Ortho Dictionary

Parts of Braces

Appliance

Anything your orthodontist attaches to your teeth which moves them or changes 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 it. Bands provide a way to attach holding arches or space maintainers to your teeth.

Bond

The seal created by orthodontic cement that holds your appliances in place.

Bracket

The metal part 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 appliances to provide pressure to move your teeth to their new position.

Hook

A welded or removable arm on the archwire to which elastics are attached.

Ligature

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 your upper jaw wider.

Retainer

An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed; this appliance 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.

Wax

Wax is used to stop your braces from irritating your lips.

Orthodontic Procedures

Banding

The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.

Bite Openers

Small, clear plastic ramps placed on the back of two upper front teeth to prevent biting on the lower braces.

Bonding

The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using special orthodontic adhesive.

Cephalometric X-ray

An X-ray of your head which shows the relative positions and growth of the face, jaws, and teeth.

Debonding

The process of removing orthodontic brackets from your teeth.

Impressions

The process of making a model of your teeth by biting into a soft material that hardens into a mold of your teeth.

Occlusal Buildups

Small, clear plastic bumps placed on the biting surfaces of two back teeth to prevent biting on the lower braces.

Panoramic X-ray

An X-ray that rotates around your head to take pictures of your teeth, jaw, and other facial areas.