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Last Reviewed 03 May 2023

Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul O'Connell, Bachelor Dent. Sc. (Trinity College Dublin) 2004, Practice Limited to Orthodontics

Taking Care Of Your Removable Appliances

Removable orthodontic devices are a convenient way to get straighter teeth, correct an overbite or fix many other dental issues that might impact your confidence.

Removable orthodontic appliances can be taken out by you for cleaning and are designed to apply forces to the teeth using springs, screws and other mechanical components.

Here are our instructions for taking care of your removable orthodontic appliances.

Wearing Removable Appliances

For optimal results, we recommend wearing your appliances for at least 14 hours daily, including throughout the night and for part of the day. However, the longer you wear the appliances the faster the treatment will take and the sooner you can stop wearing the appliance

Consider wearing your appliances up to 22 hours a day, removing them only for cleaning and eating. This continuous wear is key for the effectiveness of your treatment.

Cleaning The Braces

Just like brushing teeth, you must clean your appliances every day. Use a toothbrush with cold water to clean the appliance.

Storing Your Removable Appliance

All braces are issued with a dedicated container to keep them safe when you're not wearing them.

Get into the habit of placing your removable braces in your container when you're not wearing it to protect it from damage and bacteria.

We've found that the most common reason our patients lose their removable braces is because they wrap them in tissue paper and then accidentally put them in the bin or leave them behind instead of storing them in the dedicated container.

Dealing With Discomfort

While removable orthodontics are less painful than fixed orthodontics, it's still common to feel discomfort while you're getting used to the removable braces.

Some people notice their teeth are tender, and removing the orthodontic appliance for five to 10 minutes and then putting them back in again can alleviate this.

You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen for the first few days of treatment until you get used to wearing the appliance. The pain will subside once you get used to the appliance , so give it time and focus on the results.

Speaking With Your Removable Orthodontic Appliances In Your Mouth

When you first start wearing your appliance it's common to notice speech issues. Some people develop a slight lisp and have problems speaking, but practising reading aloud will help you. You'll get used to speaking and eating with the appliance in a few days.

Eating And Drinking

Avoid chewy foods like chewing gum, sticky foods and hard foods while wearing your removable appliances.

While you can eat and drink with your removable appliance in your mouth, we suggest removing your appliances while eating to prevent damage and ensure proper oral hygiene.

After meals, clean both your teeth and the appliance before reinsertion.

Overcorrection

Moving teeth can take months, but leaving your brace out even for a few hours, can cause them to return to their natural position. For this reason, we perform overcorrection when we're doing orthodontic treatment, which moves your teeth further than required to account for this relapse at the end of your treatment.

In most cases, overcorrection isn't noticeable, and it's nothing to worry about.

The Importance Of Regular Checkups

You'll attend regular checkups when you have orthodontic treatment to ensure the appliance performs its desired function. Make sure you go to every appointment, as your orthodontist will check for any issues and make changes if necessary.

Revamp Your Smile With Removable Orthodontic Appliances From 3Dental

Investing in removable appliances gives you more flexibility than fixed appliances, and most adults prefer them for aesthetic reasons. Following this orthodontic device instructions will help you let the best possible results with minimal interruption to your daily life.

Please feel free to contact our professional team if you have any questions.