[Clinical application of positioner and its fabrication]

Positioner is one type of removable appliances made of elastic material. This material, which is a kind of high polymer and has recoverable ability, may be as a new type of orthodontic material used not only in orthodontic treatment of various kind of malocclusions but also in retention in later stage of treatment. It is not same to the stainless steel wire of traditional removable appliances which must be activated every time to produce a little tooth movement. The advantages of positioner are to reduce the visit frequency and to shorten the duration of treatment. According to our clinical experiences, the indications are: simple individual malocclusion; treatment and retention in later stage of various kind of malocclusions; and patients who couldn't come to clinic regularly.