Fixed Appliance
An orthodontic device bonded or banded directly to the teeth that cannot be removed by the patient, used to achieve precise tooth movement.
Full Definition
Fixed appliances typically consist of brackets bonded to tooth surfaces and molar bands cemented around posterior teeth, connected by an archwire ligated into place. In clinical documents the term encompasses both conventional bracket systems and self-ligating systems. Editors should distinguish between 'fixed appliance treatment' as a treatment modality and specific named systems (e.g., pre-adjusted edgewise appliance). The term is often contrasted with 'removable appliance' in treatment-planning records. Fixed appliances are described in terms of prescription (e.g., Roth, MBT) and material (metal, ceramic), and editors must preserve these qualifiers accurately.
Usage
Usage note: Avoid the colloquial term 'train tracks' in formal clinical documents; use 'fixed appliance' or specify the system by name.
In Context
- "Upper and lower fixed appliances were placed at the start of phase two treatment." — Treatment progress note
- "Patient consent was obtained for fixed appliance therapy using ceramic brackets on the upper arch." — Consent documentation