Types of  
  Appliances  
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FIXED APPLIANCES

These are the most useful of all the appliance types. This style of brace can control tooth movement in all 3 dimensions, producing superior results. Each tooth to be aligned has a bracket cemented to the enamel surface. Flexible wires are placed into the slots on the brackets and the teeth are gradually pulled into good alignment. As the teeth move towards the correct position the wires are changed for steadily stiffer ones that produce a better and better arrangement. Brackets come in two main groups, "metal" (usually a stainless steel) and "aesthetic" (pictured) (either a ceramic material or glass reinforced plastic). The less visible aesthetic type, particularly popular with adults, are harder to use and cost much more to manufacture. They are only available on private contracts. Variety is offered with Fixed appliances through coloured elastics, gold braces and headgear.

REMOVABLE APPLIANCES



These braces are made of a plastic base and wire clips and springs. They are of limited use because they are only able to tip teeth, producing variable results. They are often used as an initial stage prior to comprehensive treatment with fixed braces. They can also be used for minor irregularity of the teeth or the bite. Removable appliances commonly take the form of a retainer and a removable plate.

FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES

This class of braces come in a large variety of designs that all utilise the same fundamental principle. By causing the lower jaw to posture forward, they stretch the big elastic muscles around the face and jaws. The recoil forces that are set up are transmitted to the teeth by the brace causing the teeth in both jaws to move towards each other. They are generally used in patients who have prominent upper teeth partly due to a set back lower jaw. They are especially useful during the rapid growth of early teenage years. Although they work extremely well they rely on very good co-operation from patients. Again they are usually supplemented by a second phase of treatment with fixed braces.

LINGUAL / INVISIBLE APPLIANCES


With Lingual Orthodontics you can straighten your teeth with braces that are not visible. The reason for this is because they are placed on the inner surface of your teeth, inside the mouth where they cannot be seen (unlike conventional braces that are placed on the outer surface of your teeth).

Click HERE to view Lingual Casework Videos

INVISALIGN APPLIANCES

Invisalign is a revolutionary system for straightening crooked teeth and closing gaps between teeth in many cases can replace the need for traditional metal-wire braces that have long been used in traditional orthodontic practice. The system utilises the latest in computerised technology and three dimensional modelling to generate a series of clear, see-through aligners or “clear braces”. They are virtually un-noticeable when you are wearing them and are often referred to by many patients as “Invisible Braces”. The Clear aligners are specially fabricated to fit your teeth exactly and over time they slowly move your teeth into a position that gives you a natural looking straight smile.