An active appliance is a device used to apply forces to the teeth to change the relationship of the teeth.

a.)Removable active appliances

* Expansion and Labial Segment Alignment Appliance (ELSAA)

b.) Fixed active appliances

* Pin and Tube Appliances
* Ribbon Arch Appliances
* Begg Lightwire Appliances
* Edgewise Appliances
* Pre-adjusted Edgwise Appliances
* Self-ligating Edgewise Appliances
* Bi Helix
* Tri Helix
* Quad Helix
* Rapid Maxillary Expansion Appliance (RPE)
(Source:Wikipedia)

In most cases such as crossbites, and others, you will need braces. However there are somethings you need to consider first before you get them. We found this useful article from archwired.com that definitely helps. Here are our favorites:

Get at least two opinions, if possible, as a “sanity check.” Orthodontists can vary in their treatment approach. If you don’t like what one ortho says, get more opinions until you reach a consensus of opinion — especially if extractions or jaw surgery may be involved. Consultations are usually free.

How much do braces cost? Typically, around $5,000 (US dollars) for braces on upper and lower teeth for two years of treatment. This cost may be slightly lower or higher, depending on where you live.

Be realistic about your own expectations, and the impact of braces in your daily life. Are you ready to have them in your mouth and deal with them 24/7?

More tips here.

A person with an extended chin may have to see a dentist as soon as possible; he may have Prognathism. It is the extension of the jaw that happens when problems in the face bones cause the teeth to be misaligned. It might also be because of genetics, or inherited conditions like Crouzon syndrome or basal cell nevus syndrome.

Possible effects maybe difficulty in talking, biting, or chewing. Treatment can be in the form of orthodontics and surgery, braces, or teeth removal. Here’s a partial list of prominent personalities with this condition:

Charles II of Spain
Marie Antoinette
Jay Leno

Source

Teeth seems to be overcrowded? Misaligned? Lower teeth more prominent that the upper one? Most likely it’s Malocclusion. Here’s the scientific definition: a misalignment of teeth and/or incorrect relation between the teeth of two dental arches. In sever cases, people with this condition have a hard time eating or speaking.

Causes include thumb sucking, pacifier use, tooth loss, or if children have a small jaw, their teeth may grow in a place that’s too small.

If diagnosed early, some teeth may need to be taken out to ensure that there’s space for new teeth to grow. Next, braces are attached. For adults, surgery is required. As usual, early detection and treatment is suggested.

Source

Usually, the upper-jaw teeth should be outside of the lower ones. If one or more lower-jaw teeth is on the outside, this is what you would call a crossbite.

What causes crossbite? It can either be genetic or habits such as thumb sucking, or sever tongue thrusting. A genetic type of crossbite can be identified by the lower jaw wider than the upper. If left untreated one side of the jaw will grow longer, the nasal airways get too narrow, and jaw joints don’t work well. Adults with this kind of condition can only be corrected with surgery.

In order to avoid this, have the dentist check your children’s teeth as soon as possible. At an early age, this can be corrected by a simple fixed appliance.

Source

by: Christine Zafra

Smoking nowadays is a trend. The “cool dudes” in your school might be doing it, but do you really have to follow them? Aside from the health risks, “dentally” speaking, it can cause the darkening of your teeth. The nicotine stains can either tarnish the front incisors, or the back of your teeth. This can turn off a lot of people since it is not pleasant to look at. There is, however, a way to whiten those teeth of yours. You can have a regular prophylaxis (or cleaning) to remove those ugly nicotine stains caused by smoking. Visit your dentist regularly to achieve healthy, not to mention nice to look at, teeth.

by: Christine Zafra

Have you seen people with braces wear those colored rubber bands on their mouths? Do you think it looks cool that’s why people (normally kids and teenagers) out them over their mouths? No. Actually, those colorful rubber bands have a purpose. They’re not there for aesthetic purposes only (if they are!). These bands are there to correct the positioning of the teeth. If a person has underbite, overbite or deep bite or perhaps crossbite, chances are they’ll be wearing a couple or more of these colorful rubber bands. It actually helps the braces draw together or apart the jaw, so as to minimize the said wrong bites.