Within a set period of time, the expander actually forces the jaw bones to separate and widen. This results in new bone growth and therefore a wider jaw with more space for teeth. Then using braces, the teeth are assisted in realigning themselves in the additional area. There are a number of appliances designed for specific areas of concern such as the Herbst which holds the lower jaw forward and encourages its growth to better fit the upper jaw. However, there are limits, and even with the expansion, some patients may still need to have teeth pulled.
Braces are no longer consider a social or sports handicap.
As a matter of fact, braces are kind of cool these days. Several years ago I attend a national meeting and was surprised that colored elastics were the new hot item, Booth said. Now we almost have designer braces with silver, gold or clear braces, every color of the rainbow for elastic ties and retainers of all colors. And when it comes to sports, braces aren t a liability either. Orthodontists offer a variety of mouth guards to protect children who play contact sports.