Space Maintainers
 The Lingual Arch is a wire that is attached to bands placed on your back molars that follows the backs of your teeth (by your tongue). This appliance is glued to your molars and is not removable. This wire may also be called a space maintainer. A lingual Arch is used on the lower teeth. The purpose of this wire is to hold back your first permanent molars while the baby molars are lost. If premature loss of the baby molars occurs, the first permanent molars drift forward toward the front of the mouth which can block out and crowd the permanent bicuspids and cuspids from coming in correctly. This appliance usually remains in until the permanent bicuspids erupt.
 The purpose of the Lip Bumper is to hold your lower molars back while allowing your lower front teeth to move forward. This occurs because the bumper keeps the lower lip off of the lower front teeth, and at the same time puts a force on the back teeth to prevent them from coming forward. It is also very effective at correcting “lip habits”. The Lip Bumper should be worn 24 hours a day and should not interfere with normal movement, talking, eating or brushing. If the bar slips out of the molar tubes, reinsert gently one side at a time making sure that the bumps are facing down towards the gums. The Lip Bumper has rubber tubing for your comfort. Be sure to brush the Lip Bumper thoroughly every time you brush as food can get caught underneath it. Make sure that you bring it to every appointment.
 The Nance Appliance consists of wire that is attached to bands placed on your back molars that extends into a button of acrylic/plastic along the roof of the mouth. This appliance is glued to your molars and is not removable. A Nance Appliance is used on the upper arch. The purpose of this wire is to hold back your first permanent molars while the baby molars are lost. If premature loss of the baby molars occurs, the first permanent molars drift forward toward the front of the mouth which can block out and crowd the permanent bicuspids and cuspids from coming in correctly. This appliance usually remains in the mouth until the permanent bicuspids and cuspids are erupted.
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