Removable Braces: Which Type?
Removable braces include active plates, functional appliances, retainers, and clear aligners, each suited to a specific type of tooth movement.
The short answer
Removable orthodontic appliances include active plates, functional appliances, retainers, and clear aligners, each designed for a specific movement or stage.
How do removable orthodontic appliances work?
These appliances are made from combinations of acrylic, stainless steel wires, springs, screws, or clear thermoplastic and work only when their design and wear schedule suit the bite.
How should you look after a removable appliance?
Keep the appliance in its case when it is out, clean it as instructed, and never adjust a wire or screw without the orthodontic team’s plan.
When does a removable appliance need dental review?
Seek review if the appliance causes sores, no longer fits, cracks, or is lost, because an altered appliance may not move or hold teeth as intended.
What should you ask before choosing a removable appliance?
Ask which teeth or jaw relationship the appliance will address, how often it should be worn, how it is cleaned, and what happens if it is lost.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem improve without treatment?
That depends on the cause and the tissues involved; an examination distinguishes a temporary irritation from a condition needing treatment.
What will the dentist examine?
The dentist will inspect the relevant tooth, gums, bite, and nearby oral tissues, adding tests or imaging when the findings call for them.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.