The following are the most commonly used terms in orthodontics. If you have any questions about orthodontics or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
A
Archwire: A thin, flexible wire used in orthodontic treatment to guide teeth into their proper positions.
Alignment: The process of bringing teeth into proper position and alignment within the dental arch.
Appliance: Any device used in orthodontics to correct dental irregularities, such as braces, retainers, or space maintainers.
B
Brackets: Small attachments bonded to the teeth that hold the archwire in place during orthodontic treatment.
Bite: The way the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed; also known as occlusion.
Bonding: The process of attaching orthodontic appliances to the teeth using dental adhesive.
C
Crowding: A condition where there is insufficient space in the dental arch for all the teeth to fit properly.
Crossbite: A malocclusion where the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
Clear Aligners: Transparent, removable trays used to straighten teeth discreetly, like Invisalign®.
D
Diastema: A gap or space between two teeth, often seen between the front teeth.
Dentofacial Orthopedics: The branch of orthodontics that focuses on correcting facial growth imbalances.
Distalization: The process of moving a tooth away from the centerline of the mouth.
E
Elastics (Rubber Bands): Small elastic bands used to apply additional force to correct bite or jaw alignment.
Expanders: Appliances used to widen the upper or lower jaw to create more space for crowded teeth.
Eruption: The process of teeth breaking through the gums and becoming visible in the mouth.
F
Fixed Retainer: A permanent retainer that is bonded to the back of the teeth to prevent them from shifting after orthodontic treatment.
Functional Appliance: A type of orthodontic appliance used to modify jaw growth and correct skeletal discrepancies.
Frenectomy: Surgical procedure to remove a tight or thick band of tissue (frenum) that restricts tooth movement.
G
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease characterized by inflammation of the gums. It causes red, swollen, and sometimes bleeding gums but can be reversed with proper oral hygiene.
Lingual braces: Lingual braces are orthodontic braces placed on the inner surface of teeth, making them less visible from the outside.
Gumline: The edge of the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth.
H
Headgear: An external appliance that is worn to correct overbites and promote proper jaw growth.
Herbst Appliance: A fixed functional appliance used to treat underbite by encouraging lower jaw growth.
Hawley Retainer: A removable retainer made of acrylic and wire that holds teeth in their new positions after braces are removed.
I
Impression: A mold of the teeth and gums used to create custom orthodontic appliances.
Interproximal Reduction (IPR): A procedure where a small amount of enamel is removed between teeth to create space for proper alignment.
Invisalign®: A brand of clear aligners that offers an alternative to traditional braces for straightening teeth.
Implant Fixture: At the core of every successful dental implant is the intricately designed implant fixture.
J
Jaw: The bones that support the mouth, including the upper maxilla and the lower mandible.
J-Hooks: Elastics that attach to the braces to correct specific tooth movements or jaw alignment.
Joint: The area where the jawbone (mandible) connects with the skull (temporal bone), known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
K
Kyphosis: Excessive forward curvature of the upper back that may be related to an improper bite.
Keratinized Gingiva: The thick, tough gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and provides protection and support.
Kois Deprogrammer: A device used to relax jaw muscles and determine the correct jaw position before orthodontic treatment.
L
Lingual Frenectomy: The surgical removal of the frenum under the tongue to improve tongue movement and speech.
Ligature: A small elastic or wire used to hold the archwire in place on the brackets.
Lip Bumper: An orthodontic appliance that prevents the lower lip from pushing against the lower front teeth, creating space for crowded teeth.
M
Malocclusion: A misalignment of the teeth and/or jaws, which can lead to an improper bite.
Molar Band: A metal ring placed around a molar tooth to hold orthodontic attachments.
Mini Implants: Small screws placed in the jawbone to provide anchorage for tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.
N
Nightguard: A custom-made device worn during sleep to protect teeth from grinding (bruxism).
Nance Appliance: A fixed orthodontic appliance used to prevent the upper molars from moving backward.
Non-Extraction Treatment: Orthodontic treatment without removing any permanent teeth.
O
Overbite: The vertical overlap of the front upper teeth over the front lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
Open Bite: A type of malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth do not come together when the mouth is closed.
Orthognathic Surgery: Corrective jaw surgery is used to treat severe skeletal discrepancies that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone.
P
Palatal Expander: An appliance used to widen the upper jaw to correct crossbites and create more space for crowded teeth.
Panoramic X-ray: It’s a 2D X-ray that captures a broad view of the upper and lower jaws.
Periodontist: Dental specialists who focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases are known as periodontists.
Q
Quad Helix: A fixed appliance used to expand the dental arch to accommodate crowded or misaligned teeth.
Quick Fix Braces: Rapid orthodontic treatment options designed to align teeth in a shorter period compared to traditional braces.
Quadrant: One of the four sections of the mouth divided by an imaginary line running from the center of the mouth to the back.
R
Retainer: A custom-made appliance worn after orthodontic treatment to maintain teeth in their new positions.
Removable Appliance: An orthodontic device that can be taken out by the patient, such as a retainer or clear aligners.
Root Resorption: A natural process where the body breaks down the root of a tooth, sometimes observed during orthodontic treatment.
S
Space Maintainer: An orthodontic appliance used to hold space for a permanent tooth when a primary tooth is lost prematurely.
Self-Ligating Braces: Braces that use a specialized bracket design eliminating the need for elastic ligatures.
Splint: A device used to stabilize loose teeth or to protect teeth during orthodontic treatment.
T
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD): A condition involving pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles.
Torque: The rotational force applied to the tooth to control its position during orthodontic treatment.
Traction: The process of moving a tooth or group of teeth in a particular direction using orthodontic forces.
U
Underbite: A type of malocclusion where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when the mouth is closed.
Upper Dentition: The set of teeth located in the upper jaw, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Uprighting: The process of repositioning tilted or rotated teeth to an upright position.
V
Veneers: Thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-colored materials that are used to cover the front surface of teeth for cosmetic purposes.
Vertical Dimension: The height of the face and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws when the mouth is closed.
Vestibular Frenum: The band of tissue that connects the inner surface of the upper or lower lip to the gum tissue.
W
Wax Bite: A soft, pliable material used to take an impression of the teeth in the opposing jaw to check how the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Wire Sequence: The specific order and sizes of archwires used during orthodontic treatment to achieve tooth movement.
Wisdom Teeth: The third set of molars that typically erupt at the back of the mouth in late adolescence or early adulthood.
X
X-Ray: A form of electromagnetic radiation used in orthodontics to obtain images of the teeth, jaw, and facial structure.
Xerostomia: Dry mouth, a condition that may be exacerbated during orthodontic treatment and can increase the risk of dental issues.
Xylitol: A natural sugar substitute found in certain sugar-free chewing gums that can help prevent tooth decay.
Y
Yellow Springs Aligner: An alternative orthodontic appliance that applies gentle pressure to teeth using specially designed springs, without using brackets or wires.
Young’s modulus: A measure of the stiffness of an orthodontic appliance or material used in braces.
Youthful Smiles: The benefits of orthodontic treatment, which can contribute to a more confident and youthful appearance.
Z
Zygomatic Bone: A facial bone located above the upper molars and forming part of the cheekbone structure.
Zygomatic Arch: The bony bridge formed by the zygomatic bone that extends from the cheek to the ear.
Zirconia Braces: Orthodontic brackets made of zirconia, a tooth-colored material that blends with the natural color of teeth, making them less noticeable.
