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Orthodontic Appliances
Removable appliances, and what they can and cannot do.
An oral appliance is a removable device made to fit your mouth — used to guide development, hold teeth in a new position, protect them at night, or change how the jaw sits. Different appliances do very different jobs, and the name on its own tells you little.
What happens on the day
- An assessment of what specifically you want changed, and whether an appliance is the right tool for it.
- Impressions or a scan so the appliance is made to fit.
- Fitting, with adjustment over the following weeks as you get used to it.
- Reviews to check it is doing what it was made to do.
What it will cost
No fee for this treatment appears on this site, because the practice has not published one and inventing a number would be worse than leaving it out. What you can ask for is a written estimate with procedure codes before anything starts — how that works.
Common questions
Will it affect my speech?
Usually for the first days to weeks while you adapt, and then much less. Reading aloud at home speeds it up more than most people expect.
How long do I have to wear it?
That depends entirely on the appliance and the reason for it. Ask for the wear schedule in hours per day before you agree, because that is the number that determines whether it works.
What if I lose it or it breaks?
Tell the practice quickly. A gap in wear can undo progress, and a cracked appliance can irritate the gum.
Is a night guard the same thing?
No. A night guard protects teeth from grinding forces; it does not move anything or change development. They are often confused because both are removable and made to fit.