Orthodontic treatment with removable braces and other appliances

Straightening your teeth with braces or other fixed appliances has long been the most popular orthodontic option, but that’s changing. These days, many people are opting to align their teeth with removable orthodontic appliances instead of traditional braces due to their practicality and discreteness. Orthodontic treatment with removable aligners is also just as effective as with braces, so for a lot of patients, the choice is a no-brainer. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know before deciding if removable orthodontic appliances are right for you.

What are removable orthodontic appliances?

Let’s start with the basics: what are removable orthodontic appliances? When you hear the term “removable orthodontic appliance” what it’s referencing is most commonly an aligner. Teeth aligners are one of the only orthodontic appliances that are removable and not fixed, like braces. So if you ever hear someone talking about “removable braces” what they’re actually talking about are aligners.

Choosing an orthodontic treatment that is removable offers patients more freedom, more comfort and better hygiene since they’re able to be taken out.

Types of removable orthodontic appliances

After learning what a removable orthodontic appliance is, it’s best to next look at the different types.

A lot of people don’t know that there is actually more than one type of removable orthodontic appliance. They can be split into the following two groups:

• Passive devices. These are used at the end of treatment to maintain all the movements that have been made throughout treatment. Their purpose is to stop the teeth from becoming misaligned again. They’re also known as removable orthodontic retainers, and they don’t perform any action, they only keep the teeth in position.
• Activate appliances. Then on the other hand, we have active appliances, like removable aligners, that exert pressure to make the teeth move into their correct position. These are the removable teeth aligners we mentioned earlier and other appliances, they come in many sets to make continuous movements.
  

Who can use removable orthodontic appliances?

Luckily, most people who need orthodontic treatment can opt for removable appliances.

They are highly-effective at solving many dental problems and can treat both the simplest to the most complex cases. They are a great option for kids and adults alike.

Removable orthodontic appliances for kids

When it comes to getting orthodontic treatment for your kids, removable braces and other orthodontic appliances are also a great option to fix overbite, gaps, and other dental problems. Just remember that you’ll have to teach them how to wear the removable teeth aligners correctly and make sure they keep them in as long as possible, only taking them out for eating and brushing.

Most adults prefer removable braces or other orthodontic appliances to straighten their teeth, because they allow more freedom and are also much more aesthetically pleasing. Even though you’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, you can still remove them for important events, such as a wedding. But remember that in order to complete the treatment in the expected amount of time, adults will need to wear their removable braces or other orthodontic appliances as much as possible.

Can removable braces and other orthodontic appliances treat overbite and gaps?

If you’re hoping to treat overbite or gaps with removable braces and other orthodontic appliances, you’re in luck. Removable orthodontic appliances are used to treat many dental and malocclusion problems. A few of the problems that can be treated with removable braces or other orthodontic appliances are overbite, gaps, teeth crowding due to lack of space, open occlusion, overjet, deep malocclusion, or posterior crossbite.

On top of issues like overbite and gaps, removable braces or other orthodontic appliances can also help to treat many pathologies and diseases. When you visit your orthodontist for the first time, they should tell you whether or not your case can be treated with removable appliances.

What are the pros and cons of removable orthodontic appliances?

Before you decide on treatment with removable orthodontics, you should be aware there are some pros and cons - just like with any other treatment option. So, let’s check out the advantages and disadvantages of choosing this type of treatment with removable orthodontic appliances:

Pros of removable orthodontic appliances

The reality is removable orthodontics offer several advantages over fixed appliances, that’s why so many people are choosing them. To start, they are more comfortable, also, as we’ve mentioned, you can take them out for important events, but perhaps more importantly, for eating and brushing your teeth. Plus, you won’t have to worry about avoiding hard foods or dyes, since there are no dietary restrictions.

Removable teeth braces or other orthodontic appliances are also aesthetically pleasing, making the treatment invisible from the outside. And lastly, they require less time than traditional braces to properly align the teeth.

Cons of removable orthodontic appliances

Just as the name implies, removable aligners can be easily removed, which is both a pro and a con. It means it’s possible to lose them or be tempted to go a day without using them. We recommend that you carefully follow your orthodontist’s instructions and that you stay motivated and disciplined in wearing them for 22 hours a day. This way it’ll ensure the process is effective and everything goes according to plan. In your Kit you will find a case to store the aligners at mealtimes to prevent them from getting lost or broken.

Removable vs fixed orthodontic appliances

When it comes to removable vs fixed orthodontic appliances in terms of effectiveness, the two are equal. But regarding aesthetics, comfort, hygiene, and check-up frequency, there is a bigger discrepancy. Let’s take a look at what the biggest differences between removable vs fixed orthodontic appliances:

• Aesthetics. Removable orthodontic appliances are much more discreet than braces, so they go more unnoticed. Removable teeth aligners are transparent and conform to the shape of your teeth, so that you are able to smile with total confidence.
• Comfort. Removable aligners are much more practical and comfortable than braces or other types of fixed treatments. Plus, patients have no restrictions when it comes to eating. They can eat hard and colored foods like tea, coffee, wine, curry, and they can simply bite into a piece of fruit without the risk of breaking or staining the device.
  
• Hygiene. Aligners allow for better oral hygiene, since the toothbrush can easily access all areas of the mouth and isn’t restricted like with braces. The same goes for flossing. When you have a fixed appliance, interdental brushes should be used to clean the areas between the appliance and the teeth. Also aligners don’t smell bad, you can wash them with cold water and neutral soap to guarantee fresh breath, unlike with braces where bacterial plaque and tartar can build up.
  
• Check-ups. Fixed appliances like braces require frequent check-ups with the orthodontist for adjustments, which is not the case with invisible aligners. Aligners are changed every week or two. Plus, in certain cases, like with Impress, it’s possible to monitor your treatment remotely, thus saving many trips to the orthodontist. This is also true for when patients enter the phase that requires removable orthodontic retainers.
  

The cost of removable braces and other orthodontic appliances

Finally, we should look at the cost of removable braces and other orthodontic appliances. Prices around the US vary depending on many factors such as the professional, the prestige of the clinic, the duration of the treatment and the complexity of the case. But the typical cost of removable braces and other orthodontic appliances usually falls between $1,200 and $8,000 before insurance. The more expensive treatments are usually for more complex cases that require more movements and treatment time.

Prices for Impress removable aligners are competitive, transparent and upfront so you don’t have to deal with any surprises. All aligners, accessories, face-to-face and online visits are included in the total price of the treatment. We also offer financing plans so that you can comfortably pay for your treatment in installments.

The revolutionary Impress removable orthodontic aligners

At Impress we are specialists in removable orthodontic treatments. We offer quality, affordable, comfortable and hygienic treatment to align your teeth in our very own clinics.

We also offer several different types of treatments, depending on the complexity of your case. Our team of orthodontists evaluate your case and help choose which type of treatment is best for you. Interested in learning more about our removable invisible orthodontic treatments? We would be happy to give you all the details at an obligation-free consultation. You can contact by calling (888) 490 1421 via WhatsApp, or booking your initial consultation online.

We’re offering a completely free initial consultation so you can discover more about your personalized treatment plan with Impress.