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The Parts of Your Braces

• Arch wire: Wire running between braces which exerts pressure to move teeth.
• Band:  A ring surrounding an anchor molar tooth in the back of the mouth.
• Bracket:  A small stainless steel or ceramic brace glued to the face of the tooth. The arch wire passes through the slot of the bracket.
• Coil Spring: A small spring placed around the arch wire to either maintain or increase space between teeth.
• Elastic Tie: Clear, colored, or silver "doughnut." These ties hold the wire in place.
• Expansion Appliance: An appliance placed in the palate used to widen the arch.
• Hook: A part of the bracket or band used for attachment of the rubber bands.
• Ligature Tie: A very thin wire wrapped around a bracket holding the arch wire into its slot.
• Rubber Band: A clear band that is strung from the "hooks" between the upper and lower teeth.

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