Dental brace. Close-up of a child's mouth fitted with a removable dental brace (orthodontic device). Braces are worn to correct the position of overcrowded teeth. Teeth may tilt inwards, twist sideways or splay outwards. Dental braces are designed to exert pressure on the teeth and alter their position. Braces may be removable (as here) or fixed. Fixed devices are used when many teeth need positioning. They give more precise control over tooth movement than removable braces, but may trap dental plaque.