Metal Mouth Message Board

The last two times I had my wires switched, the ortho put tiny little metal bits onto the wires. Any idea what these are or what they do? They look like little crimps; this lat time they only put one between my bottom front teeth but I've had them on top too. I have had self-ligating brackets since mid-December.

I had something similiar I think...do they look like metal stoppers that prevent the wire from moving? If so, mine were to keep the wire in place. I think I had one on the top and one on the bottom, closer to the front teeth.

I have two of them and I recall the office calling them "activator's". Mine are placed on next to a spring that I have on my upper arch. The spring wasn't opening up space very quickly, but once those activator's were put in place, the space opened right up.

I have 3 of these, 2 on either side of one tooth on the top and one on the bottom. I believe the tech called them crimps as well and said they were to stop the wire from moving either way for that particular area.

When I first got my braces on I had one between my two front teeth and one on the bottom. Now I've got two on the top (not between the front teeth though) and they're right next to each other, which I thought was a bit odd. I've also got one on the bottom too. I wonder how they determine where to put them?

These are stops and can be doing a variety of things depending on their placement. The metal pieces are indeed crimped onto the wire. They can prevent the wire from moving, be used to activate the wire, prevent ends of wires from poking, help advance certain teeth etc. Since there are so many possible functions, it is best to ask your orthodontist about your particular case. Hope this is helpful!