Appliance (Brace) Options

Removable Appliances

Removable braces are also referred to as plates. Plates are made from plastic, wires and screws. Plates are limited in the type of tooth movements that can be achieved. These appliances are used selectively for specific and usually younger patients. They are commonly used over shorter treatment periods (2 – 8 months) and come in the colour of your choice. Removable appliances make it more challenging to speak. Plates can be removed for eating and brushing but, for them to work well, 22 hours of daily wear is usually required.
The links page has more information available (https://www.bos.org.uk/Search/Search/removable)

Functional Appliances

Functional Appliances are used to correct your bite. They can either be attached to your fixed braces (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CC3-Qz6q3M – fig a) or be removable (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcNedhms0TE– fig b) in design.

Treatment with functional appliances takes approximately 12 months to complete. These type of appliances uses muscle force to obtain the desired changes to your teeth and jaw bones. They are preferred for growing patients and good compliance is essential to obtain a good outcome.

The links page has more information available ( https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Orthodontics-for-Children-Teens)

Conventional Fixed Appliances

Fixed appliances are most commonly used (train-tracks) and can achieve 3D tooth movements. Fixed appliances are made from metal alloys and are a popular choice with younger patients.
Patient can choose from a variety of colour options. Small coloured rubber bands are used to fix the arch wire to the metal brackets. The rubber bands are changed frequently providing the patient the opportunity to select new colours.
Fixed appliances are cost effective and deliver the highest quality result over the shortest possible time. The little metal brackets (blocks) are fixed(glued) to the teeth and cannot be removed during your treatment. A high standard of oral care is required and patients should avoid hard or sticky food types. Fixed appliance treatment usually takes between 18 – 24 months to complete.

Ceramic fixed appliances (tooth coloured brackets) are made from clear material. They “blend in” with the teeth and are less noticeable than metal. These are the type of braces actor Tom Cruise had. They are an optional and popular choice with adult patients that prefer an aesthetic treatment option without compromise in the result/outcome.
They are very strong and generally do not stain. The ligatures (tiny rubber bands) that hold the arch wire on to the ceramic brackets are often white or clear. This looks great at first, but the ligatures can stain. Unless you eat a lot of curry, smoke, or drink a lot of black coffee, this generally isn’t a problem. Note that the ligatures are changed each time you get an adjustment — usually, monthly. It’s only the ligatures that stain, not the brackets themselves!

The links page has more information available (https://www.bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Orthodontics-for-Children-Teens/Treatment-brace-types/Fixed-appliances ).