Orthodontic Terms

Appliances

Anything the orthodontist attaches to your teeth to move your teeth or to change the shape of your jaw.
Banding

The process of cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.
Braces

A device used in orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person's bite. They are often used to correct malocclusions such as underbites, overbites, cross bite and open bites, deep bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural.
Bonding

The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using a special safe adhesive.
Cephalometric X-Ray

An x-ray of the head that shows if your teeth are aligned and growing properly.
Consultation

A meeting with your orthodontist where he/she discusses your treatment plan.
Orthodontic Photographs

Pictures taken upon the completion of treatment show the amazing changes that the orthodontics has achieved in both growth and development of the teeth, jaws and aesthetics of the smile. The orthodontist uses the pictures throughout treatment to monitor changes
Debonding

The removal of cemented orthodontic brackets.
Extractions

Removal of primary or permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.
Interceptive Treatment

Orthodontic treatment that is usually done between the ages of 6 and 10. The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to provide orthopedic intervention, so that later orthodontic treatment goes quicker and is less painful.
Interproximal reduction (IPR)

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the removal of small amounts of outer enamel tooth surface between two adjacent teeth. It is a means to acquire additional space to create ideal tooth alignment. Alternative names include: slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction, and reproximation.
Oral Hygiene

Effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during braces. Regular visits to the general dentist for examination and cleaning are also essential. The results of inadequate oral hygiene include decalcification (white spots/marks), gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), and periodontal disease (inflammation leading to bone loss).
Orthodontic Adjustment

An evaluation of your progress where your wires may be changed to keep your treatment on track and moving forward.
Orthodontic Records

These records, which include cephalometric and panoramic x-rays, digital photos and study models, help your orthodontist determine what treatment needs to be done.
Panoramic X-Ray

A x-ray taken by a machine that rotates around your head to give your orthodontist a picture of your teeth, jaws and other important information.
Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is surgery performed on the bones of the jaws to change their positions. It may be considered for functional, cosmetic, or health reasons. It is surgery commonly performed on the jaws in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, which straightens the teeth.
Two-Phase Treatment

Two phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and esthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.
Emergenices

Do not occur very often, but if they do, your orthodontic office will respond quickly
Impressions

The first step in making a model of your teeth. You bite into a container filled with a rubber-type material. That material hardens to produce a mold of your teeth.
Transpalatal Bar

The Transpalatal Bar (TPA) is a fixed appliance that is attached to bands on the upper molar teeth. The bar that sits across the roof of the palate fits into a soldered clip located on the bands.
Thumb Crib

This simple device given to address severe thumb/finger sucking habit. It involves using a wire crib attached to two back braces and fixed.
Headgear

A removable appliance worn to restrict growth of the upper jaw and improve overjet problems. It normally consists of a facebow that attaches to the teeth and a strap that fits around the neck or head.
Hawley Retainer

Hawley retainer includes a metal wire that surrounds the teeth and keeps them in place. Named for its inventor, Dr. Charles Hawley, the labial wire, or Hawley bow, incorporates 2 omega loops for adjustment. It is anchored in an acrylic arch that sits in the palate (roof of the mouth).
Aligners

Aligners are a sequence of clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth both orthodontists and dentists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces to straighten them.
Lingual Arch

A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch.
Schwarz

A functional appliance used to expand the upper dental arch by stimulating growth of the bone in width. Once widened, the suture knits together. The Schwarz appliance is only prescribed prior to completion of growth. It is adjusted daily as instructed until the palate has been widened enough. It is then left in place for about four months without further adjustment while the bone fills the center palatal suture or healing occurs.
Spring Aligner

An appliance that can be used on both arches for minor rotation and correction of anterior alignment.
Nance

The Nance button is utilized to hold teeth in position to allow for the movement of other teeth. The impact of the button on the lower palate creates force on the back molars.
Archwire

A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.
Fixed Retainer

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.
Wax

A clear wax used to prevent your braces from irritating your lips or cheeks when your braces are first put on, or at other times.
Rubber Bands

During various phases of treatment, small elastics or rubber bands are used as a gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or the aligning of jaws.
Forsus

The Forsus appliance is an orthodontic appliance that is affixed to the teeth. Springs mounted on the side of the appliance force the lower jaw forward upon closure of the jaws retraining the bite and correcting a Class II problem.
Mouthguard

A device that is used to protect your mouth form injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouthguard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.
Chain

A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.
Herbst

An appliance that is designed to correct bites and improve facial profiles.
Bands

A metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your braces.
Bracket

Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.
Palatal Expander

A palatal expander, also known as a rapid palatal expander, rapid maxillary expansion appliance, palate expander or orthodontic expander, is used to widen the upper jaw so that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better.
Elastics

Elastics or rubber bands for braces help move the upper and lower teeth relative to each other, ultimately achieving a better bite. The orthodontic rubber bands are typically effective for correcting overbites, underbites, or other types of alignments of the jaw. They are also useful for moving a tooth out of alignment or to close a space in the mouth.
Ligating Module

A small plastic piece, shaped like a donut, which is used to hold the archwires in the brackets on your teeth.
Removable Retainer

A gadget that the orthodontist gives you to wear after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and / or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position while your jaw hardens and your teeth get strongly attached to your jaw. At first, you wear the retainer 24 hours a day, and then only at night.
Reverse Pull Headgear

Reverse pull headgear is usually used in children with a Class III malocclusion or a malocclusion requiring a stimulation of the upper maxilla to grow forward.
Ligation

A process where an archwire is attached to the brackets on your teeth
Lip Bumper

A lip bumper is used to push the molars on your lower jaw back to create more space for other teeth. The lip bumper consists of an archwire that is attached to a molded piece of plastic. You mound the archwire in the buccal tubes on your lower jaw, the plastic piece rests against your lips. When you eat or talk, you push the plastic piece back, which, in turn, pushes your molars back.
Buccal Tube

A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. The molar band contains slots to hold archwires, lip bumpers, facebows and other things your orthodontist uses to move your teeth.
Separators

Separators are tiny rubber bands or springs that your orthodontist places between your back teeth. These separators prepare your mouth for braces by creating a small gap between these teeth. This space allows for the placement of a metal band around your molar, which anchors your braces in your mouth.
Mara

A Mara is a fixed appliance consisting of metal caps and small, hook-like devices. The hooks impact during the bite to drive the lower jaw forward retraining the bite and correcting a Class II problem.
Biteplate

A fixed or removable appliance used to open a deep bite (decrease the vertical overlap of the upper and lower incisors)
Quad Helix

A Quad Helix (or quadhelix) is an orthodontic appliance for the upper teeth that is cemented in the mouth. It is attached to the molars by 2 bands and has Two or four active helix springs that widen the arch of the mouth to make room for crowded teeth, or correct a posterior cross-bite, where lower teeth are buccal (outer) than upper teeth.
Pendex

The Pendex is a fixed appliance that rests along the roof of your mouth and is attached with bands to the molars. It is used for a Class II malocclusion (the lower teeeth are behind the upper teeth). This appliance is used to expand the upper arch and move the molars towards the back of the mouth.

Orthodontic Terms

Appliances

Banding

Braces

Bonding

Cephalometric X-Ray

Consultation

Orthodontic Photographs

Debonding

Extractions

Interceptive Treatment

Interproximal reduction (IPR)

Oral Hygiene

Orthodontic Adjustment

Orthodontic Records

Panoramic X-Ray

Surgery

Two-Phase Treatment

Emergenices

Impressions

Transpalatal Bar

Thumb Crib

Headgear

Hawley Retainer

Aligners

Lingual Arch

Schwarz

Spring Aligner

Nance

Archwire

Fixed Retainer

Wax

Rubber Bands

Forsus

Mouthguard

Chain

Herbst

Bands

Bracket

Palatal Expander

Elastics

Ligating Module

Removable Retainer

Reverse Pull Headgear

Ligation

Lip Bumper

Buccal Tube

Separators

Mara

Biteplate

Quad Helix

Pendex