Removable Dental Appliances

Dental Appliances in Budd Lake

Teeth can fall victim to any number of problems. Some are the result of mere neglect, and others completely beyond our control, like genetics or accidental mishap. For all the reasons that teeth need dental attention, there is a variety of different ways to address these problems. In certain cases, your Budd Lake dentist may suggest removable dental appliances. But what are they?

The usual case for a full set of dental braces is that, after a dental examination, it becomes evident that many teeth are growing in at different angles, causing issues with spacing. The result will be an almost entirely crooked set of teeth. The sheer number of problem teeth in this situation necessitates complete coverage to move as many teeth as possible into a better alignment.

But in some cases, many teeth will be perfectly fine, and only a few teeth will have any problems with crowding or improper alignment. In such cases, a removable dental appliance is a much more sensible solution. These devices come in a few different forms, but they all serve a similar purpose. This is to focus on a particular set of teeth to apply pressure and move them into a slightly different position. They come in a few varieties, but, as the name suggests, these can be removed should you desire for brushing, flossing or eating.

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THE RETAINER

This may be issued after braces have been removed, or as a substitute for braces in less severe cases. A retainer is a device made of wire and a guard that has been fitted to specific teeth in your mouth. Like braces, it holds select teeth in position and applies force to gradually move them into new positions.

Our dental team may recommend this for the last few remaining teeth after braces have done most of the work, or suggest this instead if most of your teeth are already in a good position.

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REMOVABLE SPACE MAINTAINERS

When a child is losing baby teeth and growing in permanent teeth, this can often result in uneven growth, as some teeth are lost while others are replaced. A space maintainer is a device designed to temporarily provide and maintain space in the mouth so that new permanent teeth can grow in properly without being crowded by other teeth in the area.

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NIGHT GUARDS

Some people in Budd Lake may unconsciously grind their teeth in the night while they sleep. This can eventually damage the teeth, but of course, there’s no way for a person to control their reflexes while unconscious. A night guard is a device a person can wear at bedtime to protect their teeth once the involuntary grinding reflex begins.

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MOUTH GUARDS

Protecting your teeth is important. Physical mishaps are always a danger to teeth. Accidents happen, people trip or fall, but when it comes to sports, this danger to teeth rises exponentially. Falls, collisions and many other mishaps during sports all have the potential to chip, damage or even knock teeth out.

CLICK HERE to learn more about how mouth guards can help protect your teeth if you play sports.

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TONGUE THRUST DENTAL GUARDS

Some people can, during sleep, shift their tongue in their mouth in such a way that it pushes against teeth and inadvertently applies pressure. Surprisingly, this can have a similar effect to braces. When pressure is applied all night, every night, it can eventually move teeth into new positions. A tongue thrust dental guard is something that sleepers can wear to act as a barrier between the tongue and teeth and prevent this nightly pressure from actually shifting your teeth.

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These removable dental appliances can treat a variety of different conditions, but as with all dental tools, they are delicate and must be treated with care. By using them correctly, you can enjoy a healthier, happier mouth.  Call our team a Gentle Family Dentistry with any questions you have.