Hughes DMD, Timothy E

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If the main goal of the desired treatment is the repositioning of the teeth, most commonly a fixed, multibracket appliance is used. Dr. Hughes uses several different types of brackets including the new Damon appliance system. He will decide which appliance system is best suited to each individual patient during the treatment planning phase. With a fixed appliance system, orthodontic wires are inserted into the orthodontic brackets and auxillaries such as elastics and power chains are used to facilitate tooth movement. The brackets are usually made of stainless steel or a more esthetic ceramic material. Dr. Hughes also uses herbst appliances and palatal expanders to correct skeletal discrepancies in the jaw relationships of growing patients. In some cases minor tooth movement may be accomplished with removable type appliances such as invisalign appliances and spring aligner retainers. After a course of active orthodontic treatment, patients will often wear retainers, which will maintain the teeth in their improved position while the surrounding bone reforms around them. The retainers are generally worn full-time for a short period, perhaps 6 months to a year, and then worn periodically (typically nightly during sleep) for as long as the orthodontist recommends. It is possible for the teeth to stay aligned without regular retainer wear. However, there are many reasons teeth will crowd as a person ages; thus there is no guarantee that teeth, orthodontically treated or otherwise, will stay aligned without retention. For this reason, many orthodontists recommend periodic retainer wear for many years (or indefinitely) after orthodontic treatment.