Forsus™

If you or your child suffer from bite problems, your orthodontist may recommend Forsus Springs to fix them. Forsus appliance helps to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery. Combined with braces, it offers the functionality and the ease needed to achieve the smile you have always longed for. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gibbs to learn about Forsus Springs and how this appliance can help you get an ideal bite without sacrificing comfort and convenience. He understands your reasons for seeking the best treatment and works with you to ensure you get the best care for your orthodontic issues. He comes up with high-quality, personalized treatment options to help you look and feel better with properly aligned jaws.

Forsus Springs are specifically designed to help move your teeth to the orthodontics recommended position. They are a possible solution usually used for correcting Class II malocclusions. They encourage forward alignment of the lower teeth and backward movement of the upper teeth to fix the overbite problem.

When used with braces, Forsus Springs reduces the need for extensive measures such as extraction and the use of elastics and headgear. They work quicker than rubber bands and are more comfortable to wear than bulky headgear. They also prevent jaw surgery in the future by taking care of your orthodontic problems timely.

What are Forsus Springs?

Forsus Springs is an orthodontic appliance used with orthodontics treatment, particularly braces, to fix overbites. They are a long-term appliance placed after you have been wearing braces for about 8 to 12 months.

Forsus Springs are easy to install but require patient cooperation to work as they can be a bit of a challenge. The good thing about wearing them is that they work all the time, so the patients don’t need to remember to wear rubber bands or headgear. The constant force applied by the appliance means it continues to work without you having to do anything. They remain in the mouth for 4 to 6 months or until they have corrected the bite and aligned the teeth. The orthodontist will take them out when they have done their job.

There are a few different types of Forsus Springs, but generally, all of these appliances have certain key features:

• A spring that is attached to the upper teeth, near the back molars.
• A push rod that telescopes with the spring device and pushes on the bottom teeth near the lower canine. One portion of the appliance slides into the other portion and becomes smaller, just like a retractable telescope.

What are Forsus Springs Used For?

Forsus Springs can fix overbites in children as well as adults. Overbite is a condition in which the top teeth stick out too far compared to the lower lap. The spring pushes the bottom teeth forward and the top teeth back to correct the bite.

Forsus Springs are usually used by orthodontists in the following cases:

• If you are facing problems in wearing rubber bands or orthodontic elastics for extra support consistently and need a permanent solution
• If you have a large overbite that cannot be corrected by wearing orthodontic elastics alone
• If your orthodontist wants to avoid extraction of permanent teeth or a headgear appliance to correct the overbite

It is essential to understand there are many different types of overbite, and your orthodontist may recommend various treatment options or even a combination of treatment options for best results. Only having an overbite is not the reason for getting Forsus Springs. The orthodontist will evaluate your jaw alignment and extent of overbite to determine if it is the best option for you.

How are Forsus Springs Installed?

Forsus Springs does not take long to install, and the process is not painful. It is a relatively simple, routine procedure that only causes a little discomfort. If your orthodontist has decided that Forsus Springs is the right choice, he will place the springs on the archwire and connect the push rods.

When the Forsus Springs is installed, the orthodontist or technician will check if the appliance fits your mouth or teeth accurately. It is to ensure the appliance accommodates the teeth and does not become uncomfortable. This process takes a bit longer than the standard orthodontist appointment, and patients do not report any pain during the procedure.

Pros and Cons of Forsus Springs

Like any other orthodontic treatment, there are pros and cons to Forsus Springs too. Here are some pros and cons you should be aware of before going for them.

Pros of Forsus Springs

• They help to correct overbites effectively.
• They do not require any effort or cooperation from the wearer to manage them. Once they are placed, they will stay there until you are ready to remove them.
• They help to prevent the extraction of permanent teeth.
• They eliminate the need to wear headgear for fixing overbites.
• They are hidden inside the check and almost undetectable
• They allow normal mouth movements and are well tolerated by patients.
  They are tough and rarely break.
• It cannot be removed by the wearer, so there is no chance of misplacing or forgetting to wear it.
• It is made out of nickel-titanium and provides a constant, non-decaying force.

Cons of Forsus Springs

• There will be some discomfort during the initial days after it is attached.
• Eating with these springs is a challenge during the first couple of weeks as it takes some time to get used to it.
• It often irritates the cheek, especially in the settling phase, as it is a new addition to the mouth and braces are already there.
• It can interfere with mouth guards that are used for sports and may not be the best choice for certain types of athletes.
• There are few undesirable side effects.

To reap the benefits of Forsus Springs and complete your orthodontic treatment successfully, you must work with an orthodontist and follow the provided instructions. The teeth and jaws can only move towards their correct position if you use the appliance as prescribed.

How Are Forsus Springs Cleaned?

Forsus Springs require a little more cleaning than regular braces due to their design and function. They have some small parts that create extra pockets, and food particles get stuck in them.

Here are a few steps for keeping the Forsus Springs clean:

• Thorough and regular brushing – A toothbrush is, without any doubt, the best tool for keeping the Forsus Springs clean. Scrub the teeth, as well as the springs, thoroughly to remove any food particles. After you have brushed, take a close look at the appliance to see if anything is stuck between the teeth or the spring.
• Floss the teeth connected to the appliance – Make an effort to floss carefully between the teeth to which the appliance is connected. It may feel awkward at first trying to clean with the different types of devices, but with a little time and practice, you will learn to floss around these teeth effectively.
• Use Waterpik to clean around the appliance – A Waterpik is perhaps the most effective tool to clean around any hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, especially between the teeth. The Waterpik is as good as floss when it comes to cleaning the gums. If you are going to be wearing Forsus Springs for several months or a year, a Waterpik is a good investment that will help prevent dental decay and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Consult your orthodontist if you have questions about brushing, flossing, and using Waterpik to clean your teeth while wearing these special appliances. The appliance is designed to withstand regular intraoral forces and constant use. At the same time, like other orthodontic appliances, it can get damaged or break if you are not careful.

Complications with Forsus Springs?

Sometimes complications may occur with Forsus Springs. They include:
One of the brackets near the appliance can become loose
The push rod becomes disengaged from the spring if you open a wide mouth
Your cheeks begin to feel sore due to the constant pressure

The good thing is that these complications are not a big deal, and can be taken care of very easily. Here are the most common solutions for resolving these complications.

• Solution # 1 – In case one of the brackets on the top or bottom teeth becomes loose while you are wearing Forsus Springs, it is best to call your orthodontist without wasting it can be easily fixed by the expert.
• Solution # 2 – If you open your mouth too wide and the push rod comes out of the telescope spring, you can try to put it back at home. Simply open the mouth wide, compress the spring, and slide or place the push rod back into the telescoping spring. If you cannot fix it right or fear that you will further damage the appliance, it is best to call your orthodontist and schedule an appointment.
• Solution # 3 – If you are developing sore cheeks from wearing Forsus Springs that do not seem to be healing or getting better, your orthodontist may recommend dry angles. Placing these dry, triangle pieces of cotton can help your cheeks recover from the discomfort, and you will start feeling better.

The discomfort or soreness resulting from the appliance goes away after some time and with a little care. If any piece of the Forsus Springs completely loosens from the braces, keep all of them safe and call your orthodontist clinic to schedule an appointment for repair.

What Happens When the Forsus Springs Are Removed?

When the Forsus Springs are taken off, and the overbite is fixed, it is when the finishing stage begins. At this stage, your orthodontist will make any final adjustments or details needed to get your teeth and bite into the correct position.

The finishing stage could take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on the patient’s orthodontic condition and progress made with the braces and Forsus Springs.

Visit Dr. Gibbs if you are already wearing braces and want to learn how Forsus Springs can benefit your treatment and result in quicker alignment of your teeth. Do not let overbite or other misalignment issues prevent you from enjoying a healthier and happier life and a dazzling smile. Dr. Gibbs is an experienced and board-certified orthodontist and understands how an overbite could affect your oral hygiene as well as appearance. He will create a treatment plan with Forsus Springs to help you achieve an ideal bite without tooth extraction or any other invasive procedure. As they work perfectly well with braces and wires, you can look forward to successful outcomes by the time they are taken off.