Forsus Appliances In Haddonfield, NJ

Several genetic and environmental factors can lead to a dental condition known as malocclusions or having a bad bite. Bad bites are a dental term for crooked or misaligned teeth that affects a person’s smile and causes inconvenience while eating food or speaking. The most common genetic cause of bad bites is the size and structure of the jawbones. When the jawbones are either too big, too small, or the upper and lower jawbones do not sit well on top of one another, it affects the alignment of a person’s teeth.

Genetic conditions like receiving a larger upper jaw from a person’s father and a smaller lower jaw from their mother can also result in malocclusions. In some cases, because of the genetic coding, people may develop and grow extra teeth, which results in overcrowding. This condition is known as hyperdontia.

The different types of malocclusions include:

  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Open bite
  • Deep bite
  • Crowding
  • Spacing
  • Overjet

Treatment For Bad Bites

Mild to moderate bad bites can be treated wearing dental devices like braces, retainers, or Invisalign. These devices are worn temporarily for anywhere between six months up to two years, depending on the severity of the malocclusions. People who have overcrowded teeth, spaced-out teeth, or crossbites are advised to wear dental braces for at least a year so that their teeth are naturally pushed back into position and align themselves nicely on the dental arches.

However, people with severe malocclusions like overbite, underbite, or open bite may be recommended for jaw surgery to correct their bad bites. During the jaw surgery, the surgeon will adjust the size, structure, and placement of the jawbones to ensure that the upper jawbone sits well on the lower jawbone, and instead of overlapping, the teeth are aligned on top of one another.

Another dental device used to correct severe cases of malocclusions is known as the Forsus appliance. Forsus appliance is usually worn by people who have severe overjets and overbites and are unwilling to wear headgears or elastics.

Forsus Appliances

A Forsus appliance is a fixed dental device that is made from stainless steel and placed on your teeth to correct overbite and overjet. The device pushes back the upper teeth and brings forward the lower teeth to ensure that the upper teeth no longer overlap on the lower teeth. At first glance, the device may look a lot like traditional metal braces, but its open coil spring mechanism provides additional pressure on the teeth to push them in place. Usually, the device is worn for a period of six months, but depending on the severity of the bad bite, the dentist may recommend wearing it for nine months or more. It is to be noted that, unlike clear aligners, retainers, and headgears, Forsus appliances are non-removable, so you must learn to eat, sleep and brush with them.

Advantages Of Forsus Appliances

  • Not as bulky or visible as headgear
  • An effective treatment for severe overbites and overjets
  • Worn for nine months or less, unlike braces that have to be worn for at least two years
  • Less costly and less painful as compared to jaw surgery

Disadvantages Of Forsus Appliances

  • Cannot be removed while eating, sleeping or brushing
  • Spring rod may come out from time to time and will require quick fixing
  • Accidentally biting the spring rod could result in chipping of teeth
  • Requires additional cleaning and maintenance
 

If you are tired of your malocclusions and want to have them corrected, then visit us at Dr. Amy James and Associates Orthodontists. They will help you to find the best treatment method for your bad bite. Contact us today at (856) 216-8009 to schedule your appointment.