Orthodontic Dictionary

Parts of Braces

• Appliance – Anything your orthodontist attaches to your teeth or uses to move your teeth or change 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 tooth and goes completely around your tooth.Bands provide a way to attach brackets to your teeth.
• Bond – The seal created by orthodontic adhesives that holds your appliances in place.
• 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.
• Elastic (Rubber Band) – A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your appliance to provide pressure to move your teeth to their new position.
• Elastic Tie – The rubber band that fits around your bracket to hold the archwire in place. They come in a variety of colors.
• Hook – A welded or removable arm to which elastics are attached.
• Ligature Wire – 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.
• Palatal Expander – A device that makes the upper jaw wider.
• Retainer – An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed, the retainer attaches to your upper and/or lower teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable and others are bonded to the tongue-side of several teeth.
• Separator (or Spacer) – A small rubber ring that creates space between your teeth before the bands are attached.
• Tie Wire – A fine wire that is twisted around your bracket to hold the archwire in place.
• Wax – Wax is used to stop your braces from irritating your lips.