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Orthodontist's Tools

Provided by: Dentpedia Network

  • Band Remover: a special plier which the orthodontist uses to remove bands from your teeth.

  • Bite Stick: A device the orthodontist uses to help put on your bands. The orthodontist puts the band in place, then asks you to bite down on the bite stick to help push the band in place.

  • Cheek Retractors: small plastic pieces used to draw back your lips and cheeks so the orthodontist can more easily see your teeth and work in your mouth.

  • Curing Light: a special light used to harden the glue.

  • Distal End Cutter: a special plier used to cut off the ends of your arch wires.

  • Mathieu Plier: a special plier which locks when it closes so it holds on to small parts.

  • Ligature Cutter: a special plier used to cut off archwires and ligatures.

Parts of your braces

  • Appliance: anything the orthodontist attaches to your teeth to move your teeth or to change the position of your jaw.

  • Arch Wire: a metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.

  • Band: a metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your orthodontic appliance.

  • Bracket: a metal or ceramic part that is glued onto a tooth and serves as a means of fastening the arch wire.

  • Chain, Orthodontic power chain: a stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth resulting in closing spaces.

  • Ligating module: a small plastic piece, shaped like a donut, which is used to hold the arch wires in the brackets on your teeth.

  • Mouthguard: a device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouthguard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.

  • Palatal Expander: a device used to make your jaw wider.

  • Retainer: an appliance that the orthodontist gives you to wear after removing your braces. The retainer attaches to your teeth and holds them in the correct position. Retainers can be either fix or removable.

  • Seperator: a plastic or metal part which the orthodontist uses to create space between your teeth for bands.

  • Wax: a clear wax used to prevent your braces from irritating your lips when your braces are first put on, or at other times.

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