Orthodontics
Removable or fixed orthodontic appliances
Removable orthodontic appliances
Removable orthodontic appliances are used for moderate to severe dental misalignment. Depending on the severity, the ideal age for treatment is 7-10 years. Reasons for removable orthodontic appliances may include the following:
- Dental crowding caused by a too-narrow upper and/or lower jaw
- Misalignment due to the lower jaw being too far behind the upper jaw (overbite) or too far forward (underbite)
- An upper jaw narrower than the lower jaw
Removable braces are worn to treat misalignment of the teeth and/or jaw early, for a positive impact on jaw growth.
Fixed orthodontic appliances
These are likewise used for moderate to severe misalignment of teeth.
If there is sufficient space in the jaw, treatment with a fixed (multi-bracketed) appliance is all that is needed. Orthodontic treatment alone corrects misaligned teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw.
In many cases, combining removable and fixed orthodontic appliances is necessary and the sensible path to take.