What Is a Soft Appliance?

Considerations

• Appliances are devices fabricated to complete a specific task or designed to adapt another device. Toasters, laundry machines and braces might come to mind as appliances. As technology expands, however, so does the definition of appliances; pc printers, scanners and work stations fit easily into the concept of hardware devoted to specific tasks. “Soft appliance” is a compound noun created to describe specific technology in two fields -- computers and dentistry.

IT Soft Appliances

• When information technology professionals talk about soft appliances, they are talking about a stand-alone software system that functions in computers that utilize a number of business operating systems, such as Oracle or Linux, without becoming part of them. The IT soft appliance, designed for a specific client’s tasks, such as inventory and orders, might be put on a thumb-drive that can travel from work station to work station. The IT soft appliance is secure and contains just enough operating system to perform its function. Unlike web-based application service providers (ASP), the bare-bones OS of a soft appliance does not conflict with existing operating systems, allowing the user to configure it to fit tasks specific to his local station.

Orthodontic Soft Appliances

• Hard-wired corrective braces require constant adjustments over a number of years to achieve a mouth of perfectly aligned teeth. Advances in materials allowed braces mounted on the backs of teeth, eliminating the flash of bands and wires known as “metalmouth.” Computerization facilitated straightening teeth in a graduated procession of soft plastic retainers, designed to gradually guide teeth into the correct position. Orthodontic soft appliances correct minor alignment problems or provide post-metal band support. They shorten or eliminate requirements for periodic manual realignment and weekly office visits. In many cases, soft appliances can be worn only at night.

Sleep Apnea Soft Appliances

• Sleep apnea, an obstructive sleep disorder, causes snoring, gasping and cessation of breathing. Patients might be fitted with a number of appliances to aid breathing during sleep. Although many of apnea-specific assistive devices feature hard plastic or metal forms, several are soft appliances, made of silicone or other soft plastic. The mandibular advancement device resembles a double retainer that forces the lower jaw forward -- the tongue retaining device and soft palette lift both come in soft form.