Parts of Braces | Orthodontic Procedures
Parts of Braces
Appliance
Anything that attaches to your teeth which moves your teeth or changes the shape of your jaw.Archwire
The metal wire that acts as a track to guide your teeth along as they move. It is changed periodically throughout treatment as your teeth move to their new positions.Band
A metal ring that is cemented to your back tooth and goes completely around it.Bracket
A metal or ceramic part cemented ("bonded") to your tooth that holds
your archwire in place.Coil Spring
A spring that fits between your brackets and over your archwire to open space between your teeth.Rubber Band
A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your braces to provide pressure to move your teeth to their new positions.Elastic Tie
The tiny, often colored rubber band that fits around your bracket to hold the archwire in place.Hook
A welded or removable arm to which rubber bands are attached.Mouthguard
A device that protects your mouth from injury when you participate in sports or rigorous activities.Expander
A device that slowly widens your jaw.Retainer
An appliance that is worn after braces to maintain teeth alignment.Separator (or Spacer)
A small rubber ring that creates space between your teeth before the bands are attached.Wax
Wax is used to cover your braces to prevent irritation of your lips and cheeks (if needed).
Orthodontic Procedures
Banding
The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your back teeth (if needed).Bonding
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using special orthodontic cement.Cephalometic Imaging
Our office is equipped with a state-of-the-art digital imaging system that uses virtually no radiation for patient safety. This special image is taken only by orthodontists and shows the relative positions of the facial profile, jaws, and teeth.Consultation
A meeting to discuss your treatment plan.Debanding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic bands from your teeth.Debonding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth.Impressions (Molds)
Imprinting of your teeth using soft putty material, which is later used to create a replica (model) of your teeth.Invisalign®
An alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear custom-molded removable aligners.Panoramic Imaging
Our office is equipped with a state-of-the-art digital imaging system that uses virtually no radiation for patient safety. This special image allows the orthodontist to view all of the teeth, bone, and surrounding areas on one picture.