Introduction: Passive removable orthodontic appliances, despite the progress of fixed
techniques and the growing popularity of invisible aligners, remain an essential part of
modern orthodontic practice. Their use is particularly common in growing patients, where
they maintain achieved treatment results, prevent relapse, and guide jaw development
without the application of active mechanical forces. The main advantages of these
appliances include ease of use, affordability, maintenance of oral hygiene, and the
possibility of individual adaptation, which makes them clinically relevant in the treatment
of dental and skeletal malocclusions.Purpose: The aim of this thesis was to present the
role of passive removable appliances in orthodontics, to describe their constructional
characteristics, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications in different types of dental
and jaw irregularities. Special attention was given to the type II bionator, commonly
applied in the treatment of class II irregularity and to the demonstration of its fabrication
under laboratory conditions.Methods: A descriptive method was applied, combining a
comprehensive review of scientific literature in Slovene and English with practical
laboratory work. Sources were obtained from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar,
and COBISS, and some older publications were also included for historical and
professional context. In addition, a type II Bionator was fabricated in the dental laboratory
of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, with each fabrication stage carefully
documented through photographs and integrated into the presentation. Results: The thesis
describes the complete fabrication process of a type II Bionator, individually tailored for a
patient with class II irregularity. The results confirm that the appliance effectively supports
growth of lowe jaw, contributes to bite stabilization, and plays an important role in
maintaining the outcomes of orthodontic therapy.Discussion and conclusion: In the
discussion, the clinical role of passive removable appliances in the long-term stabilization
of the bite and their influence on jaw growth and development is emphasized. A
comparison among different functional appliances has shown that each device has specific
mechanisms of action, while the bionator additionally affects muscular balance, thereby
increasing the durability of results. It can be concluded that passive removable appliances,
especially the Bionator type II, remain an important tool in orthodontics, as their
adaptability and effectiveness complement modern therapeutic approaches.
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