Embracing a New Era
The lip bumper is a vital part of many orthodontic treatment plans for children and youth. In basic terms, the appliance is a wire partially coated in plastic. The lip bumper is hooked onto a molar at each end, and the wire lines the front side of the lower teeth. By stretching or widening the arch of the lower jaw, the lip bumper creates more space in the mouth for the permanent adult teeth to erupt. Use of the lip bumper to create necessary space is preferred to the extraction of teeth.
The lip bumper is primarily used in cases of mixed dentition, meaning that the child has both primary (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth in the mouth. Often, the best time for use of the lip bumper is when the permanent molars first erupt, and the primary molars are still present in the mouth. A lip bumper is less often indicated in adults.
At first, the appliance ties in place and removing it will not be possible. In time, our GOS experts may untie the bumper and allow it to be removed when brushing and flossing the teeth. Sometimes, you will need to wear the bumper at nights only. This helps to maintain the correction that you gain during a full course of treatment. In this way, the lip bumper functions as a retainer, the appliance worn by the orthodontic patient for some period of time after braces come off.
Dentists use bands to hold the lip bumper appliance in the patient’s mouth. These bands are made from stainless steel, and they appear like rings that fit around the teeth in a particular way. Small elastic bands then help to hold the wires in the right place. A single, stainless steel wire lines the front side of the lower teeth from the first lower left molar to the right lower first molar. This is where the wires then fit in the band tubes. In the lower wire, dentists then incorporate two loops, which they activate to make the appliance accomplish movement in the mouth. A small acrylic shield goes around the wire along the lower front teeth. The shield is put in place to prevent any form of injuries to the lips and gums.
The dental lip bumper causes several positive results in the mouth. It allows the tongue to gently press against the lower teeth and creates more space for the permanent molars. The lip bumper also keeps the cheeks and lower lip from exerting too much pressure on the teeth, which can lead to crowding. The appliance also pushes the patient's lower molars back to make room for permanent teeth.
At first, the bumper may feel strange when you have it on your lower lip. In the beginning, your lips may swell or plump out a little. As time progresses, your teeth will then move back and your lips will then flatten out. Following an adjustment, the teeth at the back with the bands may become tender and sore for a few days. When the doctor ties or cements the bands to keep the bumper in, food will lodge between the lower teeth, gums, and the bumper. Later in treatment, the lip bumper may be adjusted so that it is removable during eating, brushing and flossing.
Often, a lip bumper remains in the mouth of the child for at least a year, though periodic adjustments will be made during that time. To ensure the best results from the appliance, it is crucial to take proper care of it. Depending on the circumstance, lip bumpers may be fixed or removable. If the device is removable, it is necessary to wear it 24 hours per day, except when eating, flossing and brushing.
To learn more about how to use lip bumpers in the broader field of orthodontic techniques and mechanics, browse our website at www.orthodonticteaching.com . Gerety Orthodontic Seminars is a proven leader in continuing dental education, with more than 12,000 satisfied and successful students who have completed our programs. For further information, please contact us at GOS and we will be more than happy to help you enroll in the program that is best for you.