They act like handles to hold the teeth on the archwires. They can be clear or silver. Archwires are thin wires that connect between all of the teeth and apply light pressure to teeth and provide movement. Elastics are rubber bands that connect the upper and lower braces. They apply pressure to move upper teeth against lower teeth and improve the bite.
Elastics come in many colors and sizes.
Click here for more information on elastics. Bands are metal rings that go around the back teeth. They hold the brackets and archwires on the back teeth where most driving forces are applied. Ties are small rubber rings or fine wires that fasten archwires to brackets. They can be clear, silver, or colored.