What is the difference between braces and plates

Our Specialists. Treatment Options Braces. Lingual Orthodontics. Surgical Orthodontics. Functional Appliances. Patient Info First Visit. Appliance Care. Payment Options. Myofunctional Therapy. Top 10 Questions About Braces. What if my child doesn't want braces? Enhancing Facial Features with Braces. Information Brochures. Online Referral. Thanks to various orthodontic devices, specialists have learned to correct a bite, fix teeth crowding and their curvature, and make a smile more beautiful.

The plate is a plastic device that can be put on the upper or lower jaw or on both jaws in some cases. It uses wires to secure it on the teeth. They move the growing permanent teeth into the right position and hold them there.

Unlike braces, a plate is a removable device. You can take it out of your mouth yourself while eating or brushing your teeth, and then you can put it back in again. There are simple variations of plates and more complicated ones. They can be installed to correct the direction of teeth growth and to align protruding upper teeth, in particular. When you might need it: Plates are normally recommended for primary school children years old to correct minor problems with a bite or the crowding of teeth.

Braces cope with complex tasks more efficiently. The orthodontist attaches brackets to the teeth and passes metal wire through them. During the correction, the wire is pulled in certain places, gradually moving the teeth into the desired position.

When you might need it: Braces help to solve problems connected with crowded teeth, malocclusion, and jaw misalignment. With their help, you can correct crooked teeth and make your smile more even. Braces can be installed at any age, however, it is considered optimal to correct the position of the teeth in childhood.

Types of braces 1. Classical metal They are made of stainless steel and consist of metal brackets, an orthodontic arch, and elastic bands that fix the braces on the structural frame. Cons :. Ceramic This is a more unnoticeable alternative to metal braces. Sometimes instead of wire there will be metal prongs to hold the plate to your teeth. It can be used to either:. One type of orthodontic plate is a retainer. They are meant to hold your teeth in their current arrangement.

In most cases the plate will still look a lot like a retainer. An active plate is a retainer that has been modified to apply gentle force where needed. The front wire can be gradually tightened to move the teeth back into a better position. Another reason an orthodontic plate may be used is when the back teeth have drifted too far forwards.

The plate will help to move teeth backward: adult teeth not yet out of the gums can sometimes be blocked by crowded back teeth. A plate may also be used to fix an underbite, also known as a cross-bite of the front teeth. A plate to fix an underbite will usually have springs behind the front teeth. This is used to tip the top front teeth ahead of the lower teeth. Once the teeth have moved a little, the plate will become passive and an adjustment may be needed. During routine checkups with your orthodontist, the plate will be adjusted such that there is once again pressure on the problem area.

You may be able to personalise your orthodontic plate — with a colour or even a picture. A plate is made using either an impression or — ideally — a 3D scan. An orthodontic lab can then make a model of your teeth.