Friday, August 28, 2009

Braces 101 From Wise Orthodontics

Should you need to call Wise Orthodontics in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.


Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

--Wise Orthodontics

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Summer Fun with Wise & Stonebridge Orthodontics!



Its summer here at Wise Orthodontics, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbeque, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

-From Wise Orthodontics

Friday, August 14, 2009

Wise & Stonebridge Orthodontics Around the Web



If you've ever visited us at Wise Orthodontics, you already know that Dr. Wise and the rest of the team love connecting with their patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Wise Orthodontics is on many other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Become a "fan" of Wise Orthodontics on Facebook

* View and comment on our photos on MySpace

See you around the web!

--Wise Orthodontics

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Myths and Facts of Orthodontics, from Dr. Wise



There are quite a few myths about orthodontists circulating around. Before you buy into those myths, you should get the facts! We came across a great site that helps set the record straight. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have some excellent information on the myths and facts of orthodontists, check them out today!

Hope this helps,

--Wise Orthodontics