All About
Removable Braces

There are many types of orthodontic appliances available today to straighten and realign teeth. Removable braces are one option. They involve custom-made clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth.

Removable braces differ from traditional fixed braces that use brackets and wire. They’re appealing to many people because you can take them out for a few hours a day.

Keep reading to learn more about removable braces, how they compare to fixed orthodontic gear, and what teeth corrections they’re ideal for.

What are removable braces?

Removable braces are clear plastic trays that you snap in and out of your mouth to correct orthodontic conditions. A course of treatment involves multiple trays that you swap out every few weeks for approximately 12 to 18 months.

Your trays from the first few weeks will look different than the ones you use at the end of treatment because they’ll account for the movement of your teeth over time. These trays put light pressure on your teeth to slowly move them into their ideal place.

Advantages Of
Removable braces

The advantages of removable braces include the following:

They’re invisible.
You can take them out to eat, drink, and clean your teeth.
You can use either a local orthodontist or a direct-to-consumer company with a virtual orthodontist.
They may be less expensive than traditional braces.

How removable braces are made

An orthodontist or a direct-to-consumer company creates custom removable braces for your mouth based on X-rays, dental impressions, and other scans of your teeth.

Local orthodontists can do this from their office, while direct-to-consumer companies rely on home impressions that you return to them and virtual consultations with orthodontists.

It’s worth noting these companies can miss issues with your teeth or your bite because the impressions are taken by you, rather than a dental technician who’s trained to do this.

How often you need to wear them

You need to wear removable braces most hours of the day. Your orthodontist will check your mouth’s progress regularly to make sure the removable braces are working according to your treatment plan.

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What are removable braces ideally used for?

You may be a candidate for removable braces if you need minor adjustments to your teeth and mouth alignment.

Removable braces can straighten teeth, close gaps between teeth, and help align your bite. However, they may not be the best option if you need significant orthodontic treatment.

Teens and adults can use removable braces. Adults may prefer them because they’re clear and inconspicuous. Parents may prefer their children and teens use them because they allow for proper cleaning and flossing of teeth.

It’s important to be responsible and mindful if you wear removable braces. Make sure to wear them for most hours of the day and don’t lose the trays. This is often the biggest challenge for teens.