Willowbrook, IL (Illinois), Pamela Johnson, Orthodontist

Orthodontist Pamela Johnson, Orthodontics for Children & Adults Willowbrook, IL (Illinois)

To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, you must work together as a team with Dr. Johnson. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands), headgear or other appliances as prescribed.

The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of the upper and lower teeth. Wearing rubber bands as instructed speeds your treatment along.

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in protrusion (with the uppers forward of the lowers) or an underbite (with the lowers forward of the uppers). Headgear is typically worn to bed at night only.

Herbst® Appliance

The Herbst appliance reduces protrusion by encouraging forward growth of the lower jaw and backward movement of the upper molars. This fixed appliance is used mostly for younger, growing children and is worn for about 12 months.

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander orthopedically widens the upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on the upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Dr. Johnson will instruct you about when and how to turn the key on your expander. The expander is worn for six months to hold the expansion and to prevent relapse.

Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold the teeth in their new, correct positions after they have been straightened. Dr. Johnson will instruct you on how to care for your retainers and about the duration of their wear. Wearing retainers as directed is crucial in order to maintain the orthodontic correction.

Separators (or Spacers)

Separators are little rubber bands that are placed between the teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during the next appointment. The separators will be removed before bands are placed. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods or with toothpicks and floss.

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