| abstract |
A removable orthodontic appliance used to align the teeth of patient. The appliance is constructed to represent the patient's teeth in an aligned position. The material the appliance is constructed of is characterized by flexibility allowing a single appliance to move the patient's teeth into an aligned position. A single tooth may be moved with the appliance, but most commonly the appliance works best when teeth are mutually moved, most effectively, the six anterior teeth. The appliance may contain wires to widen or narrow the posterior width of the appliance and it also may contain a habit shield for tongue thrusting. |