Bite Correction

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Bite corrector

The Mara

Not as common as a Palatal Expander, but still very effective, we have the Mara appliance. The Mara is known to correct over jets (over bites, as we like to call them). Mara’s fall into the fixed appliance category, as you are not able to remove it on your own.

Positioning

Lower jaws must be positioned forward to bring your front teeth together. This requires the child to function with their jaw in the required position to have the jaw grow into that desired position.

Typical Mara‘s have a horizontal arm on the lower jaw that extends in a sideways position from a ring on the lower first molar. The upper molar extends a vertical elbow that guides the lower jaw forward so the lower arm falls in front of the elbow.

Pros

The Mara is permanently attached to your teeth like an Palatal Expander with cement so the patient is forces to constantly use it. A Mara is also out of sight as opposed to rubber bands. A patient can also open as wide as they want.

Cons

Patients often complain about discomfort in their cheeks. The Mara is not as effective with an open bite or extreme over bite as you can bite behind elbows (defeating its purpose).

Just like other appliances the Mara primarily shifts teeth and not the jaw.

What in the world is a Forsus?

It sounds like a powerful metal appliance that solves all your orthodontic problems but what does it actually do?

The Forsus is another class 2 corrector, unlike a Mara a Forsus is able to correct a severe over jet because you do not have to be concerned with moving your jaw so far forward you surpass a Maras elbow. Forsus are not typically a first option. Orthodontists typically resort to a Forsus when they feel elastics will not resolve the issues. Orthodontists also use Forsus when a patient is non-compliant with elastics.

Positioning

Like a Mara a Forsus promotes jaw growth. A Forsus is best in adolescents while the jaw is still growing. The Forsus is made up of a spring module that is attached to molar band on the upper arch. Rods are attached to the lower inside springs. This can be a little uncomfortable as the spring exerts pressure.

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