Oral surgery - Instructions for removable dental appliances

This is a patient information leaflet about removable appliances. Please read this leaflet carefully.

• It is very important that you wear your brace as instructed by your orthodontist. This way the treatment will finish more quickly
• Normally your removable appliance is to be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise instructed by the orthodontist
• Your brace should be removed for swimming and contact sports
• At first wearing your brace may be uncomfortable. This will become easier after the first week and regular wear is the quickest way to get used to it
• During the first few days of wearing the appliance you may have difficulty with speech, eating and you may have excess salivation. This should only last a few days
• When removing your brace always use the clips at the back
• Handle the appliance with care: whenever it is not in your mouth please keep it in a case. Never wrap the appliance in a napkin or tissue or place it in your pocket. This is a common way to lose or break the appliance
• If your removable appliance becomes loose, uncomfortable, does not fit well, or becomes lost, please contact the department for an appointment
• You may be charged for remaking lost appliances. Take good care of them, as they are expensive
• You will need regular orthodontic appointments during treatment for removable appliance to be adjusted

If you have any questions about your removable brace, please contact our unit on:
Telephone: 0161 206 4731 or 0161 206 4736
Email: oral.surgery2@nca.nhs.uk