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Glite Dictionary
dental appliance

dental appliance

1 3.0
A device used to fix damaged teeth and replace missing teeth, like braces or dentures
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛntəl əˈplaɪəns/
  • Specialized
: aparato dental

Examples

  • An overt need for dental appliances was not evident in the population studied.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The orthodontist fitted her with a dental appliance to correct her teeth's alignment.

  • After losing several teeth, he decided to get a dental appliance to improve his smile.

  • The dentist explained that a dental appliance like braces can greatly enhance dental health.

Synonyms

brace
vsdental appliance
83 4.0

A set of metal or clear parts fixed to teeth to make them straight

is specifically any device for repairing or replacing teeth or supporting them
braces
vsdental appliance
38 3.2

A set of wires and small parts attached to teeth to straighten them

belong to the general group of devices used to improve or restore teeth
prosthetic
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
30 4.6

An artificial device that replaces a missing body part such as a leg

is the narrower group focused on teeth rather than all body parts
denture
vsdental appliance
23 5.5

A set of false teeth that a person can take out and put in

is a general device that repairs or replaces teeth in many forms
crown
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
12 6.2

A hard cover made to fit over a broken or weak tooth to protect it

is about devices that repair or replace teeth generally not only coverings
retainer
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
11 5.6

A small plastic or metal thing worn in the mouth to keep teeth straight after braces

is used broadly to repair or replace teeth not only to secure them
bridge
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
2 6.2

A row of artificial teeth fixed to nearby natural teeth to fill a gap

covers devices that repair or replace teeth not only anchored replacements
dental implant
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A small metal piece placed in the jaw to hold a new artificial tooth

is any device for repairing or replacing teeth not limited to implants
plate
vsdental appliance
  • UK
2 7.9

A removable set of false teeth that fits in the mouth

is a general device used to repair or replace teeth in many ways
dental plate
vsdental appliance
  • UK
1 5.6

A removable set of false teeth that fits in the mouth

is the broader category of devices for repairing or replacing teeth
bridgework
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A set of artificial teeth held by real teeth on both sides of a gap

is the broader class of devices for repairing or replacing teeth
orthodontic braces
vsdental appliance
1 3.0

A device made of wires and small brackets that makes teeth straight

are part of the wider set of devices that repair or replace teeth
partial denture
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A removable dental device that replaces one or more missing teeth

is the wider term for devices that repair or replace teeth generally
crownwork
vsdental appliance
  • Specialized
8.6

An artificial cap placed over a broken or decayed tooth

is the general category of devices for tooth repair or replacement

How Permanent

dental implant
  • Specialized
2 3.7
dental appliance
  • Specialized
1 3.0

Surface Forms

dental appliance singular
dental appliances plural

Morphology

dental + appliance

The meaning 'a device for teeth' is directly and compositionally derived from 'dental' (pertaining to teeth) + 'appliance' (a device). This is a regular noun–modifier combination found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Dental appliance combines dental (about the teeth) and appliance (a tool or device). It names a small tool a dentist fits in your mouth to 'repair' or 'replace' teeth, like braces or dentures.