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May 23, 2013
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Functional Appliance


Photo of a functional appliance

Functional appliances use the muscle action from speaking, eating, and swallowing to create forces that move teeth and align the jaws. Some functional appliances are removable, and others are bonded to the teeth. A functional appliance may fit between the upper and lower teeth or may span across the mouth between the molars, pressing the bone outward.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerWilliam F. Hohlt, DDS - Orthodontics
Last RevisedJanuary 11, 2011

eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise

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