Most people have heard of braces and Invisalign. Fewer people have heard of the appliance that can make both of those treatments shorter, more predictable, and in many cases unnecessary to start with full hardware. The Carriere Motion Appliance in Brooklyn at Hanson Place Orthodontics is a specialized bite correction tool used at the very beginning of treatment to fix Class II and Class III bite problems before braces or aligners are placed. The result: a simpler, faster overall treatment course and in many cases a better final outcome than jumping straight to braces or aligners alone.
What Is the Carriere Motion Appliance?
The Carriere Motion Appliance is a low-profile orthodontic device introduced in 2004 by Dr. Luis Carriere. It consists of two small rigid bars bonded to the upper canines and first molars on each side of the mouth. Worn with elastics, it applies gentle, continuous force to move the upper back teeth backward and into a Class I (neutral) bite relationship. The lower arch wears a fixed lower retainer during this phase to provide anchorage.
The philosophy behind it is called Sagittal First: correct the bite relationship at the start of treatment, when there are no competing forces from brackets or aligner trays, and when patient compliance tends to be at its highest. Once the bite is corrected, braces or Invisalign finalize the tooth positions with significantly less complexity remaining to address.
What Does the Carriere Motion Appliance Treat?
| Condition | What It Means | How CMA Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Class II malocclusion | Upper teeth sit too far forward relative to the lower | Moves upper back teeth backward to establish Class I relationship |
| Overjet (buck teeth) | Upper front teeth protrude significantly | Bite correction reduces overjet before alignment begins |
| Deep overbite | Upper front teeth excessively overlap lower front teeth | Posterior correction creates better vertical relationship |
| Class III malocclusion | Lower jaw extends forward relative to upper | Class III version guides lower back teeth into neutral position |
| Complex bite + crowding | Both bite and alignment issues present | Corrects bite first, dramatically simplifies the alignment phase |
Carriere Motion Appliance Before and After: What Changes?
The Carriere Motion Appliance before and after transformation is most visible in the bite. Before treatment, patients with Class II malocclusion typically show the upper teeth sitting one full tooth width forward of where they should be relative to the lower teeth. After the Carriere phase, that relationship is corrected to Class I, meaning the upper and lower back teeth are properly aligned front to back.
What patients notice first is that their profile changes. The impression of protruding upper teeth diminishes. The jaw appears more balanced. This happens before a single bracket is placed. By the time braces or Invisalign begin, the bite is already in the right position and treatment focuses entirely on alignment rather than trying to accomplish both at once.
How the Treatment Works Step by Step
- Consultation and records. The orthodontist evaluates your bite using X-rays, digital scans, and photographs to confirm whether a Class II or Class III correction is needed and whether the Carriere Motion Appliance is the right approach for your case.
- Bonding the appliance. The two rigid bars are bonded to your upper canines and first molars in a single appointment. A lower fixed retainer or lower sectional appliance is placed at the same time to serve as the anchorage base for the elastics.
- Elastic wear. You wear elastics connecting the Carriere bars on the upper arch to the lower retainer. These are worn full time (20 to 22 hours per day, removed only for eating and brushing). The elastics do the work of moving the bite into the correct position over approximately 3 to 6 months.
- Bite confirmed. Once the bite has been corrected to a Class I relationship, the orthodontist removes the Carriere bars. X-rays and digital records are taken to confirm the correction is complete.
- Braces or Invisalign placed. Full braces or Invisalign are now placed to complete the tooth alignment phase. Because the bite is already corrected, this phase is simpler and typically faster than it would have been otherwise.
- Retention. Retainers are fitted at the end of the full treatment to maintain both the bite correction and the tooth alignment permanently.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Carriere Motion Appliance in Brooklyn?
- Children and teens with Class II or Class III bites: The appliance is most commonly used in adolescent patients whose jaw growth is still active, which can enhance the bite correction effect. That said, it is effective in adults too.
- Patients who want to avoid extractions: The Carriere Motion Appliance is a non-extraction approach. By correcting the bite position early, it eliminates the need to remove teeth to create space in many cases.
- Patients with overbite or overjet: Significant upper front tooth protrusion or deep bite are classic indicators that a Carriere phase would benefit the overall treatment plan.
- Patients starting braces or Invisalign with a bite issue: If your treatment plan includes either system and a bite correction is needed, the Carriere phase first means shorter time in full appliances.
- Patients who want to avoid headgear or surgery: The Carriere Motion Appliance provides bite correction through a low-profile, non-surgical, non-headgear approach that patients tolerate significantly better.
Meet the Team at Hanson Place Orthodontics
The Carriere Motion Appliance requires precise treatment planning and clinical expertise to use effectively. Hanson Place Orthodontics has a team of trained specialists who evaluate each patient’s bite individually and determine whether the Carriere phase is the right starting point.
Dr. Yakov Eisenberger earned his DDS from NYU College of Dentistry and his MS in Orthodontics from Temple University. He is SureSmile certified with over 15 years of experience and a specialty in personalized, technology-driven treatment planning.
Dr. Rahul Gulati is a Brooklyn native who earned his DDS from NYU College of Dentistry as valedictorian of his graduating class. He brings a precise, patient-centered approach to both bite correction and comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Arthur Kammerman earned his DDS from Indiana University with High Distinction and his Specialty in Orthodontics from the University of Maryland. He is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Damon System clinician since 2005 with decades of experience treating complex bite cases.
What Does It Cost and Does Insurance Cover It?
The cost of Carriere Motion Appliance treatment in Brooklyn varies based on the complexity of the bite correction needed and whether it is part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Most orthodontic insurance plans that cover comprehensive treatment cover the Carriere phase as part of the overall case. For patients without orthodontic insurance, Hanson Place Orthodontics offers flexible payment options. Full details are available on the insurance and financial information pages.
What Patients Say
Office Location and Hours
Address: 1 Hanson Pl #702, floor 7, Brooklyn, NY 11243
Phone: (718) 622-2695
Clinic Hours: Monday to Thursday- 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Friday- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Saturday- By appointment
Located steps from the Atlantic Terminal transit hub, accessible by B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains and the LIRR.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Carriere Motion Appliance in Brooklyn
What is the Carriere Motion Appliance used for?
The Carriere Motion Appliance in Brooklyn is used to correct Class II and Class III bite problems at the very beginning of orthodontic treatment. It moves the upper back teeth into proper alignment with the lower teeth before braces or Invisalign are placed, simplifying and shortening the overall treatment.
How long does the Carriere Motion Appliance phase take?
The Carriere bite correction phase typically takes 3 to 6 months depending on the severity of the bite issue. After the bite is corrected, comprehensive braces or Invisalign begins. Total treatment including both phases is often shorter than starting with braces or Invisalign alone for bite correction cases.
Does the Carriere Motion Appliance hurt?
Most patients experience some soreness for a few days after the appliance is bonded and after elastic changes, similar to the adjustment period with braces. The appliance is low-profile and most patients adapt within a week. It is significantly more comfortable than traditional Class II correction methods like headgear.
What does the Carriere Motion Appliance look like before and after treatment?
The Carriere Motion Appliance before and after changes are most visible in the bite profile. Before treatment, the upper back teeth sit one full tooth width forward of the lower. After the Carriere phase, the bite is corrected to a neutral Class I relationship. Patients and parents often notice a visible improvement in the facial profile before braces or Invisalign even begin.
Can adults get the Carriere Motion Appliance?
Yes. While the appliance is commonly used in teens whose jaw growth is still active, adults with Class II or Class III bite issues can benefit from it as well. The bite correction may take slightly longer in adults due to denser bone, but the outcome and the advantage of simplifying the subsequent alignment phase remain the same.
Is the Carriere Motion Appliance covered by insurance?
Most orthodontic insurance plans that cover comprehensive treatment include the Carriere Motion Appliance as part of the overall treatment plan. The Hanson Place Orthodontics team reviews your specific coverage at your consultation and provides a full cost and insurance breakdown before any treatment begins.
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