What Does a Carriere Distalizer Do?

If you were alive in the 1980’s or 90’s, then you probably remember just how heavy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable metal braces could look. This was also the age of massive and incredibly awkward headgear. Until lighter and more innovative orthodontic treatments were introduced, getting fitted with and wearing this equipment was like serving a fairly lengthy sentence in social purgatory. Fortunately, patients with extremely imbalanced bite forces and severely displaced teeth can rely on the sleeker and far more sophisticated Carriere Distalizer. Although the Carriere Distalizer looks nothing like headgear from the past, it essentially performs the same function. This revolutionary orthodontic appliance has the ability to correct the bite without the removal of teeth. It is ideal for use in patients whose upper teeth are positioned too far forward.

The Benefits of Using a Carriere Distalizer

Crooked teeth are generally very easy to notice. Whenever a person smiles, any irregularities in the immediate placement or position of the teeth will be instantly apparent. One very important factor that cannot be revealed by a simple grin, however, is the overall balance and alignment of the bite. Your bite is defined by how well your teeth meet when your mouth is closed, rather than by whether or not individual teeth are straight. As such, you can have a poorly aligned bite, even as you have perfectly straight teeth. When the bite is properly aligned, the act of tearing off and masticating food will produce far less wear and tear. This in turn protects the overall health and integrity of the individual tooth structures, while additionally allowing people to freely enjoy plenty of crunchy, sticky, chewy, and otherwise hard-to-masticate foods once their orthodontic treatments are complete.

When the bite is misaligned or off, a number of both functional and aesthetic issues can exist. Severely misaligned teeth can dramatically alter the overall shape and appearance of the face. Moreover, teeth that are meant for tearing and grinding food will be subjected to undue wear. This wear can eventually cause stress fractures and cracks that allow harmful bacteria in. Thus, although it isn’t possible to assess the condition and quality of the bite by simply looking at a person’s smile, the drawbacks of having a misaligned and imbalanced bite can quickly become all too apparent. If these and any other related issues are left unchecked, tooth decay and infection can set in. This is how a poor bite greatly increases the likelihood of severe decay and eventual tooth loss.

The Carriere Distalizer makes it easy for patients to have bite correction performed. This tooth alignment appliance is typically used on its own, just ahead of other forms of orthodontic treatment that further refine and straighten the smile. Like headgear, the Carriere Distalizer enables the orthodontist to gradually and strategically realign your teeth, without having to pull any of these natural structures out in order to create adequate room.

One of the most important benefits of this treatment is a significant increase in overall confidence. A healthy and aligned bite supports any treatments that are used to further straighten the teeth and refine the smile. By straightening your bite ahead of wearing braces, you won’t just shorten your treatment time for braces, you will also significantly extend the duration of your treatment results.

Shorten Your Orthodontic Treatment with a Carriere Distalizer

Beyond what it can accomplish as part of you bite alignment treatment, this appliance can also significantly shorten your overall orthodontic treatment plan. It quickly and effectively pulls the lower teeth forward while pushing the upper teeth back. This portion of a patient’s orthodontic treatment will be complete as soon as the upper and lower teeth meet whenever the mouth is closed. For people who are reticent to commit to lengthy orthodontic treatments, this device can help expedite the structural changes that they’re ultimately seeking by establishing the proper foundation for a perfectly aligned smile.

How the Carriere Distalizer Works

During this treatment, a space maintainer is installed at the bottom teeth, while the Carriere Distalizer is positioned at the top. These two appliances are then connected with elastic bands to create tension. Over time, this tension will foster the necessary movement for creating the ideal bite. Once the bite has been improved, both appliances can be taken out and the patient can proceed with other orthodontic objectives. This is usually the time at which ceramic braces, metal braces, or clear plastic aligners are installed. Correcting the bite with this appliance can significantly increase the efficacy of any secondary orthodontic treatments. If you use braces to straighten your teeth without first improving and balancing your bite, your teeth will have a significantly higher likelihood of shifting back into their former positions shortly after your braces are removed.

Having a Carriere Distalizer Installed

At the start of this treatment, a durable anchor point will be created in the mouth. Once this is in place, the arm of the Carriere Distalizer will be securely attached to the top teeth, where it will be visible on both sides of the mouth throughout the entire treatment. The unit is also stably bonded to the canine tooth and an upper molar to prevent unwanted shifting after tension has been applied. Next, an elastic band will be connected to the upper bar of the appliance on each side. You will need to wear this band all of the time. The tension that it creates is necessary for ensuring a quick, seamless, and ultimately successful procedure. Depending upon how severe your alignment issues are, it may be possible for this unit to correct your bite within just a matter of months. After the arms of the Distalizer have been taken out, the orthodontist can install ceramic or metal braces, or you can proceed with a clear plastic aligner treatment.

What You Can Expect When Using This Device

As with many other appliances that are used for alignment correction, this device will gradually correct your bite by slowly forcing your teeth to migrate to new and more desirable positions. When compared to other orthodontic treatments, the Carriere Distalizer works fairly rapidly. Moreover, despite the visibility of the unit arms along the sides of the upper teeth, this process is a fairly discreet one. This is especially true when considering the all-too-conspicuous look of traditional headgear, which once served the exact same purpose but with far less comfort and convenience.

This has consistently proven to be one of the most reliable and successful options in treatment for malocclusion. Although the Carriere Distalizer may not work for all patients, it has a very high likelihood of producing fast and remarkable improvements in most cases. During your consultation appointment, the orthodontist can examine your bite and any other alignment issues you are currently experiencing. This way, a customized and truly needs-specific treatment plan can be created.

It is not uncommon for patients to experience some discomfort with this appliance as their teeth begin to move. This is much like the discomfort that is felt when wearing traditional braces or using plastic tooth alignment systems. If you develop a slight headache or any other localized pain, you can use a store-bought pain relieving agent as needed. If your appliances break, come loose from their anchors, or exhibit any other signs of damage, get in touch with the orthodontist right away.

How to Care for a Carriere Distalizer Once It’s Been Installed

Choosing to use the Carriere Distalizer for your orthodontic treatment is only one small part of creating a balanced and optimally health smile. It is also important to know how to care for this appliance, and how to protect your natural teeth from decay during treatment. One of the most important things for patients to do is to simply make sure that they are wearing their elastic bands all of the time. Wearing these components for just 20 hours per day or less can actually lengthen the duration of treatment and significantly diminish overall treatment outcomes.

Using this appliance is a great way for patients to get ready for the type and level of oral care that their traditional braces or plastic tooth aligners will eventually require. The teeth and the soft tissues within the mouth should be diligently cleaned several times per day, particularly after each meal. The orthodontist will share special strategies for cleaning at and around the appliance. This is necessary for preventing a build-up of decay-causing plaque on the canines and molars upon which the arms are installed. It is also important for patients to regularly change their elastic bands. This is something that should be done no less than four times per day. Patients are generally advised to change their bands once every four hours. You can stay on top of this maintenance by changing your bands when brushing your teeth following meals, in the morning, and at bedtime. You should also take care to remove your elastic bands while eating.

Just as with traditional braces, patients should avoid any incredibly sticky, chewy, or hard foods. These foods can damage or even break the Carriere Distalizer. Excessively chewy and sticky foods can additionally become stuck on or near the teeth where they’ll create the perfect conditions for odor and decay-causing bacteria. At the time of your treatment, you will be given a list of foods and activities to avoid while using the Carriere Distalizer by the orthodontist.

Are You a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

There are many different factors that can contribute to an imbalanced and uneven bite. Whether your teeth have erupted incorrectly or shifted forward as the consequence of unhealthy life habits, creating a balanced and properly aligned bite is important for preserving your smile aesthetics, and all of your natural tooth structures. It is no longer necessary to treat malocclusion with large, noticeable, and unattractive options in headgear. The Carriere Distalizer can help shift your top teeth backwards to a more favorable position, while encouraging the forward movement of your bottom teeth. Runnels Orthodontics is located in Destin, Inlet Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, and we proudly serve clients throughout Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Freeport, Miramar Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Panama City Beach, and Panama City. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!