Types of Appliances

rubber bands | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. It is important that you or your teen wears the rubber bands as recommended by the Crane & Seager Orthodontics team because they work far more efficiently if they're worn as prescribed.

forsus | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Forsus™

The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is an alternative to headgear which promotes growth in adolescents, helping to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth, and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery.

RPE | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander "expands" (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Dr. Crane or Dr. Seager will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

positioner | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Postitioners

Positioners complete the final tooth movements in your Crane & Seager orthodontic treatment. When the appliance is worn as recommended, you should only need to wear the positioner appliance for four to eight weeks.

retainers | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. The Crane & Seager Orthodontics team will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment.

types of appliances | Crane & Seager Orthodontics in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO

Separators or Spacers

Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. When you receive separators or spacers at our Fort Collins or Loveland, Colorado office, remember to avoid sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss, as these will damage the separators or spacers.