Tongue Thrusting Appliance | Thumb/Finger Appliance | Pendex Appliance
| Headgear/Facemask | Pendulum Appliance | Nance Appliance
Tongue Thrusting Appliance
A tongue appliance is used as an aid in correcting an abnormal swallow pattern. Instead of placement of the tongue to the back of the mouth during a normal swallow, the patient pushes the tongue forward between the upper and lower teeth during a swallow. This can have long term effects of creating separation between the upper and lower teeth upon biting of the teeth in the back. The tongue appliance is fixed in the roof of the mouth from molar bands that extend forward to a small metal basket that rests behind the upper front teeth. The basket is used to stop the tongue from coming forward during the swallow.
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Thumb/Finger Appliance
A thumb crib is used to assist the patient in stopping an unwanted digit habit. It is fixed in the roof of the mouth by molar bands connected to a small cage that sits behind the upper front teeth. It works to serve as a reminder to the patient that when the digit is placed in the mouth to remove it.
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Pendex Appliance
The Pendex appliance is used to correct the side bite of teeth. This appliance is often used when functional appliances or headgear cannot deliver optimal results. The Pendex appliance has a large acrylic pad that touches the roof of the mouth and very flexible springs that serve as a wide swinging arc to move the molars. In addition, an expansion screw is built-in into the appliance to widen the upper jaw. The Pendex appliance is normally used for three to six months to achieve the desired results.
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Headgear/Facemask
Headgear is often used to correct an excessive overbite. This is done by placing pressure against the upper teeth and jaw, which would hold the teeth in position or help move them into better positions. The severity of the problem determines the length of time headgear needs to be worn. The key to success with your headgear appliance is consistency. Headgear must be worn a certain number of hours per day, and if not, it must be made up the following day.
Headgear should never be worn while playing sports and should also be removed while eating or brushing your teeth.
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Pendulum Appliance
The Penguin Pendulum Appliance is used to move the upper molars back when there are dental discrepancies. The fixed appliance also eliminates the need for patient compliance. Used to correct Class II malocclusions, the Penguin appliance yields results similar to that achieved by headgear but with enhanced patient comfort and improved treatment outcomes. The process generally takes around six months to complete.
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Nance Appliance
The Nance appliance is used to anchor the molars into their final position after they have been moved by the Pendulum or Pendex appliance(s). The Nance is positioned across the roof of the mouth with bands placed on the back two molars of the upper jaw. Wires are connected to the inside of the bands and an acrylic pad will be placed in the center of the wire that fits against the roof of the mouth. The Nance appliance is worn for several months while the other teeth are being moved to their correct position.
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