Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces used today. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. Metal braces are more comfortable now than ever.
For a more unique smile you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) that you can change every time you visit Dr. Brady.
Porcelain/Clear Braces
If you are concerned about the appearance of your smile, porcelain or clear braces may be right for you.
Porcelain braces utilize brackets that are less noticeable against your teeth. Porcelain brackets are translucent, so they blend in with your natural tooth color. This means that unlike traditional metal braces, porcelain braces won’t make your smile look "metallic." In addition, porcelain braces are designed so that they won’t stain or discolor over long periods of time. Dr. Brady will let you know if you are a candidate for ceramic braces.
The Frankel Appliance
The Frankel is a special type of retainer known as a "functional appliance." This appliance is usually used with younger children. It has great potential, but will succeed only if it is faithfully worn according to Dr. Brady’s directions.
The Frankel Appliance may be recommended if any or all of the following conditions are present:
- The upper teeth protrude.
- The upper teeth "overlap" the lower teeth too much and the lower teeth are touching the roof of the mouth.
- The arch of teeth is too narrow and the teeth are crowded.
- The facial profile shows that the lower jaw is "recessive" or too far back in relationship to the upper jaw..
The Palatal Expander
The Palatal Expander is an appliance which is used to widen the upper arch of teeth. This is accomplished by causing increased growth of the upper jaw to a more normal width.
An expander is usually recommended if the following conditions are present:
- The upper arch of teeth is narrow and there is crowding or insufficient space for the permanent teeth.
- A crossbite exists: the upper teeth are fitting inside the lower teeth.
The Molar Mover
The concept and function of the Molar Mover is simplistic beauty and allows adjustment by the patient or patient's guardian, making it a very efficient choice of creating force.
This appliance provides effective molar movement to gain space for the permanent teeth. The Molar Mover extends through tubes to guide the first molars during movement. Activation takes place by Dr. Brady compressing the coil springs against the molar tubes.
This Molar Mover is low profile and extremely comfortable compared to other appliances available.
The Schwartz Appliance
The Schwartz is a special type of retainer which is used to widen the lower arch of teeth. It is a removable appliance and is used with younger children to take advantage of their active growing stages.
The Schwartz is usually recommended if the following conditions are present:
- The lower arch of teeth is narrow.
- There is crowding or insufficient space for the permanent teeth.
The Space Maintainer
The Space Maintainer is a special appliance recommended to preserve the space when primary (baby) teeth have been extracted or lost prematurely. This appliance prevents the permanent teeth, which are present, from drifting into the space “reserved” for the unerupted teeth.
The appliance is made according to Dr. Brady's prescription using braces, which are carefully fitted on the back teeth, and special wire and acrylic contoured to the exact shape of the patient's dental form. It is cemented to the teeth and stays in place until the remaining permanent teeth erupt.
M.A.R.A.
When the patient is still growing, it is possible to direct the growth of the lower jaw to catch up with the upper part of the face by using the MARA.
The MARA is a functional appliance because it postures the patient’s lower jaw in a forward direction. Over a period of months this forward posture of the lower jaw usually promotes growth in the same direction.