Appliance
Anything the orthodontist attaches to your teeth to move your teeth or to change the shape of your jaw.
Archwire
A metal wire, which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.
Alastik™
Alastic™ Easy-To-Tie Ligatures are small rubber bands designed with a 45-degree bend that are hooked on brackets to hold the archwire in place.
Band
A metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your braces.
Bracket
A metal or ceramic part that is glued onto a tooth and serves as a means of fastening the archwire.
Buccal Tube
A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. The molar band contains slots to hold arch wires, lip bumpers, facebows and other appliances, which may be used to move your teeth.
Chain
A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.
Mouthguard
A device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouthguard is especially important for orthodontic patients to prevent injuries.
Palatal Expanders
A device used to make your jaw wider.
Retainer
A plastic removable appliance used to maintain your teeth in the correct positions after braces have been removed.
Separator
An elastic ring used to create space between your teeth for bands.
Wax
Applied to the braces as needed to minimize irritation to your lips and tongue.