In the case of crowding, appliances are used to push teeth back into place. They come in various forms, including metal, ceramic, self-aligning, clear aligners such as Invisalign, and lingual braces. Most are fixed in place to help realign your smile. Some, such as Invisalign, are removable, though not everyone is an ideal candidate for aligner trays.
Fixed appliances are used to move teeth into place and hold them there until long-term treatment is complete. This may involve wearing a set for months or even years before switching to another type of appliance depending on the severity of your condition.