Parts Of Braces

Understanding the different components of your braces will help you understand your orthodontic journey. Dr. Maryam Mojdehi-Barnes is here to walk you through the process. All parts of braces and other orthodontic attachments serve a special purpose from activating the wires to correcting your bite. The main parts of braces are the bands, brackets, archwires, elastics, hooks, and coil springs. Click each button below to learn more and watch a quick informative video.

Bands

Bands are a ring of metal which fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest-fitting band. The bands are sealed into position using dental cement that contains fluoride to prevent any decalcification during treatment.

Brackets

Brackets hold the archwire against each tooth, and the archwire fits into a slot in the bracket. Brackets may be attached directly to each tooth or to a band.

Archwire

The main wires, known as archwires, are shaped specifically to fit around the arch of the teeth. The archwire fits into a slot in each bracket. Teeth are moved by the pressure that is applied by the braces, and that pressure comes from the archwire, which guides tooth movement.

Elastic or O-ring

An elastic or O-ring is the tiny rubber ring that ties the archwire into the bracket.

Hook

Hooks are small attachments on brackets that are used to attach rubber bands for added pressure.

Coil Spring

A coil spring fits over the archwire between two brackets. It pushes the two brackets apart, creating space between those two teeth.

Contact Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultations

Dr. Mojdehi-Barnes is here to help you decide which treatment options are best for your orthodontic needs and answer any questions you have about the process. The practice of Allen Orthodontics is conveniently located off of US-75 in Allen, TX. Schedule your appointment by calling our office at 972-390-1100, submitting a contact form, or using our consultation form. We look forward to hearing from you!