In fixed appliances, which component is typically bonded to teeth to engage the archwire?

In fixed appliances, which component is typically bonded to teeth to engage the archwire?

• A. Ligatures
• B. Spiral spring
• C. Brackets
• D. Buttons

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the tooth-bonded element that actually interfaces with the archwire is the bracket. Brackets are bonded directly to enamel and have a slot that receives the archwire. This is what allows the wire’s forces to move the teeth when it’s held in place—either with ligatures (elastic or wire) or with a self-ligating clip. The other items are parts used with the system to manage or transmit those forces, but they are not the component that is bonded to the tooth to engage the archwire.

The main idea is that the tooth-bonded element that actually interfaces with the archwire is the bracket. Brackets are bonded directly to enamel and have a slot that receives the archwire. This is what allows the wire’s forces to move the teeth when it’s held in place—either with ligatures (elastic or wire) or with a self-ligating clip. The other items are parts used with the system to manage or transmit those forces, but they are not the component that is bonded to the tooth to engage the archwire.