Orthodontic appliances work together to gently move, guide, and hold teeth in healthier positions, correcting everything from misalignment and bite problems to spacing and overcrowding. Depending on the phase of treatment—early intervention, active alignment, or retention—patients may use supportive appliances like expanders or arches, active options like braces or aligners, and retainers to maintain results. Because every smile is unique, your orthodontist will design a customized plan with the right combination of appliances to deliver lasting results for your health and confidence.
At Dental Depot of DFW, you can get the orthodontic care you need from the same trusted team that provides your family’s routine dental services. With treatment options for patients of all ages, we make it simple and convenient to get everything from cleanings to braces or clear aligners all under one roof. Plus, with commonsense pricing, flexible payment options, and financing plans, achieving a healthy, confident smile is always within reach.
Orthodontic treatment works by gently guiding your teeth—and sometimes your jaw—into healthier positions over time. Braces, clear aligners, and other appliances apply light, steady pressure that encourages your teeth to gradually shift where they need to be. As this happens, the bone around your teeth naturally adjusts and reshapes to support them in their new alignment. It’s a slow, steady process, but one that delivers lasting results for both your smile and your oral health.
Â
Orthodontic treatment can even relieve jaw pain.Â
Modern orthodontic appliances are highly effective because they combine biology, biomechanics, and personalized care that can be precisely customized. Brackets, wires, or aligner trays, for example, are tailored to each patient’s unique dental anatomy and treatment goals, and orthodontic specialists can calibrate the force levels carefully to move teeth efficiently without causing damage, enabling patients to achieve a straighter smile, better function, and long-term oral health.
The type of appliance used in orthodontic treatment depends on the individual’s specific needs, age, severity of misalignment, and lifestyle. Traditional braces with metal or ceramic brackets are strong and reliable, while clear aligners offer a discreet and removable alternative for mild to moderate correction. Additional tools—such as palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, headgear to guide jaw growth, and power chains to close gaps—can be incorporated for more complex cases.
No two smiles are the same, which is why orthodontic appliances are never one-size-fits-all. The appliances your orthodontist recommends will depend on your age, the specific issues being corrected, and the phase of treatment you’re in.
Phase 1 (Early Intervention). For younger children, this phase helps guide jaw growth, create space for incoming teeth, and correct issues before they become more complex. Appliances like expanders, spacers, or partial braces may be used.
Phase 2 (Active Treatment). This is the phase most people think of when they picture braces or aligners. The goal is to move teeth into their proper positions, improve bite alignment, and create a balanced, healthy smile.
Phase 3 (Retention). After active treatment, retainers are used to keep teeth in their new positions and prevent them from shifting back over time.
Because every patient’s needs are different, your orthodontist will design a customized plan with the appliances best suited for your unique smile and long-term oral health.
Preparatory or supportive orthodontic appliances are designed to guide growth, create space, or stabilize teeth and include:
A palatal expander widens the upper jaw when it’s too narrow, creating more room for teeth to grow in properly and preventing overcrowding. It’s most often used in children, while the jaw is still developing, but can also be effective for teens and some adults. By gently applying pressure over time, expanders help guide natural jaw growth and can reduce the need for more complex treatments later on.
Spacers, or separators, are small rubber bands or metal rings placed between the teeth to make room for orthodontic bands. They’re typically worn for about a week before braces are applied, ensuring there’s enough space for your orthodontist to anchor the appliance securely. Space maintainers can also be used for children who lose baby teeth early, helping hold space until permanent teeth come in.
A bite plate (or bite plane) is a custom device that fits over the upper or lower teeth to help correct deep bites, overbites, or underbites. By preventing certain teeth from fully touching, bite plates train the jaw and teeth into healthier alignment. They’re often used along with braces to speed up bite correction and improve overall results.
A transpalatal arch (TPA) is a wire that connects two metal bands on the upper back molars. It’s designed to stabilize those teeth, hold space for others to move, or make minor adjustments to molar position. TPAs are often used when the upper jaw needs extra control during treatment.
A lingual arch works much like a transpalatal arch but is placed on the lower molars instead of the upper. It’s often used to hold space in the lower arch, maintain molar position, or create room for erupting permanent teeth. Both appliances help keep treatment on track by ensuring back teeth stay where they need to be.
Active orthodontic appliances apply force to move teeth into alignment and include:
Braces remain one of the most reliable orthodontic treatments, used by children, teens, and adults alike. Braces move teeth into healthier alignment, by applying steady, gentle pressure over time. Treatment typically takes 12–36 months, depending on the case, and today’s patients can choose from a variety of options, such as:
Braces are made up of several small but important parts that work together to move teeth:
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are removable trays custom-made to gradually shift teeth. Best for mild to moderate alignment issues, aligners are popular with teens and adults who want a discreet, flexible option. They must be worn most of the day to be effective but can be removed for eating, brushing, and special occasions.
Dental Depot of DFW is proud to be recognized as a Platinum Invisalign Provider, a distinction awarded to practices with extensive experience in clear aligner treatment. This status places us among the top providers nationwide and reflects our proven track record of helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles with Invisalign. With this expertise, you can trust that your treatment will be both effective and personalized to your needs.
Once braces come off, retention appliances are essential to keeping teeth in their corrected positions. Without, teeth can shift back over time.
Retention orthodontic appliances include:
A fixed retainer is a thin wire that your orthodontist bonds to the back (lingual side) of your teeth, where it stays in place permanently until removed by your doctor. Because it’s hidden behind your teeth, it’s virtually invisible to others. The biggest advantage of a fixed retainer is convenience; you never have to remember to take it out or put it back in, so your smile stays protected around the clock.
Removable retainers are one of the most popular options because they’re easy to take out for eating, brushing, and cleaning. Their flexibility makes them convenient, but they do require discipline; forgetting to wear them regularly can allow teeth to shift back out of place.
Optimizing your orthodontic treatment starts with choosing a team you can trust, and at Dental Depot of DFW, we bring the expertise and experience to deliver results you’ll love. From braces and clear aligners to expanders, retainers, and more, we’re experienced in all orthodontic appliances and customize every treatment plan to meet your unique needs. With affordable options, convenient locations, and the friendly faces you already know from your family’s dental care, we make achieving your best smile easier than ever.
Call today to schedule an appointment or visit us online for a free virtual orthodontic consultation!
