Which component is placed around molars to anchor the orthodontic appliance?

• A. Brackets
• B. Buccal tube
• C. Bands
• D. Bracket removers

Answer: (C)

Anchorage around the molars is achieved by bands because they wrap around the entire tooth and are cemented in place, providing a strong, stable anchor for the orthodontic appliance. Molars have the bulk and root surface necessary to hold cement securely and resist the forces from the archwire and elastics. Once a band is cemented around a molar, attachments like buccal tubes can be connected to it to guide the archwire, but the band itself is what serves as the anchor. Brackets are bonded to individual tooth surfaces and don’t encircle the tooth, so they’re not used to provide this kind of anchor. Tools used to remove brackets exist, but they don’t anchor the appliance. So the component placed around molars to anchor the appliance is the bands.