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Braces

Bonded Brackets

Brackets are "bonded" or "glued" directly to your tooth and cover less area of the teeth, instead of putting bands on the teeth to hold the brackets in place. We use bonded brackets generally on all teeth, except the back molars.

Bands

These are thin bands of metal, carefully fitted to the tooth and then cemented in place. They give us a way to grasp and control each individual tooth. Bands are generally used on the molars.

Arch wire

This is the main wire that fits into the brackets or other attachments, on the outside of your teeth. This is fastened to your brackets by tie wires, or small plastic "A 1's". The arch wire acts as a guide or track along which the teeth are to be moved.

Headgear tube

The headgear fits into the large tube on the back molars.

Rubber bands

These provide a force that helps teeth move, usually employing one arch or group of teeth against the other.

Tie wire

These are the funny little wires that fasten your arch wire to the brackets. They are twisted, leaving a small "pigtail," or twisted wire, which is then tucked under the arch wire. Sometimes, in eating or brushing, this may become bent outward and form a little sticker. If this happens, push it back under the arch wire.

Ties

Individual rubber rings, we sometimes call "ties" or A1's. These are used to tie the wires into the brackets and come in MANY designer colors! You choose your colors at each appointment, as the A1's are changed at each visit.