About Our Functional Appliances

Our functional appliances are custom-made, removable constructions for both the upper and lower jaw. The range includes integrated acrylic-and-wire appliances, separate upper and lower plates, designs with acrylic cheek shields, and constructions joined by Herbst telescopic connectors.

Standard consumer appliances are made to your existing bite and supplied for visual, illustrative, entertainment, or professional-demonstration purposes. They are not intended for orthodontic treatment and are not a substitute for professional dental or orthodontic care.

Compare Our Functional Appliance Designs

Compare the standard construction of each model. Visit the product pages for available options and details. Optional extras are included only when selected with your order.

Appliance Key design features
Twin Block with Herbst & Lip Bumpers Separate upper and lower acrylic plates with two Herbst telescopic connectors, upper and lower lip pads, and one screw per plate.
Twin Block Appliance Separate upper and lower acrylic plates with matching angled blocks at the back, an upper front wire bow, and wire clasps.
Van Beek Activator An integrated acrylic appliance with a facebow and large upper and lower lip shields. A head cap or neck pad is ordered separately.
Activator with Tongue Crib and Lip Bumpers An integrated acrylic Activator with a wire grid behind the front teeth, upper and lower lip pads, and a front wire bow.
Herbst Appliance with RPE Upper and lower cast metal crown frameworks joined by two Herbst telescopic connectors, with one RPE screw in the upper framework. A lower screw is optional.
Headgear Activator An integrated acrylic appliance with an upper front wire bow and facebow. Its acrylic coverage is less extensive than the Van Beek design. A head cap or neck pad is ordered separately.
Activator One integrated acrylic construction combining the upper and lower sections, with a front wire bow and other wire components.
Bionator An integrated acrylic-and-wire appliance with a front wire bow and acrylic covering the edges of the lower front teeth. The open-palate version includes a palatal wire spring; the closed version uses acrylic in that area.
Activator with Lip Bumpers and Tongue Bead An integrated acrylic Activator with upper and lower lip pads, a central tongue bead, and a front wire bow.
Fränkel I Appliance An open wire framework with acrylic cheek shields on both sides, two lower lip pads, and an upper front wire bow.
Fränkel II Appliance Acrylic cheek shields, two lower lip pads, and an upper front wire bow, plus a central acrylic lingual shield behind the front teeth.
Fränkel III Appliance An open wire framework with acrylic cheek shields on both sides, two upper lip pads, and a lower front wire bow.
Bite Jumping Appliance (Sander II) Separate upper and lower acrylic plates with one screw each. Two downward-facing guide prongs are integral parts of the upper Sander II screw.
Modified Bionator with Cheek Shields An integrated acrylic construction with cheek shields, upper and lower front lip pads, a central palatal screw, and wire components.
Clear Retainer with Herbst Appliance Separate transparent upper and lower shells joined by two Herbst telescopic connectors, one on each side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before ordering a custom orthodontic appliance:

Functional Appliances

  • Do these appliances contain genuine orthodontic components?

    Yes. Our functional appliances use genuine orthodontic components and professional laboratory construction. Depending on the model, these may include wire bows, clasps, springs, screws, or Herbst telescopic connectors. These construction details do not establish individual suitability for orthodontic treatment.

  • Which dental records are needed for a functional appliance?

    Suitable upper- and lower-jaw impressions or compatible intraoral scans are required. A bite registration records how your upper and lower teeth meet and is recommended so the appliance can be made to your existing bite. It is strongly recommended for some models, as noted on their product pages.

    If you do not have suitable records, you can add an upper-and-lower impression kit to your order. Our technicians review the records before fabrication; you do not need to provide them before checkout.

  • What are these functional appliances intended for?

    Standard consumer appliances are made to your existing bite and supplied for visual, illustrative, entertainment, or professional-demonstration purposes, including film, theater, and photoshoots. They are not intended for orthodontic treatment and are not a substitute for professional dental or orthodontic care.

    For treatment-related needs, consult a licensed local orthodontist. Any request for treatment-purpose manufacture requires separate review and an individual prescription specifying the appliance’s construction. BracesShop does not diagnose, plan treatment, or provide clinical supervision.

  • What help can you provide when comparing appliances?

    We can explain the differences in construction, available options, and ordering requirements. The comparison table and product pages show the standard components of each model. We cannot assess dental conditions or recommend an appliance for treatment. For treatment-related suitability, consult a licensed local orthodontist.

  • Which colors and design options can I choose?

    Available options depend on the model. Acrylic colors apply to appliances with acrylic parts; clear-shell and metal constructions have different options. Choose from the options shown on the product page.

    For an unlisted color arrangement or construction request, describe your preferences in checkout Notes. Our technicians review special requests before fabrication. Any additional charge will be confirmed with you.

  • What happens after I place my order?

    Order your appliance and add an impression kit if needed. Suitable dentist-taken impressions, compatible scans, or suitable retained records from an earlier order may also be used.

    If you take new impressions, upload clear photos through the customer portal linked in your order-status emails. If you cannot use the portal, email the photos with your order number to [email protected]. After approval, you will receive the appropriate return instructions. Compatible scan files can also be uploaded through the portal. Fabrication begins once suitable records have been received and reviewed.

  • What timeframe should I allow for my order?

    Overall processing for most custom-made appliances usually takes approximately 10 to 20 business days after usable impressions or suitable scan files have been received. This includes fabrication and forwarding to the fulfillment center. Final delivery takes additional time depending on your destination and shipping method. These timeframes are estimates.

  • Who should I contact about a fit problem?

    Email [email protected] with your order number, a description of the problem, and clear photos. We will review the case and explain the available options. Minor rework is normally free apart from applicable shipping. If a complete remake is needed, its cost depends on the cause and the case review.

  • Can you deliver to my country?

    We ship worldwide with tracking. Available shipping services and costs for your delivery address are shown at checkout. Temporary carrier or destination restrictions may apply.