Functional Orthodontic Appliances

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The Tandem Appliance

The Tandem Appliance is an orthopedic corrector designed for growing Class III patients.  This design is more comfortable to your patient than more traditional devices as it is worn intraorally.  The rate of compliance with this fixed appliance is better than with the face mask type of Class III correctors.

In addition, the traditional face mask type Class III corrector protrudes the maxilla with extra oral anchorage and as a result, produces minimal dentalveolar changes  whereas the Tandem appliance is an intraoral tooth born appliance that provides both skeletal and dentoalveolar movement.

The Tandem Appliance consists of 3 separate parts; an upper appliance such as an RPE, a TPA or a Nance Button and a lower lingual holding arch and the traction bow.  The Tandem appliance may be made with a removable lower upon request and may include expansion.

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Higgins X-Bow Appliance

The Higgins X-Bow appliance is an alternative to the Herbst type Class II corrector in children and teens.  This phase I appliance allows you to make anterior / posterior and transverse corrections at the same time.  The X-Bow Appliance pits the entire lower arch against the maxillary bicuspids and molars opening space for erupting cuspids.

When used with the Forsus™ fatigue resistant device from 3m Unitek, the X-Bow allows over correction of the molars to a Class III relationship.

X-Bow is protected by U.S. Patent #6,168,430 Bi,X-Bow, Triple “L” Arch, and “Straight to the target when straight is the target” are registered trademarks of Duncan W. Higgins.  Forsus is a trademark of 3m Company.  Herbst is a trademark of Dentarum, Inc.

The Clark Twin Block

FA01

The Twin Block was developed by Dr. William Clark during the early 1980s. The appliances are separated upper and lower appliances consisting of two bite blocks. The blocks are designed to interlock at 70 degrees such that the mandible is held in a protrusive position. Which in time eliminates the over jet. When acrylic is removed from the upper blocks, eruption of the lower first molars occurs eliminating deep bite and overbite.

The McNamara Modification

This modification has two expansion screws for transverse development. The lower acrylic is extended distally, and a labial bow with the acrylic is added. This makes the appliance more retentive.

Fabrication Requirements

Upper and lower models and a wax bite advanced 5-7 mm, with a vertical opening of 5 mm in the deciduous molar/bicuspid area.

Bionator I (to open bite)

FA03

The Bionator I is designed to correct Class II malocclusions by maintaining the mandible in an advanced position and guiding the erupting of the posterior teeth. The mandibular anteriors are covered with an acrylic cap which comes in contact with the maxillary anteriors. The midline expansion screw can be used for arch development when it is indicated.

The Bionator II (to close bite)

FA06

The Bionator II is designed to correct anterior Open bites in Class I and Class II malocclusions. The posterior teeth are covered with acrylic to prevent their eruption. The acrylic is kept away form the incisors to allow closure of the open bite. The midline expansion screw can be used for arch development when it is indicated.

Bionator Fabrication Requirements:

1. Upper and lower models with a wax bite registration.

2. Bite should be an edge-to-edge incisal relationship with a 2-3 mm anterior vertical opening.

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The Orthopedic Corrector I

FA07

The Orthopedic Corrector I is designed to correct Class II malocclusions by maintaining the mandible in an advanced position and guiding the eruption of the posterior teeth. The mandibular anteriors are covered with an acrylic cap which comes in contact with the maxillary anteriors. The midline expansion screw can be used for arch development when it is indicated. The mandible can be subsequently advanced by the side screws with minor adjustments made to the acrylic by the clinician.

The Orthopedic Corrector II (to close bite)

FA08

The Orthopedic Corrector II is designed to correct anterior open bites in Class I and Class II malocclusions. The posterior teeth are covered with acrylic to prevent their eruption. The acrylic is kept away from the incisors to allow closure of the open bite. The midline expansion screw can be used for arch development when it is indicated. The mandible can be subsequently advanced by the side screws with minor adjustments made to the acrylic by the clinician.

Orthopedic Corrector Fabrication Requirements

1. Upper and Lower models with a wax bite registration.

2. Bite should be an edge-to-edge incised relationship with a 2-3 mm anterior vertical opening.

LSU Activator

FA13

The LSU Activator is designed to open a closed bite in Class II malocclusions by maintaining the mandible in an advanced position and allowing the eruption of the posterior teeth. The mandibular anteriors are covered with an acrylic cap which comes in contact with the maxillary anteriors.

The main characteristics are that the mandibular working cast is waxed out, so that the appliance body contacts only the lingual tissue, like a Frankel lingual shield; the appliance body is reduced to a minimum, because a functional appliance should impede function as little as possible; and the headgear,mostly an anterior high-pull, is attached to hooks inserted between the canines and the lateral incisors to control vertical facial growth.

Fabrication Requirements:

1. Upper and lower models with a wax bite registration.

2. Bite should be an edge-to-edge incisal relationship with a 2-3 mm anterior vertical opening.

Orthodontic Appliances

Appliance Options

Mouthpieces