Eruption Guidance Appliances

Eruption Guidance Appliances are removable orthodontic devices designed to guide the teeth into their correct position as they erupt.

They are made from slightly flexible polyurethane that has been pre-moulded into a range of shapes and sizes.

In suitable patients and when worn according to instructions, they can be effective in the short term.

However, their long-term effectiveness is yet to be established and prospective patients should be aware that the use of Eruption Guidance Appliances does not guarantee that braces will not be needed later.

Typically, these appliances are used in patients aged 8-12 years with mild orthodontic problems.  The appliances are worn at night and often during part of the day too.  Patient cooperation can be a problem and a recent large study* found that about one in every three drops out of treatment.

Many orthodontic problems cannot and should not be treated with Eruption Guidance Appliances and prospective patients should be wary of extravagant claims to the contrary.

Braces remain the most controllable, predictable, and proven method of moving teeth and so Eruption Guidance Appliances are not used extensively by Australian orthodontists.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment of any type, it is strongly recommended that you seek an opinion from an orthodontist.

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