Orthodontic Parts
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Archwire
A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.
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Fixed Retainer
Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.
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Wax
A clear wax used to prevent your braces from irritating your lips or cheeks when your braces are first put on, or at other times.
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Rubber Bands
During various phases of treatment, small elastics or rubber bands are used as a gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or the aligning of jaws.
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Forsus
The forus is a fixed appliance that is used for dental asymmetry corrections when a higher force is needed. This appliances allows the patient to open and move the jaw freely.
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Mouthguard
A device that is used to protect your mouth form injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouthguard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.
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Chain
A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.
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Herbst
An appliance that is designed to correct bites and improve facial profiles.
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Bands
A metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your braces.
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Bracket
Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.
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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, facebows and other things your orthodontist uses to move your teeth.
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Palatal Expander
A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander, is used to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better.
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Elastics
Elastics or rubber bands for braces help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. The orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.
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Ligating Module
A small plastic piece, shaped like a donut, which is used to hold the archwires in the brackets on your teeth.
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Retainer
A gadget that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and / or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position while your jaw hardens and your teeth get strongly attached to your jaw. At first, you wear the retainer 24 hours a day, and then only at night.
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Hawley Retainer
Hawley retainer includes a metal wire that surrounds the teeth and keeps them in place. Named for its inventor, Dr. Charles Hawley, the labial wire, or Hawley bow, incorporates 2 omega loops for adjustment. It is anchored in an acrylic arch that sits in the palate (roof of the mouth).
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Separators
Separators are tiny rubber bands or springs that your orthodontist places between your back teeth. These separators prepare your mouth for braces by creating a small gap between these teeth. This space allows for the placement of a metal band around your molar, which anchors your braces in your mouth.