![]() Dr. Peter Gold
http://orthoforadults.com/toronto/tipsappliance.html#top |
Pictured here is what we would call a regular bracket. It is the type which was most commonly used in the past, in which the wire (which spans between all teeth which we desire to be moved) fits into the grove in the center of the bracket. An elastic band is then twisted tightly about the bracket in order to hold the wire on. Regular brackets also come in clear and enamel-colored versions so that they are less noticeable if one so desires. |
![]() Dr. Peter Gold
http://orthoforadults.com/toronto/tipsappliance.html#top |
This is a new type of bracket that has begun to be used in the last few years and is called the "Damon System" type bracket. This type of bracket is generally preferred over the normal bracket for a few different reasons. This type has a built-in spring and low-friction system, thereby allowing for faster movement of teeth and therefore a shorter length of treatment for the patient. They are also smaller than normal brackets, making them both less noticeable and also more comfortable. It has also been shown that they are easier to clean than the normal brackets as they have no rubber band to trap in bacteria, therefore allowing for better oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. |
![]() Dr. Habib Zarifeh
http://www.habibzarifeh.com/diagnois.htm |
Elastics can be used for a variety of different purposes in the world of orthodontics, and are most commonly used in order to change the positioning of a particular tooth or the alignment of the top and bottom jaws. The elastics themselves are small rubber bands shaped in a loop. This loop can then be hooked on a tiny metal hook which is attached to the bracket and can span the top and bottom jaws, as seen in this photo to the right (you can also see that the brackets in this example are the normal ones with a colorful rubber band holding the wire in the bracket). |
![]() Courtesy of
onedollardentist.com
http://www.onedollardentist.com/bracesretainers.html |
As described by their name, palatal expanders are used in the interest of expanding the palate in order to accomplish different goals. This device may be used in situations where the teeth are crowded in order to make the jaw wider so that there is more room for these teeth to come into alignment. It may also be used in situations where the top jaw is more narrow than the bottom, thereby correcting the bite so that the top and bottom teeth match up. |
![]() http://www.whitersmiles.com/gallery03.php |
I have provided here an example to illustrate what braces can accomplish. You can also see here, in these photographs, how the teeth eventually moved into the shape of the wire due to the pressure that was applied to them throughout treatment. |