Orthodontic Appliances in Northbrook, IL
Orthodontic appliances are the devices that work alongside braces or aligners to move teeth and guide jaw growth. Some prepare the mouth before the main treatment, some do the corrective work themselves, and some hold the result afterwards. At Janzen & Chwa Orthodontics, the appliance you are given is chosen for the specific problem being solved, and we explain the reason before anything is fitted.
Patients rarely ask what an appliance is called. They ask why they need it, how long they will have it, and whether it will hurt. So this page is organized by job rather than alphabetically.
Appliances That Prepare the Mouth
Separators (spacers). Small rubber rings placed between the back teeth to open a little space so that bands can be fitted at the next visit. They are in for a few days and they feel like food stuck between your teeth. Do not floss them out, and stay away from sticky foods while they are in.
Palatal expander. A fixed device across the roof of the mouth that widens the upper jaw gradually, using small adjustments over several weeks. It works best in children whose palate has not yet fused, which is one of the main reasons early evaluation matters. Once the target width is reached, the expander stays in place for several months to let the new bone stabilize.
Appliances That Do the Corrective Work
Elastics (rubber bands). Small elastics hooked between the upper and lower braces to correct how the two arches meet. They only work while they are on, so wear time is everything.
Herbst® appliance. A fixed appliance that holds the lower jaw forward while pushing the upper molars back, used to reduce a significant overbite. It works while a child is still growing and is typically worn for twelve to fifteen months.
Twin Block appliance. Two removable pieces that fit together to reposition the lower jaw. It is comfortable, easy to clean, and effective for the same class of overbite problem as the Herbst, with the trade-off that it can be taken out and therefore depends on the patient wearing it.
MARA appliance. The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance, a fixed device anchored to the molars that encourages lower jaw growth in more pronounced overbite cases. In many patients it reduces the need for extractions or for surgery.
Forsus™ appliance. A spring device that corrects an overbite by guiding jaw growth in adolescents. It is fixed in place, so nothing depends on remembering to wear it, which is why it is often chosen instead of headgear.
Headgear. Still the right answer for certain significant bite discrepancies, applying steady pressure to guide jaw growth. It is worn at home and overnight rather than at school.
Temporary anchorage devices. Small titanium anchors that give us fixed points to push against. Our TADs page explains what they make possible.
Appliances That Hold the Result
Positioners. Used at the very end of treatment to fine-tune the final tooth positions. With good cooperation, a positioner is usually worn for only a few weeks.
Retainers. Removable or fixed, and not optional. Every patient finishes treatment in a retainer, because teeth drift for the rest of your life and retention is what protects everything the treatment achieved. Our orthodontic retainers page covers the types, the wear schedule and how to look after them.
How We Choose an Appliance
The appliance follows the diagnosis, not the other way round. At your exam we assess the bite, the jaw relationship and, for children, how much growth is still available. Two patients with what looks like the same problem can need different appliances depending on age and on where the problem actually sits.
Whatever we recommend, we will tell you what it does, how long it stays in, what it will feel like for the first week, and what it needs from you. Appliances that depend on cooperation are flagged as such at the start rather than discovered later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Appliances
What is the difference between a fixed and a removable appliance?
A fixed appliance is bonded or cemented in place and works continuously without any effort from the patient. A removable one comes out for eating and cleaning, which is more comfortable but means it only works when it is actually being worn.
Will an appliance affect my child’s speech?
Usually for a few days to a couple of weeks, particularly with palatal expanders and Twin Blocks. Speech normalizes as the tongue adapts. Reading aloud at home for a few minutes a day speeds it up noticeably.
How long is a palatal expander worn?
The active widening usually takes a few weeks of small adjustments. After that the expander stays in place for several months while new bone fills in and stabilizes the width. Removing it too early undoes the work.
Can an appliance avoid the need for extractions or surgery?
Sometimes, and that is exactly why timing matters. Expanders and growth-guiding appliances used while a child is still growing can create space or correct a jaw relationship that would otherwise need teeth removed later, or surgery once growth is finished.
Ask Us Which Appliance Your Case Needs
The only way to know is an exam. The first consultation is complimentary and no referral is needed. Call or text (847) 272-0600 or request an appointment online.