Loose and/or broken appliances may occur from time to time during your active orthodontic treatment. It is important that you contact the team at Bel Air Orthodontics as soon as possible so that we can evaluate the urgency of the problem and schedule you to be seen accordingly for repair. When making that call, it is helpful to know the various parts of your braces so that you can explain your concerns to us in a clear manner.
So, lets review our diagram below to learn more about your braces.
- Bracket - Small attachments that are bonded to your teeth. Brackets hold the archwire in place .
- Band - Thin ring of metal fitted around the tooth and cemented in place. They carry tubes, hooks or rotating levers (in other words, they become a handle on your tooth).
- 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.
- Ligature Tie - The archwire is held to each bracket with a ligature, which can be either a tiny colored elastic or a twisted wire.
- Hook - Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.
- Rubber Bands - Elastic bands that are used to help tooth movement.
- Buccal Tube - Tube on the molar band that holds the end of the archwire.
If you have any questions about your appliances or your orthodontic treatment, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to give us a call for additional assistance.