arch length is a measurement of the size of a dental arch (the curved line of teeth in the upper or lower jaw). It describes how much space is available along the arch to accommodate the teeth. It is commonly used in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry to evaluate crowding, spacing, and treatment needs. It can be measured on dental models, photographs, or digital scans during diagnostic records.
arch form is the overall shape and curvature of the dental arch (the arc made by the teeth) in the upper or lower jaw. It describes how wide, narrow, tapered, or rounded the arch looks when viewed from above. arch form is commonly used in orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and prosthodontics to plan how teeth should be aligned or rebuilt. It is also used in digital dentistry and lab work when designing aligners, braces, dentures, or smile designs.
An open coil spring is a small orthodontic spring made from coiled wire with visible spaces between the coils. It is commonly placed on an archwire between braces brackets or tubes. Its plain purpose is to create or maintain space between teeth during orthodontic treatment. It is most often used in fixed braces, and sometimes in combination with other orthodontic appliances.
A closed coil spring is an orthodontic spring made from a tightly wound metal coil with no intentional gaps between turns. It is commonly placed on a braces wire (archwire) between teeth to apply a controlled pulling force. Dentists and orthodontists use it most often to close spaces or bring teeth closer together. It may be made from stainless steel or nickel-titanium, depending on the desired force behavior.
elastic chain is a stretchy, linked band used in orthodontics to move teeth. It is usually made from an elastomer (commonly polyurethane) and comes in strips of connected “loops.” It is most often attached to braces brackets or hooks to help close spaces or fine-tune tooth positions. In simple terms, it works like a small, continuous rubber band that can pull teeth together.
power chain is a connected strip of small elastic rings used in orthodontics. It is most commonly placed on braces to help move teeth and close small spaces. It works by applying a continuous pulling force across multiple brackets. Clinicians may also use it to stabilize tooth positions during certain stages of treatment.
cross elastics are small orthodontic rubber bands used to guide teeth or jaws into a better side-to-side (transverse) relationship. They are typically worn between an upper tooth and a lower tooth, “crossing” the bite. They are most commonly used with braces or clear aligners when correcting certain types of crossbite. They work by applying light, continuous force to encourage controlled tooth movement over time.
vertical elastics are small orthodontic rubber bands worn between the upper and lower teeth. They are commonly used with braces and sometimes with clear aligners that have elastic hooks or attachments. Their plain purpose is to help the top and bottom teeth “meet” more evenly when biting together. They are most often used during the finishing stages of orthodontic treatment to refine the bite.
Class III elastics are small orthodontic rubber bands worn between upper and lower teeth to help correct a Class III bite relationship (often described as an “underbite” tendency). They are most commonly used with braces or clear aligners, attaching to hooks, buttons, or precision cuts. Their job is to apply a gentle, continuous pulling force in a specific direction (a “force vector”). The exact elastic size and wear plan varies by clinician and case.
Class II elastics are small orthodontic rubber bands worn between the upper and lower teeth. They are commonly used with braces or clear aligners to help correct a “Class II” bite relationship. In plain terms, they guide the upper and lower teeth (and sometimes the jaws) toward a better fit. They are typically hooked from an upper canine area to a lower molar area, depending on the plan.