At Southern Maine Pediatric Dentistry we provide interceptive orthodontic care. Below you will find a list of some the orthodontic care we provide.


Space Maintainers

Band and Loop

Unilateral space maintainer is used when a patient is missing a primary molar. This appliance is used to hold the space so the adult tooth can be guided into the right place. It is also used prior to the permanent incisors erupting, if the patient is missing molars on both sides- 2 appliances are needed.


Bilateral Space Maintainer/ Lower Lingual Arch/ Holding Arch

This appliance is for the mandible. It reserves space when teeth are prematurely lost on the lower right and/or lower left. It is also used when two teeth are missing next to each other. This appliance also prevents the back molars from drifting forward. This appliance is generally not used until after the mandibular permanent incisors have erupted.


Distal Shoe

A distal shoe appliance can be used as a space maintainer if a primary 2nd molar is lost early, and the first permanent molar is not yet erupted. It is usually used with unilateral tooth loss. It has to be placed at the time of extractions and requires local anesthetic to place/remove. It also has to be replaced once the 6 year molar erupts.


Transpalatal Arch (TPA)

Appliance for the maxilla. Used when patients are missing their primary first or second molars or adjacent teeth in the top arch. Used to hold arch after an expander has been used.


CrossBite Appliances

Anterior Crossbite Appliance

This appliance is used when 1 or more incisors are in crossbite in the maxilla. This gives the correct amount of pressure to protrude the upper incisor(s) to create a positive overjet. Removable or fixed appliances can be made.


Rapid Palate Expander

This appliance can be used to correct posterior crossbites and to widen an arch to make room for eruption of permanent teeth. It is an appliance that is attached to your teeth by bands and dental cement. It is expanded with a key which is turned by an adult over a given period of time, usually 2-3 weeks.


Quad Helix with Palatal Expander

Spreads the back teeth apart with a spring. See RPE for further expansion benefits. This appliance can be used to correct posterior crossbites and to widen an arch to make room for eruption of permanent teeth. It is predominately used when primary teeth are present.


Habit Correction

Habit appliances are used to repress and eventually eliminate the habit of tongue thrusting and thumb sucking which causes anterior flare and open bite. They are also used to help intrude posterior teeth. Habit cribs can be added to almost any appliance or as a separate fixed appliance (recommended to reduce patient compliance).

Palatal Crib Appliance
Thumb Crib

Palatal Crib Appliance
Tongue Crib

Bluegrass Appliance
Bead Roller


Bite Malocclusions

Underbite

Openbite

Deepbite

Crossbite

If your child is in need of dental care, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (207) 773-3111.