Bands

• The bands are the bands of metal that are cemented into place on the tooth. They provide a handle that is used to control each tooth.
  
  

Hooks

• Typically used to attach the rubber bands, the hooks are attachments that are used to apply force to the individual teeth or the archwire.
  
  

Archwire

• The archwire is the primary wire of the braces that fits within the brackets and provides the bulk of the pressure required to reposition the teeth. It also serves as a track for your teeth to move across.
  
  

Rubber Band

• Rubber bands are used for specific pressure that the archwire is unable to provide on its own. They are often referred to as "elastics."
  
  

Bracket

• The brackets are the attachments that carry the force of the archwire to your teeth. They are bonded directly onto the teeth.
  
  

Elastic Ligature

• These small rings are what attaches the brackets to the archwire. They are clear or colored and come in a variety of colors.