Bite planes, also known as dental splints, are devices used to correct problems like 'deep-bite'. This condition is characterized by excessive overlapping of the lower teeth by the upper front teeth.

Braces are a device commonly used by orthodontists to help straighten teeth. Having braces can improve the attractiveness of your smile and correct improper alignment of teeth that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.

Elastics are wires, springs, or rubber bands attached to braces, usually between the upper and lower or front and back teeth. The elastics apply tension and cause teeth to move.

Functional appliances are used to adjust the position of your teeth and jaws during orthodontic treatment. They can be used alone or before and after treatment with braces.

Headgear helps to speed the straightening of your teeth by allowing outside forces to be applied to the braces in your mouth. In younger patients, headgear can help influence the direction of jaw growth.

The design of different types of braces varies, but each type has similar parts. Braces consist of brackets with varying widths that are bonded to your teeth with composite resin.

Not everyone needs full braces when a problem is limited to one or two crooked teeth. For minor tooth correction many orthodontists use removable braces.

After you're finished wearing fixed braces, you need something to keep your teeth from going back to their original position. Retainers are designed to hold teeth in their new locations until all parts of the mouth and jaw have adjusted to the new tooth positions.