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» Parts of Braces
» Orthodontic Procedures

Parts of Braces

Appliance: Anything attached to the teeth that provides movement or applies pressure which changes or remodels bone structures of the 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 tooth, going completely around it. Bands provide a way to attach brackets to your teeth.

Bond: The seal created by orthodontic cement that holds your appliances in place.

Bracket: A metal or ceramic part cemented ("bonded") to your tooth that holds your archwire in place.

Elastic (Rubber Band): A small rubber band hooked between different points on your appliances that provide pressure and movement resulting in a new position.

Elastic Tie: The rubber band fitting around your bracket. The elastic tie holds the archwire in place. Elastic ties come in a variety of colors.

Hook: A welded or removable arm that provides an attachment place for your elastics.

Ligature: A thin wire that holds your archwire into your bracket.

Mouthguard: A device that protects your mouth from injury when you participate in sports or rigorous activities.

Cemented or Removable Expander: A device applying pressure to stimulate bone remodeling and produce an increase jaw width.

Retainer: A removable appliance worn after braces are removed. The retainer attaches to upper and/or lower teeth to hold them in place.

Separator or Spacer: A small rubber ring that creates space between your teeth before the bands are attached.

Spring: A coil of wire applying pressure between brackets to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: A fine wire that is twisted around your bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Wax: Wax is removable material that is used to prevent braces from irritating your lips.

Orthodontic Procedures

Banding: The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.

Bonding: The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using special orthodontic cement.

Cephalometric Scan: An radiograph taken of your head to measure and evaluate and measure facial jaw structures. In growing children, calculations can be made to project growth patterns.

Debanding: The process of removing cemented orthodontic bands from your teeth.

Debonding: The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth.

Impressions: The process use to duplicate the size and characteristics of your teeth.

Jig: A cemented appliance utilized to move teeth.

Ligation: The process of attaching an archwire to the brackets on your teeth.

Simpli 5: An alternative to traditional braces, Simpli 5 provides minor correction through aeries of clear custom-molded aligners. Simpli 5 can correct specific types of crowding.

TMJ Scan: A series of radiographs used to evaluate jaw joints.