Everything About Spacers (Orthodontic Separators) for Braces

Spacers are included as part of your braces treatment, so you don ??t need to worry about additional costs. The total cost of braces is about $1,700 to $6,000, depending on your specific case and where you seek treatment, and spacers are included in that price.

When the spacers are applied, you may feel some discomfort or pressure ?? this means the spacer is successfully creating the necessary space in your teeth for the braces. It may feel as if you have a piece of food wedged between your teeth.

Not everyone will need spacers: some people ??s teeth naturally have enough space between them to put on the metal bands, but most patients ?? teeth are naturally close together and will require spacers if metal bands are used for their treatment.

If your orthodontist is not going to use metal bands for your braces, you won ??t need spacers.  It depends on your specific case. Sometimes, the orthodontist will avoid using spacers and bands altogether. Invisalign treatments, for instance, do not require spacers.

The application process is simple: the orthodontist or an assistant will use a specialized instrument to install the spacer between two of your back teeth. This procedure occurs about 1-2 weeks before the bands are inserted.

During the insertion procedure for metal bands, the spacers are removed and the bands are inserted over the back molars. The braces brackets are bonded to the teeth, and the archwire is inserted into bands and brackets.

You will only get spacers for braces treatment. If you are straightening your teeth with Invisalign clear aligners, you will not need spacers, and there is no other dental reason to get spacers except for braces treatment.