Braces & Clear Aligners in Windermere & Orlando
Straighter Smiles Just for You
At MyFamily Orthodontics, we combine advanced treatments with a family-friendly atmosphere. Dr. Lauris Johnson and our caring team deliver exceptional results with the latest braces and clear aligner technology.
Other Treatments
No matter what your goals are for your smile, MyFamily Orthodontics’ additional treatments can help. From professional teeth whitening to advanced orthodontic appliances, our team has the expertise to create a healthy, confident smile.
Teeth Whitening
A professional teeth whitening treatment is a simple way to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. Over time, teeth can become discolored due to coffee, tea, wine, and aging. With our safe and effective whitening options, you can get a noticeably brighter smile in no time.
In-office whitening treatments use advanced formulas to gently lift stains and improve the natural color of your teeth, often in just one session. Custom take-home whitening kits are also available for those who prefer to whiten at their own pace.
Rapid Palatal Expander
A palatal expander is one of several orthodontic appliances to correct or prevent malocclusions (bad bites, crossbites, severe crowding, and/or blocked-out teeth). Starting during childhood is beneficial because treatment will be more effective during the natural growth period of the child.
The expanders will be custom-made to fit over most of the top teeth in the back of the mouth. The expander will induce tension at the intersection of the two palatal bones to progressively move the two bones apart. Treatment generally takes three to nine months from start to finish.
Please do not be alarmed if you or your child have any of the following experiences below as it is normal for this type of treatment and is a sign that the expanders are working:
- Soreness
- Feeling of pressure
- Speaking and eating feel a little different at first
- A small gap between the front teeth
Bite Correction With HERBST or MARA
If your child has an overbite and is still growing, simple treatment with braces will not correct the problem. The HERBST or MARA appliance is used to help the lower jaw develop in a forward direction. This eventually leads to an ideal bite.
The upper and lower parts of HERBST or MARA appliance are bonded to your child’s molars. It also includes a connection between the upper and lower. By adjusting the connection, Dr. Johnson is able to control the lower jaw’s position in relation to the upper teeth.
Typical treatment time with a HERBST or MARA appliance is 12 months. Braces can be worn before, during, or after HERBST or MARA use.
Forsus
We may recommend that some teenagers or adult patients use a Forsus appliance to help correct their bite. The Forsus appliance functions similar to elastic, but is placed by our orthodontist and cannot be removed except by our doctor. It works to eliminate moderate overbites, and improve the fit of the teeth.
The Forsus appliance is made up of a spring that is attached to the upper molar bands. Typically, there is a spring on each side of your mouth. These springs work to move your jaw into the ideal bite position.
You may feel some discomfort while your mouth adjusts, but you should not have problems eating or speaking after the initial period of adjustment. Over time, your jaw will move into the correct position, and you will “learn” to bite properly.
Space Maintainer
Space maintainers are appliances used in the mouth to preserve and maintain space. They are necessary when one or more primary molars have been prematurely lost due to trauma or disease. Using a space maintainer allows the permanent teeth to erupt or grow into the correct alignment with proper tooth-to-tooth contact.
When properly used, space maintainers can prevent movement of the first molars, preventing loss of space for other teeth, including adult bicuspid and canines, which are permanent.
If the permanent first molars are not held in the correct positions they can begin to drift forward, stopping the bicuspid teeth from erupting properly. The first bicuspids may also move forward, blocking the way for the permanent canines to erupt correctly.
There are many types of space maintainers that may be used, depending on the location of the tooth and the needs of the patient. If you wish to discuss a case in more detail, our team is here to assist you.