Functional appliances

Functional appliances can be used in conjunction with, or in preparation for, treatment with braces or aligners. They help to move your teeth and jaws into the proper positions.

Types of functional appliances

We have a functional appliance for every type of malocclusion at Trinity House. We will help you determine the best one to suit your needs.

Twin Block

A Twin Block is one of the most commonly used functional appliances in orthodontics. It is a set of upper and lower removable plates that work together to correct jaw issues such as underbites and overbites.

The Twin Block is activated each time you swallow, talk or bite together. These actions exert a gentle pressure on the dental arches and help move the jaw into proper alignment.

Beneslider

This device helps guide the permanent first molars backwards to make more space for incoming teeth. It is an alternative to headgear and helps prevent the need for extractions. The Beneslider can be used in conjunction with braces or aligner treatment.

Carriere® appliance

This appliance is used to help prepare your smile for treatment with braces or aligners. A smooth metal appliance will be fitted to the upper canine and first molar on each side of your mouth to address misalignments in the back teeth.

Headgear and reverse headgear

Headgear is used to correct overbites in growing smiles by holding back the growth of the upper jaw. Headgear can also be used to make more space for teeth to grow in. Headgear needs to be worn approximately 12 to 22 hours a day to be most effective.

Reverse headgear is used for young who have under-developed upper jaws. The appliance puts forward traction on the upper jaw so that it can catch up in growth.

How to care for your functional appliances

Cleaning functional appliances is easy, but it’s best to do it right after each meal. We offer a special cleaning pack for functional appliances, and you can ask our receptionists about them!

In addition to proper cleaning, don’t forget to remove your appliance when swimming or taking part in contact sport.