Fixed dental appliances, such as rail braces, are used to correct malocclusions for cosmetic or medical reasons. They are prescribed and fitted by orthodontists and may require surgery. Patients must take special care and make regular appointments to avoid damage and dental problems.
A fixed appliance is a dental appliance that cannot be removed by the patient. Dental appliances are used to move teeth to correct malocclusions, situations where the teeth are not aligned properly in the mouth. Depending on the nature of the malocclusion, a dental appliance may be worn primarily for cosmetic reasons, to straighten unaesthetic-looking teeth, or it may be important for medical reasons, to correct a malocclusion which can cause difficulty eating, increase the risk of infections or cause other problems.
The classic example of a fixed appliance are so-called “rail braces”, which consist of a series of brackets on the teeth connected with a wire known as an archwire. Traintrack braces work by applying force to the teeth to align them and can be worn for 18 months or more, with periodic adjustments made to the braces to ensure they are pulling the teeth in the right direction. There are also other types of fixed appliances that can be used.
Dental appliances are usually prescribed and fitted by an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in correcting malocclusions. In addition to wearing fixed braces, some patients may also require surgery. For example, some patients have jaws that are out of position, in which case all the fixed appliances in the world won’t fix the problem and the patient will require surgery to align the jaw.
Wearing braces can be uncomfortable. As long as the patient is wearing the device, special care should be taken to keep the teeth and mouth in good condition. Some foods are often prohibited because they can damage the appliance or leave residues that are difficult to clean. After tightening and adjustments, the teeth and jaw are often sore for several days, and some patients also dislike the social attention they attract while wearing fixed braces. These appliances are most often used in children, and classmates can sometimes be cruel to children who look different, including children with obvious braces.
Fixed appliance therapy also requires a commitment on the part of the patient to make regular appointments and care for the appliance. If the appliance is left in the mouth without adjustments, it can potentially cause damage to the mouth and teeth. Similarly, if the patient neglects braces or does not take care of their teeth properly, problems such as gingivitis and tooth decay can occur.
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