Removable braces are rarely the only appliance used to correct a malocclusion. They are mainly used in the early part of treatment, for example to guide the upper molars further back in the mouth (sometimes with the help of headgear at night), or to widen the upper dentition or to reduce the depth of the bite between the front teeth. Once their task is completed, treatment continues with fixed braces.

Removable braces can be used successfully on their own in younger children undergoing interceptive treatment. This type of treatment is undertaken for three to twelve months at 7 to 9 years of age and aims to correct only one or two specific problems present during this phase of development. More definitive treatment is often necessary at 11 to 13 years of age. An example of interceptive treatment is the forward guidance of an upper incisor that has become trapped behind the lower teeth when closing together. Crossbites such as this can also occur at the back of the mouth and this can also be corrected by removable appliance interceptive treatment.