Fixed and Removable Appliances in Tupelo, MS

Orthodontic care may be necessary for a wide range of patients, including children, teens, and adults. As a comprehensive family dental practice, Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers fixed and removable orthodontic appliances that may be used to facilitate orthodontic care, performed as a single treatment to enhance cosmetics, or as a pre- or post-braces retention service. These appliances include fixed space maintainers and removable Hawley retainers and may be recommended by general dentists Dr. Richard Caron and Dr. John Kenney to aid in a number of scenarios, from maintaining teeth in their positions to facilitating jaw development and growth in younger patients. To make getting comprehensive care for your family convenient, easy and personalized to your needs, we invite you to schedule a visit with our Tupelo, MS team to learn about your options of fixed or removable appliances.

At Tupelo Smiles, fixed and removable orthodontic appliances installed and worn before or after traditional orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign can help align teeth, enable teeth eruption, and improve a smile's aesthetic. Benefits of fixed and removable appliances administered at our Tupelo, MS office include:

• Improving the look of your smile
• Preventing teeth from shifting or being misaligned
• Benefitting oral health
• Decreasing the likelihood of future orthodontic treatments
• Promoting normal chewing and biting functions

Hawley Retainers: While a common use for Hawley appliances is keeping the teeth in their new positions after braces, this versatile removable device can also be used to make minor cosmetic adjustments to the teeth. Patients who have slightly rotated or misaligned front teeth may benefit from wearing a Hawley appliance for a short period of time.

Space Maintainers: Space maintainers are often utilized for children who have lost baby teeth but have not yet experienced the eruption of the corresponding permanent teeth. These appliances are typically fixed (cemented) to teeth in the upper or lower arch to maintain the space needed to allow for the proper eruption of the adult teeth.

During a comprehensive exam and consultation, doctors Caron or Kenney may recommend a fixed or removable appliance to facilitate proper tooth eruption for children or to address minor cosmetic concerns in patients of all ages. Our team will use an advanced iTero intraoral scanner to capture highly detailed impressions of the upper and lower arches, which our dental lab will use to custom-create these appliances. Hawley retainers and space maintainers are made from top-grade materials, like smooth stainless steel metal and acrylic, and customized for each individual patient. When the appliance arrives in our office, typically 1 – 2 weeks later, we will bring you or your child back in to have it placed and adjusted as necessary. Space maintainers will be securely attached to the teeth through a resin bonding agent and may sit unilaterally or bilaterally across the upper or lower arch.

It is important that you or your child wear these appliances exactly as recommended by doctors Caron or Kenney in order to achieve the desired oral health or cosmetic result. Our team will provide you with specific instructions on how to wear and maintain your device each day. While Hawley retainers can be easily removed to clean the teeth and gums, cleaning around bonded space maintainers may be more challenging, especially for younger patients. Tips on brushing and flossing around a fixed space maintainer and how to best help your child care for this appliance on a daily basis will also be provided. Following the placement of your appliance, doctors Caron or Kenney will let you know how long the device will need to be worn and when to schedule follow-ups at Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to monitor treatment progress.

What are the differences between fixed and removable appliances at Tupelo Smiles?

Fixed appliances, like space maintainers, are securely bonded to the teeth and can't be removed by the patient. They are typically used in children to maintain space for adult teeth to erupt properly. On the other hand, removable appliances, such as Hawley retainers, can be taken out by the patient for cleaning or comfort purposes. They are often used after braces to maintain tooth alignment but can also be used for minor cosmetic adjustments.

How are fixed and removable appliances customized to fit my mouth?

At Tupelo Smiles, we use an advanced iTero intraoral scanner to capture highly detailed impressions of your upper and lower arches. These digital impressions are sent to our dental lab, where your appliance is custom-created to fit your mouth precisely.

What is the care routine for fixed and removable appliances?

Hawley retainers can be easily removed for cleaning teeth and gums, but keeping the appliance clean is also essential. For fixed appliances like space maintainers, the challenge is brushing and flossing around the device. Doctors Caron or Kenney, along with their team at Tupelo Smiles, will provide you with detailed instructions on how to maintain your appliance and keep your mouth healthy.

What conditions can fixed and removable appliances treat?

Oral appliances can be used to treat numerous conditions such as teeth grinding, facial and jaw pain, discomfort from braces, TMD, and more. Oral appliances can also be used to straighten teeth if you do not want traditional braces.

How do I know if I need a fixed or removable appliance?

The only way to know for sure if you are in need of an oral appliance is to get an assessment from your provider. A physical examination and X-ray may be needed to determine the best type of treatment for you. If you are experiencing symptoms such as facial pain or discomfort, contact our office to discuss the benefits of fixed and removable appliances.

Is a dental appliance more beneficial than traditional braces?

Although both methods can effectively straighten your teeth, an oral appliance offers a whole host of benefits. Traditional braces require between 12 – 18 months to achieve the results you seek, while oral appliances can help you achieve straighter teeth quicker and allow you flexibility during eating, sports, or special occasions.

Hawley retainers and space maintainers from our Tupelo, MS practice may be an important part of your family’s oral health treatment plan to enhance or maintain tooth alignment or allow for the proper eruption of permanent teeth. Find out more about your family’s options for fixed or removable orthodontic appliances by scheduling a visit with doctors Caron or Kenney at Tupelo Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.