Removable Appliances

A removable appliance is made from a plastic plate with delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure. Removable appliances can be used to make simple movements such as helping to correct a tooth that is trapped behind the bite (i.e. in a ‘crossbite’) or widening the arch. They are also used for young patients who are not yet ready for a comprehensive correction but need some early intervention to prevent other problems developing over time. They are not precision appliances and therefore cannot be used for complicated tooth movements.

For a removable appliance to be effective, it must be worn all the time except when playing sports and for cleaning. They must be stored in a safe place e.g. a hard plastic box when not being worn. The mouth also tends to produce more saliva than usual when the removable appliance is in situ because the brain interprets the presence of the appliance as food; this reaction tends to go after a few days.