TERMS FOR BRACES
- Bracket. What most everyone knows as a brace.
Brackets are bonded to teeth.Band A tooth ring. - Bands. are cemented to molars.
- Archwire. The wire that is tied to the brackets and bands. Archwires work with the brackets and bands to straighten teeth.
- Hooks. Extend outward from brackets and bands. Hooks are used to attach rubber bands (elastics)
- Ligatures. Hold the wire to the braces. Ligatures are available in a variety of colours and will be changed each visit.
- Power Chain. closes spaces between teeth. Chain is ligatures linked together and are also available in a variety of colours
- Coil Springs. Create or hold spaces. Coils are springs that are placed on an archwire.
- Stainless Steel Ligature Ties. Hold the archwire to the braces.
These ligatures are sometimes used instead of the common coloured ties. - Spacers. Small donut-shaped elastics. Spacers are placed between teeth prior to band placement
- Elastics Rubber bands. Elastics are used to activate your braces and help straighten your teeth.