Sagittal Appliance

Ensuring A Proper Bite

Grosso orthodontics sagittal appliance young girl smiling

At Grosso Orthodontics, your child’s oral health is our top priority. We believe early orthodontic treatment sets your child up for a lifetime of good oral health and also avoids more invasive, costly orthodontic treatment later in life. Dr. Lindsay Grosso is highly experienced and knowledgeable in treating children and uses the latest advancements in the field of orthodontics to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible while receiving high-quality care. If your child has a bad bite, also known as a malocclusion, we may recommend a sagittal appliance to help correct this issue. Learn more about sagittal appliances by reading below and request your appointment with Grosso Orthodontics today!

What is a Sagittal Appliance?

A sagittal appliance is a type of orthodontic treatment used in children to help fix their bite. This appliance is usually used prior to braces to help correct the bite. At Grosso Orthodontics, we use the removable option to correct an overbite by guiding the back molars into better alignment, especially in cases where the jaw is not positioned properly. By doing so, the sagittal appliance helps correct the bite and creates more room in the mouth to straighten the teeth.

How Does it Work?

Dr. Lindsay Grosso utilizes the sagittal appliance as an effective solution to correct bite issues. The appliance works by applying gentle pressure to the teeth and jaw to gradually move them into the desired positions. When worn as directed by Dr. Grosso, the device helps guide the upper teeth backward, creating space to straighten the front teeth and fix the overbite.

The appliance works best when worn full time except when eating, brushing and turning the screws. The length of treatment is tailored to each patient’s unique needs, especially in children whose jaws are still growing and developing but may last around 6 months depending on how well your child wears the appliance. Dr. Grosso carefully monitors their progress and will adjust the device as necessary to ensure optimal results.

Instructions For What To Do At Home

After Dr. Grosso has placed the appliance in your child’s mouth, parents will need to turn the screws in the device by using the key we have provided you with. Dr. Lindsay will instruct you how often to turn it. We recognize some parents may find this intimidating initially, but rest assured this process is simple and if you follow our instructions, you will have no problem at all.

  • Have the small key ready
  • Gently insert the key into the hole of the screws. It should fit snug to prevent any slipping during activation.
  • Turn the key towards the outside of the appliance, there are arrows on each screw indicating which way to turn them.
  • Check the device to make sure it is properly positioned and that the screws are not loose.
  • Repeat this process weekly, or as prescribed by Dr. Grosso to ensure your child stays on track of their treatment plan.
Lightforce braces

Frequently asked questions

Is each activation for the sagittal appliance painful for my child?

Your child’s mouth will probably feel a little sore after each activation, which is normal. Initially, they may have difficulty chewing or speaking but they will quickly adjust!

Yes, if comfortable for the child, he or she can wear the appliance when eating something small such as a snack. However, we encourage your child to remove their appliance during meals. If your child does eat with the appliance in, we recommend brushing after eating to make sure there is no food stuck in the appliance.

If you lose the key used to activate your child’s orthodontic device, please contact our office so we can get you a new one as soon as possible in order not to interrupt your child’s treatment plan. There is no cost for additional keys needed.

Just like you take care of your teeth and gums, your child’s oral device should be brushed and rinsed morning and night to ensure they maintain excellent oral health!

CUTTING-EDGE ORTHODONTIC CARE WITH GROSSO ORTHODONTICS

We can’t wait to meet you—so let’s get started with Invisalign®! We take pride in creating healthy smiles for everyone. No matter your age, if you’re ready to start your smile transformation, we have you covered!