What are the most commonly fitted braces?
• A fixed brace – this is the most common type of brace today, often known as “train tracks”. Metal or ceramic brackets are glued onto the teeth and linked by wires, which exert a gentle pressure to move the teeth into a new position. Small elastic hoops are often used to hold the wire in position and come in many fashion-friendly colours. • A removable brace – this is sometimes used for correcting a simple problem, such as moving a single tooth or expanding the jaw. Removable braces need to be worn all the time except for cleaning or sport. • Functional appliances – these are used to harness the growth of the jaws and improve the way the upper and lower teeth meet. There are several designs all of which fit on to both the upper and lower teeth and hold the lower jaw forward. They are mostly removable but should be worn as near to full-time as possible. • Retainers – at the end of treatment, all patients should wear retainers to hold their teeth in the new position. These can be remova
