Braces do incredible things for teeth and bites. They have long been known for their ability to straighten crooked teeth and repair nearly every other orthodontic issue. But sometimes, braces need a little help to realign jaws and move the teeth. In those cases, we use a forsus appliance to help.
What are forsus springs, and how do they help your smile? These springs for braces help us realign your smile. They’re one of many tools we use to create the smile of your dreams!
Forsus springs, sometimes called a forsus appliance or braces springs, are coiled springs that connect your upper and lower jaws. The main function of this braces coil is to realign the jaw by bringing the lower jaw forward and pushing the upper jaw back. This fixed appliance accomplishes this by putting pressure on your teeth and jaws to move them.
The forsus appliance is made up of a push rod that telescopes into a spring to push against the lower teeth, moving the jaw forward. Hooks on either end connect it to the braces. One hook slides into a small tube on the side of the back molar band below the archwire. The bottom hook is bent to a near loop, and the lower archwire is threaded through it.
We apply a forsus appliance after several months to a year into your braces treatment. We use the braces spring to repair an overbite. We may use a forsus spring because your jaws aren’t realigning fast enough with just braces.
We may also use a forsus appliance in place of rubber bands. Rubber bands are often used to perform the same task, but their success depends strongly on the patient's compliance. The patient may find it difficult to carry around a package of rubber bands and switch them out with every meal.
The forsus appliance is in your mouth 24/7, so you never have to worry about whether it’s working as you do with rubber bands. On average, patients wear the forsus springs for 3-8 months.
We can apply your braces springs during your regular orthodontic checkup. We will slide the springs into the upper molar bands on your braces, then remove the archwire and slide it through the bottom loop on the springs. We will then replace the archwire, which will help hold the spring in place.
The orthodontic springs shouldn’t make your teeth any more sore than a regular braces adjustment, and that should disappear after a day or two. You can eat soft foods and rinse with warm salt water to reduce discomfort.
Your cheeks may initially be irritated while pressed against the springs, particularly while you sleep. They should get used to the springs after a few days. Let us know if they’re too irritated, and we can offer dry angles. These cotton triangles slide between your teeth and cheek and provide padding to protect your cheek.
You may find it awkward to chew or open your mouth for the first few days. This feeling will disappear once you get used to the springs on your braces. It shouldn’t take too long since you will already be used to having braces.
How do you clean braces with springs? Extra hardware can always present a challenge to clean. There are tools available that can make it easier.
Brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush can clean your braces springs easier than a manual one because the bristles often spin and/or vibrate. This movement can help get the bristles into the nooks and crannies your manual toothbrush may not reach.
A floss threader can help get dental floss around your device so you can floss your teeth properly. Dental floss is threaded through the large eye of the thin, plastic floss threader. You can then slide the floss threader around the springs and archwire and through your teeth.
In addition, you can use a water flosser to dislodge food particles and plaque from around your forsus appliance. A water flosser, such as a Waterpik, shoots a thin stream of water at high speed, removing food and plaque from between your teeth and around your gum line. It should be used as a supplement to regular dental floss, not as a substitute.
The forsus appliance is strong, so it should hold up well in the few months it’s in your mouth during orthodontic treatment. However, hard, chewy, or sticky foods can damage it. They are the same foods you should avoid with braces, so abiding by those rules will also keep your forsus appliance safe.
Contact us if your braces spring breaks or dislodges from your archwire. We will bring you in for a repair.
What happens if you open your mouth wide and the push rod dislodges from the spring? You may be able to fix it at home.
Open your mouth wide and push the spring down so you can slide the push rod back into the end of the spring. Once the push rod is in place, release the spring. It should hold the push rod properly.
If this doesn’t work, just give us a call. We will bring you in for a repair. We will need to take care of it as soon as possible so your treatment isn’t delayed.
Not every patient will get a Forsus appliance. We will determine whether you will need one as part of your treatment plan. Your plan for orthodontic care is part of your first consultation and evaluation. Schedule an appointment with Zombek Orthodontics to find out more!
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