The world of orthodontics can be a little overwhelming at first. Take a moment to review these terms that you’ll most likely hear throughout treatment. We’re always here to answer any questions you may have.
Appliance
Anything your orthodontist attaches to your teeth that moves your teeth or changes the shape of your jaw.
Archwire
The metal wire that acts as a track to guide your teeth as they move. It is changed periodically throughout treatment as your teeth move to new positions.
Band
A metal ring that is cemented to your tooth by going completely around it. They provide a way to attach brackets to your teeth.
Banding
The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.
Bond
The seal created by orthodontic cement that holds your appliances in place.
Bonding
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using special orthodontic cement.
Bracket
A metal or ceramic part cemented (or “bonded”) to your tooth that holds your archwire in place.
Cephalometric X-Ray
An X-Ray of your head that shows the relative positions and growth of the face, jaws, and teeth.
Coil Spring
A spring that fits between your brackets and over your archwire to open space between your teeth.
Consultation
A meeting with your orthodontist to discuss a treatment plan.
Debanding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic bands from your teeth.
Debonding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth.
Elastic (Rubber Band)
A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your appliance to provide pressure to move your teeth to a new position.
Elastic Tie
The tiny rubber band that fits around your bracket to hold the archwire in place. They come in a variety of colors.
Headgear
An appliance that uses an external wire apparatus known as 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.
Headgear Tube
A round, hollow attachment on your back bands where the inner bow of your headgear fits into.
Hook
A welded or removable arm to which elastics are attached.
Impressions
The process of making a model of your teeth by biting into a soft material that hardens into a mold of your teeth. Your orthodontist will use these impressions to prepare your treatment plan.
Invisalign®
An alternative to traditional braces that straightens your teeth with a series of clear custom-molded aligners. Invisalign can correct some, but not all, orthodontic problems.
Ligation
The process of attaching an archwire to the brackets on your teeth.
Ligature
A thin wire that holds your archwire into your bracket.
Lip Bumper
An archwire attached to a molded piece of plastic. The lip bumper holds back the molars on your lower jaw to provide more space for your other teeth.
Mouthguard
A device that protects your mouth from injury when you participate in sports or vigorous activities.
Palatal Expander
A device that makes your upper jaw wider.
Panoramic X-Ray
An X-Ray that rotates around your head to take pictures of your teeth, jaw, and other facial areas.
Retainer
An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed that attaches to your upper and/or lower teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable, while 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.
Tie Wire
A fine wire that is twisted around your bracket to hold the archwire in place.
Wax
A material that is used to stop your braces from irritating your lips.
