Archwire
Archwire is a metal wire that is inserted into the braces that causes or guides your teeth to move.
Appliance (fixed)
A fixed appliance is anything your orthodontist cements into your mouth, that allows your teeth or jaws to move/change. For example: braces or palatal expander.
Appliance (removable)
A removable appliance is something that can be taken in and out of your mouth yourself. For example: a retainer.
Band
Band is a metal ring that surrounds the tooth, that is cemented in. They provide a way of attaching brackets as well as appliances to your teeth.
Bond
Bond is a seal created by orthodontic cement that holds your appliance/brackets in place.
Bracket
Bracket is a metal or ceramic part cemented “bonded” to your teeth that holds your archwire in place. Brackets can be made out of metal or ceramic.
Coil Spring (open)
Coil Spring (open) is a spring that fits on the archwire between two brackets to open space between your teeth.
Coil Spring (closed)
Coil Spring (closed) is a spring that fits on the archwire between the brackets to hold space.
Elastic Donuts
Elastic Donuts are tiny rubber bands that fit around the bracket to hold the archwire in place. Thesecome in a variety of colours.
Elastics (rubber bands)
Elastics (rubber bands) are prescribed by the orthodontist for the patient to wear to move teeth in one arch with respect to teeth in the other arch.
Impressions
Impressions are a soft material within a tray used in order to make a model/imprints of your teeth. Your orthodontist uses these impressions to prepare your treatment plan or to make custom appliances.
Ligature Tie
Ligature Tie is a thin wire that holds your archwire into the bracket.
Separator/Spacer
Separator/Spacer is a small rubber ring that creates space between the teeth before the bands are attached.