What is this in my mouth?!

[KatieMiller]

I posted this on another thread, but figured I would make a topic as well. I have this extra little flat metal, coil area... does anyone have an idea of what it is? I don't have an ortho appointment (my first adjustment... eek!) for 2 1/2 more weeks. I feel a little dumb, like I should know what it is, but it doesn't hurt to ask you all

[Mimo1985]

I dont know for sure - but its a coil right? The only thing Ive seen in YouTube vids is people have those coils to push apart the teeth to make room.
I could be wrong!

[Mimo1985]

PS - Your purple bands are so cute!

[SinkFullOfDinner]

If it's a coil, then it's a coil. But that seems like an odd location to put a coil since it looks like the tooth to the left must rotate toward the coil, not away from it to create space. You said it's also flat, right? Hard to tell, but could it just be a "crimp" the ortho placed to keep the archwire from sliding? My ortho puts little "crimp tubes" on the archwire and then squeezes them flat so they stay in place. Usually they look smoother though and not anything like a coil, so I dunno.

[KatieMiller]

I was thinking it's an odd location for a coil as well, because I can't see why I would need more space right there either. To me it looks like the tooth just needs some rotation? The flat piece of metal is attached to the coil. I still can't find any info on it. It isn't bothering me at all, I am just curious!

And thank you! I love the purple! I didn't think I would, as I was trying to keep them less obvious, but I think the color is so fun, especially in contrast with my ceramic brackets. It makes my teeth seem whiter as well, but that could be because my ligs aren't stained anymore

[carrieann]

I have a coil to keep space, not create. Maybe it's a baby coil.