If you are wearing traditional braces, you are probably well-acquainted with how your braces look and feel. While it may seem like your mouth is stuffed with a bunch of shiny metal parts, you should know that each component has a name and is strategically serving a purpose in moving your teeth into proper alignment and straightening your smile.
It’s important to get to know the parts of your braces. You’ll have a whole new appreciation for your orthodontic treatment and will be able to identify the components if they suffer damage or come loose.
Understanding the Parts of Your Braces
Here is list of the primary components that make up your metal or ceramic braces:
- Bracket: The largest part of your braces are the square-shaped attachments that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Brackets hold the archwire in place.
- Band: Thin rings of metal fitted around the tooth and cemented in place. They carry tubes, hooks or rotating levers to help maneuver your orthodontic treatment plan.
- Archwire: The main wire or track across your brackets to guide the teeth. Archwires are changed out periodically throughout treatment.
- Ligature Tie: The archwire is anchored to your brackets with a ligature tie, which can be a tiny colored elastic or a twisted wire.
- Coil Springs: These small springs are used to help create or maintain between the teeth as needed. They fit over the archwire and between the brackets.
- Hook: An arm (welded or removable) to which the rubber bands are attached.
- Rubber Bands: Elastic bands that foster tooth movement.
- Buccal Tubes: Tubes on the molars (back teeth) that holds the end of the archwire.
Have more questions about what your orthodontic appliances consist of? You deserve to know the ins and outs of what is in your mouth. We are happy to explain they what, how and why of your braces treatment! Call Georgia Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry today to learn more.
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