The arch wire is the key component of your braces that actually moves your teeth. It is secured to the brackets using small elastic rings called ligatures or elastic donuts. Throughout your treatment, the arch wire will be adjusted and changed to gradually guide your teeth into their ideal positions.
Brackets are the small attachments bonded directly to the surface of your teeth. They serve as anchors for the arch wire.
Elastics are worn during treatment to help coordinate the movement of your upper and lower teeth and perfect your bite. Teeth respond quickly and comfortably to the consistent use of elastics. However, wearing elastics intermittently increases soreness and slows treatment progress. Always wear elastics as instructed, remove them only when brushing, and replace them as directed (usually once or twice daily).
Often called a “night brace,” headgear is used to correct jaw protrusions by controlling the growth of the upper or lower jaw or guiding teeth into better positions. It works by either limiting forward or downward growth or encouraging forward movement of certain teeth, depending on your specific needs.
Malocclusion refers to poor positioning of the teeth and bite. There are three main types:
Types of Malocclusion
Class I
The bite is normal (upper teeth line up with lower teeth), but teeth may be crooked, crowded, or rotated.
Class II
The upper teeth protrude beyond the lower teeth.
Class III
The lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth, also known as an “underbite.”
Occlusion describes how your upper and lower teeth align and meet when you bite down. Common types include:
Openbite
A vertical gap exists between the upper and lower front teeth when biting.
Overbite
The term used to describe how much the upper teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth.
Overjet
The term used to describe how far the upper teeth project horizontally beyond the lower teeth.
Crossbite
One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth; this can occur at the front or back of the mouth.
O rings are small elastic rings that attach the arch wire to the brackets. They come in clear, gray, and a variety of fun colors, allowing patients to customize the look of their braces. O rings are replaced at every appointment to ensure proper attachment of the arch wire.
A separator is a small plastic or rubber ring placed between your teeth to create space for orthodontic bands. Your orthodontist will place separators a few days before fitting the bands.
