Orthodontic Terms
Here is a list of common orthodontic terms. Knowing them will help you understand the treatment process.
A | B | C | D | E | F | H | I | L | M | O | P | R | S | T
A
Archwire - the main wire that is attached to the brackets and guides tooth movement.Auxiliaries - small pins or springs that fit into braces to help move a single tooth.Back To Top
B
Band - a ring of metal made to fit around an individual tooth. Usually they are only used on molars.Bond - the seal created by orthodontic cement to a tooth.Bonding Adhesive - a special adhesive used to affix a bracket to a tooth.Bracket - the brace that is attached to the tooth. Holds the archwire in place and controls tooth movement during treatment.Buccal Tube - a tube that is attached to the molar bands into which the archwire and sometimes headgear are inserted.Back To Top
C
Cement - a special adhesive used to hold a band onto the tooth.Closed Bite - a condition in which the upper teeth cover the lower teeth when biting down.Crossbite - a condition in which some of the upper teeth are inside the lower teeth when biting down.Crowding - too many teeth in too small a place.Back To Top
D
Dentition - the arrangement of the teeth.Drift - unwanted movement of teeth.Back To Top
E
Elastics (also called Rubber Bands) - small bands that are hooked from one tooth to another.Elastic Thread - a small strip of rubber covered with nylon thread. Usually left in place until the next appointment.Back To Top
F
Face Bow - two connected, curved wires that insert into molar tubes and rest outside of the mouth.Back To Top
H
Headgear - a cap or strap that fits over the head and connects to teeth by inserting wires into molar tubes.Head Plate - a large X-ray that shows teeth in relationship to the bones in the head.Back To Top
I
Impression - a mold that is made of the teeth when the patient bites into a modeling solution that has been placed in a special holding tray.Impression Tray - a mouth-shaped tray that holds impression material.Intermaxillary Hook - a small additional hook placed on the archwire. Used to hold elastics.Back To Top
L
Ligatures - elastic circles that hold the archwire onto individual brackets.Lingual Button or Hook - a small projection on the tongue side of a band. Used to hold small wires or rubber bands.Back To Top
M
Malocclusion - poor positioning of the teeth.Model - a plaster cast made of the patient´s teeth for treatment purposes.Back To Top
O
Occlusion - the alignment and spacing of upper and lower teeth when biting down.Open Bite - a condition in which the teeth do not close together when biting down.Overbite - a condition in which the upper teeth overlap vertically over the lower teeth.Overjet - a condition in which the upper teeth overlap horizontally over the lower teeth.Back To Top
P
Palatal Expander - a device used to widen the jaw to create additional room for teeth.Back To Top
R
Retainer - a hard plastic appliance used to hold the teeth in place following the removal of braces.Rotation - the action of turning a tooth along its long axis.Back To Top
S
Separators/Spacers - small pieces of rubber placed between teeth to create room for bands to be installed.Back To Top
T
Tipping - the action of moving a tooth from side to side.Torquing - the action of moving a tooth forward and backward.Torquing Auxiliary - a small, multi-looped wire that is usually applied to the four upper front teeth during the final stage of treatment.Typodont - a plastic model that shows the alignment of teeth.Back To Top
