Options for Orthodontic Treatment & Braces from San Diego Orthodontist Dr. Hulsey

Insignia Braces

Insignia is a state-of-the-art system that has been 15 years in fruition. It consists of taking exact impressions of the teeth and scanning them into a computer.  After measuring x-rays, the teeth are then placed in the optimum position for that patient. The teeth are then evaluated and measured to determine the exact positions and shape of the Damon braces to move them into their ideal position. Damon braces are then manufactured to the exact prescription to attain the ideal result for each patient.  Wires are then bent and shaped for each patient which also helps achieve the ideal result.  Templates are made to position the braces in the exact desired position in the patient's mouth.

Regular brace systems use average prescription numbers. Using Insignia allows Dr. Hulsey to measure individual variations in people's teeth. The results with the Insignia system are more accurate and orthodontic treatment is faster with fewer appointments.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are dental braces which are ligatureless and frictionless.  Because they greatly reduce the force on the teeth, they are desired for more difficult and complex cases which require more tooth movement.  Hygiene is improved with Damon braces because they are ligatureless.  They are usually bonded to the teeth individually and come in standardized sizes.   The Insignia System is the ideal evolution of this technique.

Axis Braces

Coming soon...

Edgewise Braces

Edgewise braces are the standard railroad tracks or twin braces. They provide optimum ability for moving a tooth but the results are slower than that with Damon braces and some movements cannot be accomplished with Edgewise braces.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are invisible braces on the inside of the teeth. Dr. Hulsey prefers Lingual braces to the Invisalign appliance because of speed, accuracy, cost and convenience for the patient.

Dr. Hulsey uses the following 3 types of Lingual braces:

• I-braces (a very expensive gold custom appliance from Germany)
• Adenta Evolution self ligating Lingual braces
• GAC Lingual self ligating braces

Herbst Appliance

A Herbst appliance is a glued-in orthopedic appliance. It is used to correct lower jaw retrusion.

MARA Appliance

A MARA appliance is an orthopedic appliance used to correct lower jaw retrusion. It is less visible than a Herbst appliance, but also less adjustable which can make it inappropriate for severe cases of jaw retrusion.

TADs

TADs are very small implant screws which are used as temporary anchor devices to facilitate certain orthodontic movements.

Rapid Maxillary Expander or RPE

A rapid maxillary expander is used to widen the upper dental arch. The arch has a suture at the middle which lends itself to expansion provided the patient is a child not much beyond maturity. A rapid maxillary expander commonly has a turn key which the parent turns. In adults, a surgical suture release procedure is done to acquire expansion.

M2M Appliance

A M2M appliance is a Herbst type of appliance which uses a smaller framework.

Forsus Appliance

A Forsus appliance is a spring device used to propel the lower teeth forward and the upper teeth backward. A Forsus appliance is typically used when a patient is non-cooperative with elastics.

Invisalign Aligner

A clear Invisalign retainer is an aligner appliance constructed after the teeth are moved with a CAD computer system. An Invisalign aligner usually does not produce the same quality of results as compared to fixed orthodontic appliances. However, public demand and extensive marketing has resulted in its widespread use. I have found that many patients are disappointed with the results obtained from Invisalign considering the time and effort involved.

Adjustable Retainers

Adjustable retainers are used mainly to hold teeth and tip teeth that are slightly out of line. An adjustable retainer is a limited orthodontic treatment device.