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Functions of Different Parts of Your Braces

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braces-anatomy
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • August 17, 2022

 

IF YOU ARE or have been an orthodontic patient, you’ve probably wondered what the different parts of braces are for. Some patients just have the basics while others need special appliances to correct a more difficult problem. Let’s take a closer look.

The Foundation: The Brackets

The brackets are the anchor points that support the rest of the braces. We place them in very precise positions on the teeth so that the pressure of the archwire will push them in the right direction. It takes years of education beyond dental school to learn the best way to do this.

The Pressure: The Archwires

Archwires run through every bracket in an arch, and we choose the right material and thickness for what the patient’s treatment plan requires. They provide gradual, continuous pressure as they try to return to their original shape, guiding teeth towards their correct position. They are held together by the colorful (or, if you prefer, clear) ligatures or o-rings.

Having trouble picking your next o-ring colors? Try giving yourself a preview!

The Most Common Add-On: Elastics

Simple treatment plans won’t need anything beyond brackets, archwires, and o-rings, but the most common additions are elastics, which we use to correct malocclusions (bad bites). They bring the jaws into proper alignment, but they can only do so if the patient exactly follows the orthodontist’s instructions on how to wear them. Wearing too few will make treatment take longer, and so will wearing too many! Don’t try to speed your treatment up by wearing more than you should!

Other Common Braces Accessories

Sometimes there isn’t room to put braces on at first, so we may use spacers (small elastic rings placed between back molars to create enough room for the bands that will anchor your braces. This process can take up to 10 days.

Another common piece of hardware we use is a palatal expander. These correct narrow palates by bracing against the teeth and the roof of the mouth. They exert gradual outward pressure to help widen the palate to its proper shape, and they help with correcting crowding and crossbites. They often go in before the braces to make enough room for teeth to move into their correct positions.

Holding arches can be used when a child loses baby teeth too soon, to prevent the permanent teeth from shifting towards the gaps where their neighbors haven’t grown in yet. Holding arches for the upper jaw are called “Nance buttons.” For the lower jaw, they are called “lower lingual holding arches.”

Finally, we often use bite plates (acrylic, retainer-like appliances) to correct deep bites. Deep bites are when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth so much that the lower front teeth touch the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth. Bite plates make a barrier and help shift the teeth to reduce the overlap.

Let’s Move Those Teeth Into Place!

If you still have questions about what the different parts of your braces are for, don’t hesitate to ask us! We love informing our patients about how their treatment works, because it helps them understand the instructions we give so that they can make it to Braces Off Day on time!

You’re on the path to the smile you deserve!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Patient reviews

EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Rosetta J.
It is so nice at their new location! We were taken back before a game of tic tac toe was even finished. Staff was friendly with a lot of new faces and Dr. Siraella auro was very welcoming.
Sara H.
They are awesome. They explain what they are doing not only to patient but to patient’s parents. 10/10 recommended.
Sara H.
They are awesome. They explain what they are doing not only to patient but to patient’s parents. 10/10 recommended.
Ambria F.
All around most friendliest staff members there is . From the phones calls, going to the console appointment to finance staff and the doctors . And when my daughter got her braces on the ladies that was doing them explain everything and was gentle with her .i Recommend Holmes and Palmer as your orthodontist. If you need braces ..
Ambria F.
All around most friendliest staff members there is . From the phones calls, going to the console appointment to finance staff and the doctors . And when my daughter got her braces on the ladies that was doing them explain everything and was gentle with her .i Recommend Holmes and Palmer as your orthodontist. If you need braces ..
Carrie M.
We have had a great experience at the Teays Valley office. They are quick and efficient and super friendly. My daughter’s teeth are aligning and everything is going as planned. Thank you all so much! They’re great about fitting us in when necessary.
Carrie M.
We have had a great experience at the Teays Valley office. They are quick and efficient and super friendly. My daughter’s teeth are aligning and everything is going as planned. Thank you all so much! They’re great about fitting us in when necessary.
Kristie C.
The staff were always wonderful. They were all very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. Our appointments were usually quick without much wait and scheduling them was very flexible. I have nothing bad to say about them and would recommend them to anyone that needs a good orthodontist.
Kristie C.
The staff were always wonderful. They were all very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. Our appointments were usually quick without much wait and scheduling them was very flexible. I have nothing bad to say about them and would recommend them to anyone that needs a good orthodontist.
Cherlei A.
Staff is very good with kids! Very inviting and friendly atmosphere.Needed a quick change of appointment time and they made it happen!
Cherlei A.
Staff is very good with kids! Very inviting and friendly atmosphere.Needed a quick change of appointment time and they made it happen!
Bang M.
This location is well thought out and managed. The patients are asked to brush 🪥 prior to their appointment, which is great because teenagers usually have funky breath too. Not only is the staff Gorgeous but extremely polite and had the temperament to help a moody teenager go from not wanting to be there to requesting this be their location. Lots of comfortable, sturdy seating and Beautiful decor. I highly recommend.
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