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Straightforward treatment may be carried out with a removable appliance (a plate that can be taken out to be cleaned). It has delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure.
Removable orthodontic appliances can have many shapes and appearances. “Retainers” are examples of one type. Retainers usually just hold teeth in their new positions after active orthodontic treatment (braces) is complete, but springs or elastics can be added to these types of appliances to move teeth. Rubber bands, or elastics, are used in almost every treatment to help move teeth into a correct position.
There are also removable orthopedic functional appliances that help correct growth discrepancies. Headgear may also be used for some or all of the period that the brace is being worn to accelerate the rate of movement of the teeth, or to correct an over or under bite.