Braces

Expanders and Spacers

Expanders

Expanders are used to widen your upper jaw to create more space for your teeth and allow for a broader smile. Expanders are only used in certain types of cases and may be necessary to create more room for your teeth to shift and align into the correct position.

Spacers

Spacers—also known as separators—are small, doughnut-shaped, rubber pieces that may be used to gently push adjacent teeth apart from each other to better facilitate orthodontic treatment. They are usually placed between your teeth to make room for orthodontic bands (rings around the teeth). At the time of band placement, Dr. Johnson will remove the spacers before placing the bands.