Orthodontic Appliances

Orthodontic Appliances

Southern Cross Dental offer a wide range of Fixed Active and Passive, and Removable Active and Passive Orthodontic Appliances and Retainers.

- Fixed – Active
These appliances are cemented in the mouth and apply active forces to move the teeth in the desired direction. Popular appliances we make are the RME (rapid maxillary expander) range to achieve expansion, distalisers, fixed functional appliances like the Herbst and more. Designs can be customised to match the patient’s needs.

- Fixed - Passive
These appliances are cemented in the mouth but do not have elements that provide force to the teeth. These are often retainers, and we can make a jig or Memosil® key to help locate the wires when bonding. Alternative options include arch maintainers/extra anchorage devices like lingual and transpalatal arches.

- Removable - Passive orthodontic appliances are worn after orthodontic treatment, to help teeth stay in their desired position. They’re usually worn at night after fixed appliance or sequential aligner therapy has been completed.

- Removable - Active
Removable orthodontic appliances are often utilised during limited tooth movement within the primary, mixed or permanent dentitions. They may be used in either upper or lower arches and typically incorporate finger springs or elastics as active components. Design options include expansion plates with screws and springs.

- Functional Appliances
These are often plates that help correct jaw discrepancies by harnessing growth to achieve a more favourable skeletal correction. They are often expansion and/or jaw repositioning devices. Patient age, malocclusion, growth potential, and compliance can all be important factors to consider in choosing the right appliance.

- Space Maintainer – Passive
These can be fixed or removable. They prevent space closure that may arise due to early loss of a deciduous tooth. They are customised to suit the needs of the patient. They may even be used in patients that are soon to receive a dental implant, preventing the adjacent teeth from drifting into the space.