Archwire
A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.
Bands
Bands are a ring of metal, which fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental
Biteplate
A Biteplate is a removable appliance similar to a retainer or a fixed appliance that is used to correct a deepbite or to help correct a crossbite.
Brackets
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.
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.
Chain
A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.
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.
Headgear
A removable appliance worn to restrict growth of the upper jaw and improve overjet problems. It normally consists of a facebow that attaches to the teeth and a strap that fits around the neck or head.
Herbst
The Herbst appliance is used to correct overbites due to lack of development of the lower jaw. It is cemented in place which eliminates cooperation. Simple braces cannot achieve this correction.
The appliance can be adjusted by the orthodontist to create the ideal position of the lower jaw to the upper teeth.
Invisalign
Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that orthodontists use as an alternative to traditional metal braces.
Lingual Arch
A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch.
Mouth Guard
A device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouth guard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.
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.
Removable 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.
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.
Transpalatal Arch
A transpalatal arch (TPA) is a fixed anchorage unit that connect two molars in the upper dental arch.
