Orthodontic Dictionary

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.

A metal ring that is cemented to your tooth, going completely around it.

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

A metal or ceramic part cemented ( or bonded) to your tooth that holds your archwire in place.

A spring that fits between your brackets and over your archwire to open or hold space between your teeth.

A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your appliance to help with bite correction.

The tiny band that fits around your bracket. Ties come in a variety of colors.

An external wire apparatus which uses a facebow to gently guide the growth of your face and jaw by moving your teeth into proper position. The force is applied to the facebow by a spring-loaded neck strap or head strap. The straps have a safety release that disconnects if the facebow is pulled or snagged.

A round, hollow attachment on your back bands. The inner bow of your headgear fits into it.

A welded or removable arm to which elastics are attached.

A thin wire is placed around the bracket.

A device that protects your mouth from injury when you participate in sports or rigorous activities.

The palatal expanders used by your orthodontist to “expand” (or widen) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. The animation below will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.

A small rubber ring or metal spring that creates space between your teeth before the bands are attached.

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