Braces: Know Your Parts

The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It’s changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new position.

A Thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Brackets – Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth’s surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Buccal Tube - A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. The molar band contains slots to hold archwires, lip bumpers, headgear and other things Dr. Chorak may use to move your teeth.

Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Small rubber bands that are hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

A tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.