The Herbst appliance is a functional orthopedic appliance which postures the patient’s lower jaw (mandible) in a forward direction. This appliance is used in growing patients to promote forward growth of the lower jaw. When a child is growing, it is possible to improve the balance of the jaws with a Herbst appliance. In this [...]

A functional appliance is a device designed to alter the relationship between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. It is best used on patients whose bones are still growing, thus taking advantage of the relative immaturity of these bones. These appliances are custom-made and specifically designed to realign the jaws so that they are [...]

The rapid palatal expander (RPE) is a fixed appliance which widens the patient’s upper jaw (maxilla). This appliance is used in growing patients to help correct both crowding and cross bites. An upper jaw that is too narrow is one component of your particular orthodontic problem list. Because you are still growing, the doctor will [...]