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- Removable appliances may be used by themselves, or in conjunction with other appliances (such as those fixed to the teeth) to assist with the progress of treatment.
- You should normally wear your appliance full-time (day and night).
- You may find it difficult to speak clearly when you first start wearing your appliance; this is quite normal and you will find that you gradually become used to talking with the appliance in place.
- It is best to become accustomed to eating with your appliance in position, although you must avoid sticky sweets such as toffees, chewing gum, etc. These will damage the appliance. Wearing removable appliances during meal times is particularly important when these are being used to protect a fixed appliance in the opposite jaw from being damaged by the bite.
- The brace will not damage the teeth, but it will encourage the accumulation of plaque and food debris, and if this is not completely removed permanent staining and decay of the tooth can occur.
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- A diet high in sugar is likely to make this worse, therefore sweets and sugary drinks (such as cola, lemonade, etc.) should be avoided as much as possible.
- The appliance should always be taken out for cleaning; you can use a toothbrush and toothpaste but be careful not to bend any of the wires.
- It is also advisable to remove your appliance for any sports or games (including swimming) where it may become dislodged accidentally.
Put it somewhere safe ( a rigid container is best) e.g. a soap box
- Always insert and remove your appliance as you have been instructed, using your fingers. Never bite it into place; this is likely to break it. When it is in position, leave it there and do not be tempted to "play" with it with your tongue, as this can also lead to damage.
- In the event of a breakage, please contact the hospital so that arrangements can be made for repair. This normally has to be undertaken by the technical laboratory and may take a week or so. It is also necessary for patients to attend in person so that the fit of the appliance can be checked once the repair has been carried out.
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