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What are positioners in orthodontics?

What are positioners in orthodontics?

Your tooth positioner is a custom-made appliance that your orthodontist designed just for you to effectively accomplish final tooth movement without braces. Faithful wearing of this appliance will complete your treatment and provide an excellent result.

What is the purpose of Archwire?

The central function of the archwire is to shift the teeth into their proper positions. It is responsible for most movements that occur in the mouth during treatment.

What is an orthodontic assessment?

The purpose of an orthodontic assessment is to evaluate and record the features of a malocclusion in preparation for planning treatment, if indicated.

What is kesling tooth positioner?

orthodontics. Harold Dean Kesling (April 8, 1901 – 1979) was an American orthodontist who is known for developing the tooth positioning appliance called “Positioner”. This appliance is used in orthodontics at the end of treatment to allow teeth to settle in occlusion.

Why is a positioner used in orthodontics?

A tooth positioner is used to control settling and to minimize or eliminate relapse of the teeth after an orthodontic treatment.

What is the difference between an orthodontic positioner and a Hawley retainer?

A tooth positioner may be used to improve your bite, but they do not make good long term retainers. Positioners do not retain front teeth straightness long term as well as standard removable Hawley retainers. Tooth positioners are also bulking and take away your ability to speak.

How does an archwire work?

An archwire puts pressure on your teeth and jawline, and elastic O-rings connect the archwire to the brackets. The archwire is adjusted periodically as your teeth slowly move into the desired place, and the elastic bands are switched out at orthodontist appointments.

What are orthodontic wires made of?

Orthodontic archwires may be fabricated from several alloys, most commonly stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi), and beta-titanium alloy (composed primarily of titanium and molybdenum).

What happens in an orthodontic assessment?

During your consultation your specialist orthodontist will examine your teeth; x-rays and photographs of your teeth may be taken, and sometimes impressions (moulds of your teeth) are needed to help us decide what course of treatment is best for you.

How do you assess orthodontic crowding?

The amount of crowding was assessed by measuring the discrepancy, in millimetres, between the space available in the arch between the contact points of adjacent teeth and the mesio-distal width of the displaced tooth, taking care to conform to the individual’s arch form.

What is retainer made of?

Your orthodontist will fit you for a retainer. This is a custom-made device, usually made of rubber or plastic, that prevents your teeth from moving back to their original positions. Your retainer may have metal wires that hold your teeth in alignment while the bones and gums heal.

What is a positioner retainer?

The Positioner® Appliance is used to maintain a previous orthodontic result or to simply prevent undesirable movement of the teeth. Typically, patients wear a retainer full-time for three months following active orthodontic treatment. Thereafter patients wear retainers nightly and at home for nine additional months.

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Ruth Doyle