Orthodontic lab

Orthodontic appliances for the expansion of dental arches.

Orthodontic appliances for the expansion of dental arches.

They have two lateral acrylic blocks resting on the canines, the lateral teeth are only touched on their oral surface. They have a Bimler labial arch on the upper and lower labial surface, and loop springs or split wire supports on the cingulum of the lower and upper front teeth. The two acrylate blocks are connected by Coffin springs.

Activation: by activating the Coffin spring, the appliance is adjusted according to the expansion of the dental arch. Differential activation of the labial arches and the loop springs allows the anterior teeth to be moved, protrusion, retraction, rotation. By adjusting the acrylate, we can control the movement of the teeth, and we can also adjust the appliance extended into the interocclusal space according to Harvold.

Wear time: 10-12 hours per day for one to two years.

It consists of an upper and a lower simple plate, with two large double helix finger springs ("snake teeth") pointing towards the tongue from the palatal anterior surface of the upper plate. The lingual surface of the lower plate is formed with a groove corresponding to the two finger springs, so that when clenched, the "snake teeth" position the mandible sagittally and transversely.

Preparation: on the basis of a construction bite on plaster models.

Activation: as with the plates, the pre-bite can be somewhat enhanced by pre-setting the "snake teeth".

It is similar to the double front guide plate, but here the forward guidance is provided by the inclined design of the side guide plates of the lower and upper plate. When biting, adequate space must be provided for the lateral guide acrylate blocks. If the bite becomes very open at the front, it is advisable to use a tongue barrier.

Bimaxillary devices, mostly for the treatment of distal bite.

Preparation: they are based on models and a construction bite, optional springs, frontal arches, possibly staples should be provided, although the latter reduce the kinetic effect. The acrylate block design should also be provided. By inserting an expansion screw, we can adjust our device to match the expanding tooth arches.

Activation: can be done by means of cutting out and activating the frontal arches or springs, and can be padded with a self-bonding material in the mouth.

Wear time: 10-12 hours per day for one to two years.

Made of acrylate, based on impression and construction bite. The lower front teeth are fixed with cement. Used only for crossbites on one or possibly two anterior teeth.
If there are other abnormalities, it is advisable to choose a different device.
Do not use it for more than a month.

Bimaxillary or also known as functional appliances, which cover both jaws.
They can be used in mixed dentition, possibly in mixed dentition.

Preparation: an adequate impression, including the bend and the frenulum, is required! If necessary, raise the edges of the impression channel.

Wearing time: 20 hours a day for years.

No activation is required, except presetting if needed.

The patient bites down on the device, or when they close their jaws, a forced movement is made through the teeth. This is counteracted by a reflex mechanism originating from the root canal of the teeth, so the masticatory muscles are activated and the mandible is reflexively pushed into the position corresponding to the construct bite. The articular head thus leaves its resting position, a gap is created between the head and the condyle and this triggers an increased and corresponding growth of the head. This "jumping the bite" effect works for all construction bite devices, typically all activators. The maxilla is counteracted by a retrusion of the maxillary arch and a posterior change in the direction of maxillary growth.

Simple plate, Hawley plate, Hawley retainer
Appliances that extend over a jawbone, mainly for the treatment of dental anomalies.

The retention splint is made at the end of the orthodontic treatment, so that the newly formed position of the teeth is maintained in the future. The final phase of orthodontic treatment is called the retention phase.

Osamu appliances are soft-hard braces for a full arch. Flexible material covers the vestibular and lingual tooth contour, the alveolar mucosa. The entire structure is reinforced by a polycarbonate foil. The double-layer material provides enhanced comfort and durability, allowing the natural positioning of the arch in the occlusion.

A customised device for effective protection of teeth during sports.
It can be made using a vacuum moulding technique or 3D printing, after digital or traditional impression taking.

Hyrax-like device, exclusively anchored on palatal 4 screws.
With the development of digital technology, it is now possible to digitally design the screw positions based on CT. Thus, a drilling template can be made and the device can be printed, thus obtaining an accurate device that can be anchored in one sitting.

A cast or printed thick palatal arch anchored on rings, with hooks or other attachments for anchoring orthodontic elements. They may be made by soldering cast frames to rings or by printing entirely in metal. It may also include miniscrews as anchors.

An appliance with a similar purpose and made in a similar way to the hyrax appliance. Here, however, instead of anterior rings, palatal miniscrews are used. The advantage is less dental side-effects and the fact that the appliance is more rigid in the anterior plane, so that there is less tooth or maxillary tilt.

Their job is to maintain the treatment result by keeping the teeth fixed in relation to each other, by splinting.The wire used as a splint can be a 0.4 mm twisted wire, or a thicker annealed round or ribbon-like wire made up of several strands.

Hyrax-like device, exclusively anchored on palatal 2 screws.
With the development of digital technology, it is now possible to digitally design the screw positions based on CT. Thus, a drilling template can be made and the device can be printed, thus obtaining an accurate device that can be anchored in one sitting

An appliance anchored in the palatal tube of the bands on the maxillary first molars, consisting of a 0.9 mm arch following the dental arch orally and an acrylic bite pad fitting over the teeth and palate in the anterior region. Its height is communicated to the laboratory using a construction bite. The lower front teeth bite down on the pad to achieve bite elevation.

A rapid dilator, which works by tearing the labial suture and is used to dilate the upper dental arch skeletal body. It is usually anchored on 4 bands (first molars, first premolars, or possibly milk canines) It is advisable to perform a direct band test in the office. The bands are soldered to the metal arms of the Hyrax screw or possibly laser welded. The ideal expansion rate is 0.8-1 mm per day. The required dilation is overcompensated by 1-3 mm. The device is then left on for at least three months for retention. Can also be made with metal printing.

Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) is a specific type of Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE), capable of producing large maxillary and midface expansion in young as well as in adult patients.

The MSE uses 4 TADs for fixation to the palate and a wrench for activation. It attaches to 2 molar bands via 4 legs for stabilization.

It is indicated in the treatment of posterior cross bite, Class III malocclusions and it is able to improve nasal airflow and breathing. Recent publications show the positive effects also in the therapy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

These retention appliances can be fixed or removable appliances. The fixed type consists of a band and a metal arm attached to it.
A removable appliance is actually an acrylic plate into which a space-retaining element or elements are inserted in order to keep adjacent teeth out of the area of tooth loss.