Fabricated by thermo-forming a thin sheet of Essix material over the entire arch, this retainer is made of a tough, stain and abrasive-resistant clear acrylic that has the light-reflecting properties to make teeth appear brilliant when the retainer is in place. The appliance covers the buccal, labial, and lingual surfaces and extends onto the gingival tissue. Note: If you have a specific finish in mind, please provide a detailed description when ordering this appliance.

It features Adams Clasps on the first molars and a standard, tightly adapted “Hawley”-type labial arch wire running from the distal of both cuspids. The acrylic should be well adapted to the palate and the lingual aspect of the teeth. Every effort should also be made to keep it thin for comfort. Note: For fabrication of this appliance, always send the lab both upper and lower casts –along with a bite relationship. .

Because the Spring Hawley is NOT designed to gain any arch width or length, space necessary to correct this crowding is gained by judicious interproximal recontouring in the anterior region only.

Before fabrication, the lab will separate the rotated and crowded anteriors from the stone cast and reset them in an ideal alignment. The appliance is then fabricated to this corrected anterior position and sent back to you for delivery. On the day of delivery, complete the necessary interproximal recontouring, then place the appliance. When worn, the spring action of the cuspid wires will direct a light labial-lingual force to align the teeth. Since this appliance has been constructed to the “ideal” setting, it may not seat well in the patient’s mouth — until the teeth adapt to their new position. Once the teeth are straight, the appliance can continue to be worn as a final retainer. Note: Since tooth movement is in a labial-lingual direction, adequate vertical dimension is essential. If the patient has a closed vertical and the upper and lower anteriors are already in contact, tooth movement will not occur.

Pressure molded for enhanced retention to the occlusal, incisal and buccal lingual surfaces of the entire arch. High level of optical clarity, as well.

The area over the hard palate is left free of acrylic. The tongue never loses its natural contact with the hard palate and the result is that speech remains virtually unaffected — and there is no danger of the patient developing a deviate swallowing pattern. To reduce the possibility of fracture, the ribbon of acrylic that contacts the lingual of the anteriors is reinforced with Kevlar. Adams Clasps are used because they remain retentive over time. To prevent any unwanted tooth movement, both the clasps and the labial bow must be designed to stay out of occlusion. Note: Always send the lab both upper and lower casts along with a bite relationship for fabrication of this appliance.

Adams Clasps and rests are placed on the molars for posterior stability and to keep the appliance from over-seating into the tissue. Note: For fabrication, always send the lab both upper and lower casts –along with a bite relationship.

It is usually soldered to the buccal bar of the Adams Clasp or to “C” Clasps. Wrapping around in this manner eliminates the possibility of occlusal interferences or opening interproximal contacts.

The labial arch wire extends from molar to molar, ensuring excellent retention and control of the entire arch. Since it does not pass over the occlusal surface, there is no occlusal interference to prevent proper function.

To stabilize the labial, two small interproximal support wires pass from the acrylic and wrap around the arch wire between the cuspids and the laterals. (The extended arms to the cuspids to provide support and prevent rotation.)

Usually “C” Clasps are used distal of the twelve-year molar for appliance retention — and are preferred in the interest of preventing any occlusal interference. Should retention pose a problem, it is advisable to place a small composite ledge on the molars. This creates a retentive undercut for the clasp.

Finally, a thin, heat-cured acrylic base is used for strength and comfort. During finishing, extra care must be taken to be sure that the acrylic is in contact with the entire lingual surface of each tooth.
Note: Always send the lab both upper and lower casts along with a bite relationship for fabrication of this appliance.

To help alleviate this problem — and add stability and retention to the anteriors — clear acrylic is processed tightly against the labial surface of the incisors. This feature adds superior retention to the overall appliance, eliminating the need for a small interproximal support wire distal to the lateral incisors (as seen in the San Antonio design).

The teeth are set-up in the corrected position on the model. The appliance is then constructed. The dentist completes the necessary interproximal recontouring on the day of delivery. When in place, the resulting labial-lingual force will align the teeth.

The helical coil (in the labial wire portion), and the “mushroom” helical coil spring design of the active lingual component make this appliance very effective for quickly aligning the incisors. The appliance may also be used as a final positioning retainer, but is not recommended for closing spaces.NOTE: The Modified Spring Retainer will NOT gain arch width or length. Adequate space for alignment of the anteriors is essential.

It works like the Spring Retainer in that the teeth on the working model are carefully placed in their ideal position prior to fabricating the appliance. The unique design features a solid lingual acrylic base that is tightly contoured to all the lingual surfaces. Buccal posterior segments are joined to the lingual via stainless steel wires, and the labial portion (covering the six anterior teeth) is joined to the posterior segments via stainless steel Omega Loops in the cuspid/bicuspid region. Once seated, this highly flexible appliance gently settles the teeth in the correct alignment. Since the Modified Adaptor™ allows for full occlusal contact of the posterior teeth, natural function aids in a rapid and secure “settling in” of the buccal segments. Unlike a Positioner, it is extremely comfortable, virtually undetectable, and can be worn full time (except while eating). Note: The Modified Adaptor is essentially a finishing retainer. No significant rotations or mesial/distal movements should be attempted with this design.

There are no clasps or support wires crossing the occlusion. In addition, a small amount of space closure and retraction can be accomplished via use of a sliding labial bow. The sliding labial bow consists of a .010 X .022 wire running through tubes that are placed buccal to the first bicuspid region. Bilateral elastics connect hooks at the distal end of the labial wire to hooks in the molar region. Note: If lingual retraction is required for space closure, a positive overjet is necessary.

This is especially true when they have not been diligent in wearing their final retainers. When this happens, patients often prefer to have it corrected without having to wear brackets again. The Bloore Aligner is excellent for this purpose.

Springs — “eyelet arms” — are placed lingual to each incisor and are individually activated to move the teeth into alignment. Interproximal reductions and incisal re-contouring are utilized (as needed) to gain room and provide an esthetic result.

Note: When The Bloore Aligner is used on the lower arch, it is important to make sure that the incisors are not coupling with the lingual of the uppers prior to initiating treatment. Vertical and AP clearance are required in order to successfully correct the lower anteriors. Once the anteriors are re-aligned, a fixed lingual retainer should be considered for final retention.

The lingual wire is carefully adapted for direct contact with the lingual surfaces of each anterior tooth…and is typically placed 2mm below the incisal edge. Note: Recent research shows that it is necessary to bond each tooth individually to maintain them in their corrected position. Individual anterior teeth can be secured to the lingual wire by simply adding composite over the lingual wire.

This is especially true when significant orthodontic movements are proven necessary to achieving the desired final results. The lingual wire is carefully adapted for direct contact with the lingual surfaces of each anterior tooth…and is typically placed 2mm below the incisal edge. Note: Recent research shows that it is necessary to bond each tooth individually to maintain them in their corrected position. Individual anterior teeth can be secured to the lingual wire by simply adding composite over the lingual wire.

Fabricated from flexible plastic (silicone or rubber), this retaining appliance is typically used to create a slightly over-treated Class I relationship. The appliance is fabricated after the individual teeth are cut from a current set of models and reset into the ideal relationship. Impressions for this appliance can be taken with brackets still in place. This will allow you to deliver the appliance immediately on the same day that you plan to remove your bands and brackets. Upon delivery, the patient is instructed to clench into the Positioner on a scheduled basis. This action not only allows for a gentle settling-in of the individual teeth (into their correct positions), but also establishes a correct interarch relationship. Various colors (as well as the standard clear material) are available for this appliance. Note: A specific “Set-up and Positioner Prescription” form is available upon request.

The most recent research shows that in order to maintain teeth in their corrected position, it is necessary to bond each tooth individually. This can prove difficult to accomplish without making patient hygiene a struggle in the bargain. Typically, patients who have lingual bonded retainers must use floss threaders to clean interproximally. The lingual bonded retainer (shown here) is designed to allow the patients to floss normally — making it much easier for them to maintain a healthy oral condition. With this appliance, loops of Australian wire are placed between all the teeth — except in the lower incisor region where the interproximal distances are too close. The loops avoid the interproximal areas and allow patients to floss. A floss threader is recommended for use between the lower incisors.

These pads have a metal-mesh backing for superior retention. The carefully contoured lingual wire is routinely placed 2mm below the incisal edges (unless prescribed otherwise). Additionally, many practitioners choose to add the first bicuspids into the retentive unit (as pictured). Note: Recent research shows that it is necessary to bond each tooth individually to maintain them in their corrected position. Individual anterior teeth can be secured to the lingual wire by simply adding composite over the lingual wire.

Acrylic rests placed on the pre molars with a midline rest for easy positioning and bonding saving you chair time.