Schwartz Plate

Schwarz Appliance – Custom-Made Removable Orthodontic Appliance

The Schwarz appliance is a single-arch removable orthodontic appliance, custom-made for either the maxillary or mandibular arch. Its design consists of an acrylic baseplate combined with appropriately selected mechanical and wire components.

At KarDent, we manufacture Schwarz appliances according to the orthodontist’s prescription, based on dental casts, impressions, or intraoral scans. Each appliance is individually adapted to the submitted design and the technical requirements of the specific case.

Schwarz Appliance Design

The appliance is based on an individually shaped acrylic baseplate. Depending on the prescribed design, it may incorporate:

• an orthodontic expansion screw,

• a labial bow,

• Adams clasps,

• arrowhead clasps, ball clasps, or other retentive components,

• springs and other active components,

• tongue cribs,

• acrylic pads or additional acrylic components.

The type, position, and configuration of individual components, including the course of the wires, are determined by the orthodontist’s prescription. The laboratory does not modify the appliance design without prior consultation.

Expansion Screws and Acrylic Baseplate Sectioning

The Schwarz appliance may be fitted with a standard expansion screw, sector screw, fan-type expansion screw, or multidirectional screw. The type of screw, its position, and the direction of activation should correspond to the prescribed appliance design.

The sectioning lines within the acrylic baseplate determine how the appliance is divided into individually activated segments. Precise positioning of the screw axis and accurate finishing of the acrylic are important for the correct mechanical function of the appliance.

Wire Components

Wire components may serve active, retentive, or structural functions. Schwarz appliances may incorporate, among others, labial bows, clasps, springs, and additional wire components fabricated according to the orthodontist’s prescription.

The diameter and type of orthodontic wire are selected according to the function of each component and the overall appliance design. All wire components are individually formed on the working model and integrated into the acrylic baseplate.

Schwarz Appliance with Modifications

The appliance design may be extended with additional active and retentive components. Modifications may include, among others, a different type of expansion screw, springs, additional clasps, acrylic pads, or individually designed wire components.

For non-standard appliances, the design can be discussed with the laboratory in advance. This makes it possible to confirm the technical feasibility of the proposed construction before fabrication begins.

Fabrication for the Maxillary or Mandibular Arch

The Schwarz appliance is fabricated separately for either the maxillary or mandibular dental arch. The extent of the acrylic baseplate, screw position, and configuration of the wire components are adapted to the working model and the information provided in the prescription.

Selection of the appliance, its design, activation protocol, and instructions for use remain the responsibility of the treating orthodontist. KarDent is responsible for the technical fabrication of the appliance in accordance with the documentation provided.

Fabrication from Dental Casts or Digital Scans

The appliance may be fabricated from a dental cast supplied to the laboratory, from an impression, or from an intraoral scan. In a fully digital workflow, we produce the working model using 3D printing technology.

The prescription should specify the dental arch, type of expansion screw, baseplate sectioning, clasps, labial bow, and any additional components required for the appliance.