Comprehensive Orthodontics
At Surrideo Orthodontics, our mission is simple: help patients throughout Calgary, AB and the surrounding areas achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through orthodontic treatment. We’re proud to offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments to our patients, and our orthodontist works closely with each patient to customize their treatment plan. But while we offer many convenient treatment options like Invisalign, metal braces are still a popular treatment that we offer – and if you’re curious to learn more about braces, understanding the various parts of braces is a great place to start.
What Parts Are Braces Made Of?
Braces are intricate, technologically-advanced appliances made from a variety of parts that work together to move the teeth. Here’s a list of the major parts of braces along with how they contribute to improving your smile:
BANDS
Bands are rings of tooth-colored metal that are placed around the back molars using dental cement. They act as an anchor point that allows the braces to move the rest of your teeth.
BRACKETS
Brackets are the small square metal pieces attached to the front of each tooth. Brackets hold the archwire and allow it to apply forces to each individual tooth to move it.
ARCHWIRE
The archwire is the thin, springy metal wire that runs through the brackets and applies pressure to the teeth to move them. Your archwire is carefully shaped by your orthodontist to apply a finely-calibrated force to each individual tooth and create your new smile.
ELASTICS
Elastics are tiny rubber rings that wrap around the brackets, holding the archwire in place.
HOOKS
For some patients, we’ll create brackets with hooks – essentially attachments that stick off the corner of a bracket. In these cases, we can attach a rubber band to the hooks to change the alignment of the jaws with braces.
COIL SPRING
Coil springs are tiny springs threaded over the archwire and placed between brackets. They apply outward pressure than can push teeth apart that are too close together.
Schedule a Consultation at Surrideo Orthodontics
The different parts of braces all work together to create precise changes in the alignment of your teeth, generating a brand new smile – and if you’re ready to achieve one for yourself, we’re here to help. Take the first step towards your new smile and consultation with us today. We’ll help you understand your orthodontic condition, choose the treatment that’s right for you, and start on the path towards a beautiful new smile. We can’t wait to hear from you!
