Pendulum without palatal expander
The pendulum appliance is designed to correct front to back dental discrepancies where the lower teeth are behind the upper teeth (overbite). In the past, this type of correction was achieved using headgear. Today, the pendulum appliance makes this type of correction easier and more comfortable with superior treatment results. The legs of the pendulum appliance will push the upper molars back into an overcorrected position. This process will take place in approximately six months.
After the pendulum appliance is removed, a Nance holding arch will be placed to maintian the new position of the upper molars and to allow the remaining upper teeth to drift into the corrected position. This appliance will be worn until all the permanent teeth erupt. Then it will be time to start your braces to finish the dental correction.
Pendulum with palatal expander
This appliance is used to first widen the upper jaw to create space for the dental correction. This appliance will be turned once a day for a prescribed number of turns. During this expansion, a gap will open between the two front teeth, but this gap will close by itself after the expansion is completed. Next, the legs of the pendulum appliance will push the upper molars back into an overcorrected position. This process will take place in approximately six months.
After the pendulum appliance is removed, a Nance holding arch will be placed to maintian the new position of the upper molars and to allow the remaining upper teeth to drift into the corrected position. This appliance will be worn until all the permanent teeth erupt. Then it will be time to start your braces to finish the dental correction.