Ace the Smile Squad Challenge 2026 – Orthodontic Assistant Exam to Brighten Your Future!

Orthodontic bands are designed primarily to anchor orthodontic appliances to the teeth. These metallic bands are custom-fitted to the patient's teeth, usually molars, and serve as a stable base to which brackets, wires, and other components of the orthodontic system can be attached. This anchorage is crucial, as it allows the orthodontist to exert controlled forces on the teeth in order to move them into the desired position, ultimately achieving proper alignment and occlusion.

Other uses for orthodontic bands, such as protecting teeth from decay or providing support for chewing, are not their primary functions. While they may indirectly contribute to oral health by creating proper spaces for cleaning and maintaining alignment, their main purpose centers on anchoring the components of the orthodontic treatment. Facilitating tooth extraction is not related to the function of orthodontic bands; instead, extractions are employed in orthodontic treatment based on specific clinical needs, independent of the bands themselves.