Removable appliance

The removable appliance is usedmost frequently in the treatment of young patients. The purpose of the device is to make adjustments to minor instancesof malocclusion when the oral cavity still contains deciduous teeth. Although the decision when to remove the device belongs entirely to the patient, because it is not fixed permanently, it is worthremembering that in order for the appliance to function properly, it should be worn for as many hours a day as possible.

Before every orthodontic treatment at our surgery, a medical consultation and diagnostic tests take place. The orthodontist performs a thorough check on the patient’s teeth and subsequently takes their impression, which at a later stage will allow him to prepare the appliance. The device presses witha high degree of precision against selected areas of the jaw, positioning the teethexactly where they should be. The specialist determines at the same time the course of the entire treatment.

The removable device helps to correctmalocclusion in children and teenagers (usually,patients between 4 and12 years of age); it is the easiest to straighten the teeth of patients from this age bracket, as their bones are not yet fully developed and hardened. Straight teeth exert a profound influence on the self-confidence of young and adult patients. It is also important to note that with time it will become easier to look after the teeth that have been straightened; it is easier to take care of their hygiene as well as it is more straightforward for the specialist to treat them. As the device has to be worn daily, it requires self-discipline.The device ought to be carefully taken care of; the patient should remember to clean it on a daily basis.

Follow-up appointments are of enormous importance. Once the device is matched, thespecialist will advise the patient on how to look after the appliance, how often the follow-up appointments should take place, and the overall duration of the therapy. The frequency of the follow-up visits usually ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.

When working with older children and adult patients, we also employ CAD (Coordinated Arch Development) andorthotropicmethods; our focus is on beautiful appearance as well asproper functioning and development of the dental arches so as to avoid teeth extraction. The CAD method has been established by Dr. Raphael L. Greenfield D.D.S., M.Sc. from the USA, and it enables the development of dental arches in all dimensions. This in turn creates room for anexcellent expansion of thealveolarprocessbone base and allows avoiding teeth extraction.Consequently,a beautifully developed smile is retained. What is more, it has been proven that CAD Arch Development Methodsfacilitate greater stability of orthodontic treatment.GMD Mollar Dystalizer and lip bumperare removable appliances that we use most frequently in this area.

How much does it cost?

This kind of device consists of the same elements, whether it is to be used on the upper or lower teeth. How does it look then? Above all, it is an acrylic plate, which rests comfortably on the pallet and is connected with metal clamps, screws and springs. The clamps fix the device on the patient’s teeth, and the springs along with screws exert a precise amount of pressure on them, positioning the teeth in the correct spots. The patient can personalize the appliance by selecting its colour and, if need be, a sticker that will be submerged in the material the device is made of.