortened.

ALF: Alternative Lightwire Functional

Orthopedic/Orthodontic Appliances usher in a new treatment era in dentistry.

ALF does more than just straighten TEETH.

A new treatment concept for the correction of:

• TMJ pain
• Misaligned teeth and jaws
• Chronic headaches and facial pain
• Neck and low back pain
  
  MORE: please visit our ALF information section under “A New Era in Dentistry” ...