Braces Diagram
At Orthodontics of Burien, we’re committed to providing patients in the greater Seattle, WA area with quality orthodontic treatment. Dr. Jorge Peralta and his dedicated staff work hard to ensure that every patient receives the high level of care that they deserve. We also believe that educating our patients on some of the basic points of orthodontic treatment leads to better results. Below is a diagram featuring the different parts of the braces that Dr. Peralta uses. We encourage you to read and learn more about how the parts of your braces actually work together to straighten and perfect your smile!
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Elastic Tie
Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.
Loop in Archwire
Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.
Archwire
The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.
Bracket
Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.
Headgear Tube
Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.
Coil Spring
Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.
Tie Wire
Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.
Band
A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.
Hook
Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.
Elastic (Rubber Band)
Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.
Elastic Tie
Elastic ties are small rubber bands that are hooked between different points on the appliances to provide the necessary pressure to move teeth into proper alignment.
Loop in Archwire
These loops are frequently used for closing space left by the extraction of a tooth. Many archwires don’t have a loop.
Archwire
The archwire is the main wire and it acts as a track to guide the movement of teeth along. It’s changed periodically throughout treatment as teeth align to their new positions.
Bracket
A bracket is a small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Usually a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth’s surface, which eliminates the need for a band.
Headgear Tube
This tube is a round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.
Coil Spring
The coil spring fits between brackets and over the archwire to open space between teeth.
Tie Wire
The tie wire is a fine piece of wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.
Band
A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the bracket to a tooth
Hook
Used to attach elastics (rubber bands). They can be either welded or removable.
Elastic (Rubber Band)
A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance in order to provide the necessary pressure to move teeth into their desired alignment.
Contact Our Burien, WA Orthodontic Office
If you have any questions about braces or any orthodontic appliances and treatments like Invisalign, please don’t hesitate to contact our Burien, WA orthodontic office. Our friendly staff is happy to answer any questions you may have, or to help you schedule an appointment with Dr. Peralta. We look forward to hearing from you!