An orthodontic appliance is the general name for removable or fixed devices used in growing children to guide jaw development, break harmful habits or hold space for the permanent teeth. At our clinic, appliance treatments are carried out as a collaboration between Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sezin Özer's pediatric follow-up and the planning of our clinic's orthodontics specialist.
What is an orthodontic appliance and what does it do?
Appliances are devices custom-made for the child's mouth that apply gentle, guiding forces to the teeth or jaw bones. Some are removable devices the child can take in and out, while others are fixed to the teeth.
The power of an appliance comes from the fact that the child is still growing: guidance applied while jaw development is active allows skeletal problems to correct along with growth. Correcting the same problems in adulthood usually requires far more extensive treatment.
When are appliances used?
The main uses of appliances in early orthodontic treatment are:
- Palatal expansion for a narrow upper jaw (correcting a crossbite of the back teeth)
- Breaking habits such as thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Holding space for the permanent tooth after early loss of a baby tooth (space maintainers)
- Guiding permanent teeth as they erupt into their correct positions
- Guiding growth discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws
The rationale behind early (interceptive) orthodontics
Interceptive orthodontics aims to diagnose and treat bite problems early, as they begin to emerge during the mixed dentition stage when baby and permanent teeth are present together. The widely accepted approach is for every child to have an orthodontic evaluation at around age 6-7.
A crossbite caused by a narrow upper jaw, for example, can largely be corrected at this age with a simple palatal expander. Early intervention can reduce crowding, lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth and simplify any comprehensive orthodontic treatment that may be needed later. Not every child needs an appliance; the decision is made after the examination and the necessary records.
Child and family cooperation in appliance wear
With removable appliances, success depends on the device being worn consistently for the hours recommended by the dentist, which requires the child's motivation and the family's support. At our clinic, inserting, removing and cleaning the appliance is taught to the child in a playful, patient way.
The appliance should be cleaned daily with water and a soft brush, and kept in its box when not being worn. Regular check-ups are needed to keep the appliance fitting the growing jaw and to adjust it when necessary.
The treatment, step by step
Assessment and diagnosis
The child's dentition stage, bite and jaw development are assessed jointly from the pediatric dentistry and orthodontics perspectives.
Impressions and making the appliance
An impression of the mouth is taken; the appliance is custom-made for the child's jaw structure.
Fitting and wear instructions
The appliance is fitted and adjusted in the mouth; wear time, cleaning and storage are demonstrated to the child and family.
Regular check-ups and follow-up
The appliance is checked and adjusted at set intervals; jaw development and tooth eruption are monitored together.
