Common Orthodontic Terms: Do You Know What They Mean?

Learn Exactly What Your Dentist is Talking About

It’s not uncommon for you to be confused about certain words or terminology that your dentist may use during consultations or appointments. After all, your orthodontist is a trained medical professional who is well versed in these subjects. If you ever feel confused or unsure of what they are explaining, never hesitate to ask! However, it never hurts to read up on what some of these words means so you can be sure to ask the right questions.

Common Terms Your Orthodontist May Use

Whether you already have braces or are considering having some type of orthodontic procedure performed, it is more than likely you will hear these words being used often. When your dentist is explaining the process of getting braces and caring for them, it is extremely important that you fully understand in order to properly care for your braces and overall dental health. Dr. Beaufils believes familiarizing yourself with some common terms can be a great way to better comprehend how braces work.

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• Appliance: This is a general term that refers to any part involved in the orthodontic procedures.
• Archwire: On traditional braces, this is the metal wire that ties into all of the brackets. It forces the teeth to move into the desired alignments.
• Bands: This band, typically made of metal, is wrapped and cemented around the tooth. These are used to attach brackets to your teeth.
• Bond: The seal your orthodontist creates to hold your appliances in place.
• Bracket: This is the metal (or ceramic, in some cases) piece that is either connected to the bands or directly bonded to your teeth. The brackets hold the archwire in place.
• Coil spring: This is a small spring that is intended to open space between your teeth when necessary. It fits between your brackets and over your archwire.
• Elastic bands: These are essentially tiny rubber bands that are attached to the hooks around the bracket. These help the teeth make their way towards their permanent, straightened position.
• Hook: These can be elastic or welded to your brackets. The elastics are attached to them in order to coax the teeth into place.
• Ligature: This is the wire that holds your archwire to your brackets. It is typically in the form of a small elastic or a twisted wire.
• Retainer: This appliance will be a huge part of life once your braces are removed. It is used to hold the permanent position of your newly straightened teeth in the desired place.
• Spacer or Separator: This is a small rubber ring that is used to create necessary spaces between your teeth prior to the bands being attached.
• Wax: Wax is not an appliance, but rather a soothing treatment that is applied to the braces to stop them from irritating your lips.

Living Life With Braces

Getting braces on your teeth does not have to be an unhappy experience! When you take on the process with a compassionate, hands-on orthodontist like Dr. Lloyd Beaufils, we make sure you are comfortable every step of the way. Our attentive and knowledgeable team of dental assistants and administrators are here to residents of Cooper City and the surrounding areas with any orthodontic questions or concerns you may have. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Beaufils, contact our office at 954-252-1390.