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Ortho Dictionary

Experience the Perfect Smile

Parts of Braces

Appliance:
Anything your orthodontist attaches to your teeth which moves your teeth or changes the shape of your jaw.

Archwire:
The metal wire that acts as a track to guide your teeth along as they move. It is changed periodically throughout treatment as your teeth move to their new positions.

Band:
A metal ring that is cemented to your tooth and goes completely around your tooth. Bands provide a way to attach brackets to your teeth and are only used on the side or back teeth.

Bond:
The seal created by a tooth-colored orthodontic adhesive that holds your braces in place.

Bracket:
A metal or ceramic brace bonded to your tooth that holds your archwire in place.

Coil Spring:
A spring that fits between your brackets and over your archwire to open space between your teeth.

Elastic (Rubber Band):
A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your brackets to provide pressure to move your teeth to their new position.

Elastic Tie:
The rubber band that fits around your brackets to hold the archwire in place. They come in a variety of colors.

Headgear:
Headgear uses an external wire apparatus known as a facebow to gently guide the growth of your face and jaw by moving your teeth into the proper position. The force is applied to the facebow by a spring-loaded neck strap or head strap. The straps have a safety release that disconnects if the facebow is pulled or snagged.

Headgear Tube:
A round, hollow attachment on your back bands. The inner bow of your headgear fits into it.

Hook:
A welded or removable arm to which elastics are attached.

Impressions:
An alginate impression is used in dentistry to retrieve an exact replica of the patient’s teeth, gingiva, and surrounding tissues in the mouth.

Ligature:
A thin wire that holds your archwire into your bracket.

Lip Bumper:
A lip bumper is an archwire coated with a molded piece of plastic. The lip bumper holds back the molars on your lower jaw to provide more space for your other teeth.

Mouthguard:
A device that protects your mouth from injury when you participate in sports or rigorous activities.

Palatal Expander:
A device that makes the upper jaw wider.

Retainer:
An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed, the retainer fits over your upper and/or lower teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable and others are bonded to the tongue-side of several teeth.

Separator or Spacer:
A small rubber ring that creates space between your teeth before the bands are attached.

Tie Wire:
A fine wire that is twisted around your bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Wax:
Wax is used to stop your braces from irritating your lips or cheeks.

Orthodontic Procedures

Banding:
The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.

Bonding:
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using special tooth-colored orthodontic adhesive.

Cephalometric X-ray:
An x-ray of your head that shows the relative positions and growth of the face, jaws, and teeth.

Consultation:
A meeting with your orthodontist to discuss the treatment plan. Our office offers this appointment at no charge.

Debanding:
The process of removing cemented orthodontic bands from your teeth.

Debonding:
The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth.

Impressions:
The process of making a model of your teeth by placing a soft material that hardens into a mold of your teeth.

Invisalign®:
An alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear custom-molded aligners. Invisalign can correct many orthodontic problems, but may not be appropriate for some cases.

Ligation:
The process of attaching an archwire to the brackets on your teeth.

Panoramic X-ray:
An x-ray that rotates around your head to take pictures of your teeth, jaw, and other facial areas.

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patient testimonials

What Our Patients Are Saying

Hear what our patients are saying about their experience with us!

Anna F.
What a team!! Even on the worst days the staff still makes you feel like family and helps you turn your frowns upside down. They take your smiles and help make them the best they can be while helping to build your confidence. Wondering why I waited so long to become a Romani patient!! They are taking incredible care of my son too!! Highly recommend Dr. Romani and team!! 10/10!!!
Eric B.
I am pleased to have chosen Romani Orthodontics! Great Dr., and staff. My appointment today was with Melissa it went smoothly. I am looking forward to my next appointment.
Renee R.
Melissa is very nice and chill. She’s easy to talk to and doesn’t hurt your mouth.
-Matteo
Ashley S.
Dr. Romani, along with Stacey and the entire team, offered us an outstanding experience that exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, their warm welcome and attentive service made us feel valued and cared for. Dr. Romani took the time to thoroughly explain the treatment plan and address all our concerns with patience and expertise. Stacey, with her kind demeanor and professionalism, ensured that we were comfortable and informed throughout our visit. Every member of the staff was dedicated, friendly, and went above and beyond to provide amazing service.
Patricia L.
Today I started a new set of aligners. James and Laura were great! They had everything prepped and made me comfortable. As always, Dr. Romani was fantastic with her gentle hand, kind positive words and advice. I was in and out quickly. They are a well oiled machine at Romani Orthodontics!
ABC RI L.
We have only had great experiences! The staff are wonderful. Stacey & Yaritza always keep the kids calm and laughing.
Juju C.
First of all, I have to say that everyone on the staff are so amazing and have made a huge scary (to me) situation so much better.<3

I had some complications in the beginning and Janice had the magic touch and completely solved an issue I had and that day I asked if I could always see her. Each person that have ever assisted me were fantastic, but Janice is my girl!

Dr. Romani is ridiculously understanding and kind and I'm so so happy I chose to come here. Thank you guyssss and I would always recommend a friend to see you! :)
Guillaume B.
Welcoming staff, extremely efficient, and very professional without feeling stuffy. Probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a dentist as a new patient.
Jacob G.
i love that everyone in the office is positive, relatable and passionite. melissa always finds a way to make me show of my smile
Nolan T.
Very quick with the appointment. They take great care of the customer and Laura was very helpful with scheduling the next appointment as well as efficiently working.
Teresa S.
My entire family is a patient of Dr. Romani. My youngest now usually sees Kim for treatment. Dr Romani and her staff are always so friendly and AMAZING to work with! Highly recommend! Last to be seen is my hubby!
Beth A.
Very professional and personable. Will answer any questions and takes the time to be sure you understand your plan.
Deborah B.
Yaritza made us feel like family with a tour of the Chepatchet office when we arrived since it was our first time here. ❤️
Ashley D.
From the beginning of my very first visit I’ve always had a great experience and felt so welcomed I absolutely love Kim she’s so kind and sweet, Over all I recommend this practice to anyone who is looking to get their perfect smile 👍 10/10 practice
Breanna M
From my first consult at Romani Orthodontics to the final results a year later, it has been a seamless process. I have nothing but positive feedback for Dr.Romani and her team. They are always so welcoming, friendly and very professional. I had the pleasure of seeing Melissa for several of my appointments. She had walked me through everything that would be done at that appointment and answered any questions I may have had. I am extremely happy with the results I have gotten from Invisalign and the great work from everyone at Romani Orthodontics. I would highly recommend them for anyone who is considering Invisalign.😁🦷
Julie R.
Dr Romani’s staff is always so professional and friendly. Dr Romani is very knowledgeable and explains the plan of care personally to you in a way you can understand. On our second child getting braces, and there is no where else we would go for orthodontics!
Melanie
Stacey is amazing. She Has a lot of fashion, she is so good with us when we are going over our teeth scheduling we love Romani Orthodontist
Lucy F.
i had janice and she was the sweetest ever, she talked me through the process of what she was doing and was extremely kind in the process. she even advocated for me asking the doctor when i was going to get my palette expander off which i completely forgot to ask. wonderful experience all around would highly recommend them 🫶🏻
Doug B.
Dr. Romani is transparent about the full treatment process, informing patients about what to expect and how to prepare. I always leave my appointments feeling confident and supported. All the staff are friendly, professional, and efficient but today Melissa was a real stand out!
Nirva L.
My son and daughter went to Romani for their braces, and we received nothing but the best. During every visit, they were very sweet and extremely helpful with questions. My children left with beautiful smiles that wouldn't have been possible without the Romani family.
Odile M.
I am so thankful to the team at Romani Orthodontics, and to my dentist who recommended the treatment initially. If Romani Orthodontics did not exist, we would have to invent it. In their state-of-the-art facility, easy on and off Broadway, Dr. Romani and her team treat each patient with professionalism and kindness. My treatment lasted a bit longer than planned and was followed through at the same financial rate as planned. The result is wonderful and better than I could have imagined. This was possibly my best dental experience ever.
Catherine C.
Great experience. Everyone in the office is friendly and helpful. Always got prompt response to my phone calls.
The doctors are attentive, explain everything well, answered all my questions and addressed my anxieties.
Getting Invisaligns is a long and sometimes complicated process. Romani Orthodontics made it as easy as possible. It's well worth the minor inconvenience of dealing with the bridge closure and the new Henderson Bridge.
Both my husband and I had Invisalign and we can't say enough good things about the practice.
Jen V.
Great experience today for my son's Orthodontic consult appointment. State-of-the-art equipment and presentation was impressive! I highly recommend Dr Romani for your child's Orthodontic needs!
Thank you!
Kay T.
From the moment I walked in Romani Orthodontics I felt comfortable. As an older adult getting braces was not an easy process but I am grateful for the caring and understanding of the staff, especially J, who helped me thru. I love how my teeth came out and appreciate all that Romani Orthodontics did to make that happen.
giselle T.
Treated me very well, absolutely love the orthodontists and nurses, they are all so sweet. I had 2 phases of braces and it went really well, never had any complaints!!
(ps. had my graduation day today!! sad and happy at the same time… but i’m glad i did it. braces are worth it!)
Michelle B.
I had an amazing experience with Dr. Romani and her team! From the first consultation to the final result, they were professional, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. The office is always welcoming, and appointments are efficient with minimal wait times. My treatment plan was clearly explained, and they made sure I was comfortable every step of the way. Now, I couldn’t be happier with my smile! I highly recommend Dr. Romani to anyone looking for top-notch orthodontic care!
Marqus B.
I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Romani Orthopedic. Staff was amazing including the Dr herself. I’m extremely happy with my results, no more crooked smile😁
Clarence I.
After bearing with an impacted tooth for over 10 years I was recommended Romani Orthodontics by my dentist. That was the best recommendation she could give me because they did a stellar job of not only moving my impacted tooth about half an inch into it's proper place but they also corrected my over-bite and aligned all my teeth perfectly! Their customer service also matches their level of expertise, I could not rate them highly enough. My smile has never looked so good!
Gary Z.
Dr. Romani and her staff are very personable and professional. The work on my teeth is excellent. I am glad that I have this Team. Gary Zimmer
Jennifer M.
TEN out of TEN. My son was treated with Invisalign. Despite the number of clients Dr Romani has she somehow pays such close attention to each patient and we always felt like we had her undivided attention. She was caring, gave excellent advice and we always trusted her. She’s an excellent doctor who isn’t just focused on the end result but also on your customer experience and I truly appreciate that. If you’re looking for an orthodontist this office is your answer. We interviewed multiple doctors before choosing Romani and I’m so grateful we made the right choice.
Brayden F.
My teeth have never been so straight! Everyone there was very kind, informative and made the experience a breeze overall. Highly recommend if you’re ever in need of orthodontic care.
Christopher F.
Dr. Romani and staff were awesome. I've had 2 of my kids work with them and they really engage with the kids and make the experience of getting braces as fun as possible. I highly recommend Romani Orthodontics.
Robin D.
I am 65 & decided, for the health of my teeth, to get Invisalign & was referred to Dr Romani in June. I can’t begin to say enough great things about Dr. Romani & her entire staff…they’re friendly, efficient & I feel like I’m amongst friends every time I go for an appt. Dr. Romani communicated the process clearly from the beginning, I’m ~1/2 way through my treatment & couldn’t be happier with my progress so far!! If you want a partner for you or your child’s orthodontic needs…I’d HIGHLY recommend Dr. Romani!
Polly H.
I am so pleased with the results of my Invisalign. I have received many compliments on my new smile. Dr. Romani and her staff were extremely professional and competent. Initially, the aligners and attachments on my teeth took some getting used to. The entire process has taken a pretty long time for me, but it has been 100 % worth it, and was amazed at how quickly my smile started to improve. I saw a real change after only about 10 weeks!
Mindalisa Torres S.
Dr Romani saved me from a bad experience I had with another dentist. My treatment only took a year and she was professional as well as her team throughout the whole process. The office is always clean and everyone there is respectful. I have never had an issue from beginning to my graduation of my braces. Thanks to her I can have confidence in my perfect smile!
Kimberly P.
My daughter had a great experience at the East Providence location. The made the process of getting braces painless.
Edmundo D.
A great and wonderful staff that me feel comfortable the whole time. Very friendly and professional.
Veeta E.
Dr Romani is able to find solutions for old teeth. As if I were her mother. Fantastic!
wswchen
My 8yo son has just started treatment for crowding, needing an expander and braces. He had one of the brackets become loose the day before Thanksgiving, and the staff/office went above and beyond to get him in before the holiday, even staying a little later than their scheduled office closing time, as his school bus was late in dropoff that day. I so much appreciate them, and he was able to enjoy his Thanksgiving weekend meals without worrying about a loose bracket. Thank you!
iambeautifullyflawed8
Romani Orthodontics provides AMAZING orthodontic services. The staff are professional, kind, compassionate, patient, and accommodating. We are very appreciative for the services and support that they have provided prior to my son having his braces, and now that he has them. I would recommend them to anyone seeking orthodontic care.
Alyana De J.
My Orthodontist was very friendly and was very fast and good at getting the job done during my appointment
Cara L.
I wish I had straightened my teeth sooner! I love the staff here at Romani Orthodontics! They explain everything and answer all my questions. Invisalign was very affordable and has made my perfected my smile!
Nicholas L.
Awesome office and staff! Special shout out to Dr. Romani and Kristen for being so helpful. My niece and nephews have received treatment with Dr. Romani and now my step daughters are receiving treatment here, best place for Orthodontic treatment.
Cary W.
The staff at Romani Orthodontics is great! They always make my daughter feel comfortable when she’s here. Her smile is going to be amazing when she’s finished her treatment.
Ellen M.
The whole team at Romani Orthodontics are kind, gentle and efficient. My child had some complex issues, and they have been addressed safely, compassionately and with manageable discomfort. We expect the braces may come off earlier than anticipated. Hooray!
Kat M.
This is a great practice that runs like a well oiled machine! They are always friendly and timely and their work is the utmost quality! Great communication and very helpful with questions. Would highly recommend Dr. Romani and her team!
mark B.
Dr Romani and her staff were an excellent choice for our daughter’s orthodontic needs. They are professional, friendly, and accommodating when it comes to appointments and emergencies when they come up. Would recommend them to anyone who needs orthodontic work.
Karen W.
I decided to get Invisalign with Dr Romani and her team. They came highly recommended to me from another patient who received traditional braces. The experience has been wonderful throughout the entire process. The office staff are wonderful, fun and kind. All phases of the process were explained thorougjly throughout this journey. Dr Romani advised what changes and adjustments needed to be made to yield the best outcome for me. I couldn't be happier with the smile I've always wanted to have! Thank you Dr Romani and team!!
Kiley S.
Practically grew up here… Great & super clean place, amazing staff always super nice and understanding. Definitely would recommend to anyone.
Sierra F.
My sisters and I all got our braces here, and we all had a great experience! I’ve gone back for retainer changes a few times since getting my braces off nearly a decade ago, and they’ve still always been so helpful!
Skyler L.
There so kind so understanding and I definitely recommend coming to see them for your kids braces
Jessica R.
Doctor Romani and her staff are wonderful. They take the time to walk you through everything and explain step by step the process. They truly care about their patients and making them comfortable with the process. I highly recommend them for all your orthodontic needs.
Yuki S.
I love my new smile. Thankful after years of having bad teeth since childhood, I can now smile more proudly.
Jen M.
Dr. Romani and her staff took fantastic care of my daughter. Being 14, she was extremely anxious about getting braces. They took their time with her, explained the process, and her teeth are beautiful. After completing treatment she struggled with her retainer being uncomfortable. Dr. Romani suggested that we switch to Invisalign she wears it every night without complaint!
Taylor J.
Dr. Romani and her team are absolutely fantastic! They totally exceeded my expectations and I couldn’t be happier with the results of my Invisalign. I had braces as a kid and I didn’t wear my retainers. So my smile needed almost all the work from scratch and Dr. Romani and her staff truly gave me a smile I am proud to show off! Thank you!!! 😁
Eric C.
Exactly what I expected, no hidden costs or upswell. The staff is very nice and the office operates in a very organized fashion.
Meredyth W.
Everyone here is so caring! That has really helped my daughter feel good about having orthodontia.
Mike A.
My wife got fitted for invisilign. I’m posting on behalf of my wife. Customer service was outstanding, they really care and go above and beyond. The results in her smile were amazing. Pricing were comparable to other places, and explained very well up front with no pressure. We highly recommend them.
Michelle B.
Pleasant experience with all members of the dental team are very friendly and professional, they made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process.
Cindy Z.
Dr. Romani and her staff are great! They make every visit stress free. If any problems or concerns arise they are quick to respond and flexible with options.
Christine W.
I had the pleasure of working with Doctor Romani and her staff for the care of my children and myself. Her knowledge and care are incomparable. She is patient and explained treatment plans with us and answered all our questions. I have had other health issues during my treatment which has caused many delays. Dr. Romani has been patient, kind and understanding about my situation. My children’s smiles and overall dental health are beautiful and they frequently receive compliments. I would recommend Dr. Romani to anyone looking for an orthodontist. She is the best!!
Melissa K.
The Chepachet Romani office is super organized, professional, super clean, friendly and provided my daughter a great start with her Invislyn aligned! It has been an excellent experience!
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Locations
  • 869 Broadway East
    East Providence, RI 02914
  • 1109 Putnam Pike
    Chepachet, RI 02814
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(401) 434-1127

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Types of Orthodontic Procedures

Orthodontic procedures can vary depending on the individual's specific needs. Some common types of procedures include traditional braces, Invisalign, headgear, retainers, and orthognathic surgery. Traditional braces consist of metal brackets that are glued to the teeth and connected by wires and rubber bands. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses clear aligners to gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Headgear is a device that attaches to the braces to apply external pressure to the teeth and jaws. Retainers are used after braces are removed to maintain the teeth's new position. Orthognathic surgery may be required for severe cases of misalignment to correct the jaw structure.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment can improve not only the appearance but also the functionality of the teeth and jaws. By straightening the teeth and aligning the bite, orthodontic treatment can improve chewing, speech, and overall oral health. Properly aligned teeth are also easier to clean, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, orthodontic treatment can boost self-confidence and improve overall well-being. Whether opting for traditional braces or Invisalign, the benefits of orthodontic treatment can have a lasting impact on one's quality of life.