What term is used to refer to appliances manufactured to assist with teeth alignment?

The term "orthodontic appliances" encompasses a range of devices designed to assist in the alignment of teeth and the correction of jaw issues. This includes not only braces, which are a specific type of orthodontic appliance that use brackets and wires to shift teeth into proper position, but also other devices like expanders and aligners. By identifying the broader category of appliances intended for correcting teeth alignment, "orthodontic appliances" captures all methods and tools used in the field of orthodontics.

While braces and retainers are specific types of orthodontic appliances, the correct terminology here is more inclusive than these individual options. Retainers, for instance, are used after braces to maintain teeth position, while dentures refer to removable replacements for missing teeth. Therefore, "orthodontic appliances" is the term that accurately describes the category of devices used explicitly for teeth alignment and correction within orthodontics.