Emergencies happen, and we get that. Our office takes every precautionary measure to prevent them, but we all know sometimes dilemmas rear their ugly heads! If you ever have an issue with your braces and you need to call us, we can be more effective in ameliorating the situation if we know exactly which piece is giving you trouble. Use this handy dandy diagram and the corresponding list to help identify your predicament. Your smile will thank you!
Elastic Tie– Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.
Archwire– The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It is changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.
Loop in Archwire– Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires do not have a loop.
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 are attached.
Elastic– Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.
We hope this helps! Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions!
Dr. Brian Thurman has spent his entire life enjoying all the beauty that California has to offer. A Fresno native, he still escapes to the ocean or the mountains whenever his busy schedule allows. Driven by his love for natural beauty, Dr. Thurman enjoys creating beautiful smiles and healthy bites that last a lifetime. He is proud to be the only Ivy League trained Orthodontist in the Fresno/Clovis area.