Superior Service, Spectacular Smiles!
Braces Diagram & Videos
Braces Diagram
- Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It is changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.
- Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented into place. Bands provide a way to attach brackets to the teeth and are also used as handles for an expander.
- Bracket: A small metal or ceramic part that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is glued ("bonded") directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.
- Buccal Tube: A type of metal bracket that is rectangular and shaped like a tube. A buccal tube is usually glued ("bonded") directly to the molar, but can also be welded to a band that is then cemented to the tooth.
- Coil Spring: A spring that fits between the brackets and over the archwire to open space between the teeth.
- Elastic (Rubber Band): A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide gentle, continuous pressure to move the teeth and/or jaws to their new positions.
- Elastic Tie: The small rubber tie that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.
- Hook: A welded or removable arm on a bracket or archwire to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.
- Loop in Archwire: A special type of shape in the archwire that is frequently used as a "stop" to prevent forward movement of molars or as a support to hold the archwire in place. Many archwires don't have a loop.
- Wire Ligature Tie (with Pigtail): A fine piece of wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place. The end that is tied off is the "pigtail," which is normally tucked under the archwire or the edge of a bracket for comfort.
Braces: A Parts List
Clear Elastic Ties
