Orthodontic Dictionary
Orthodontics is a specialised branch of dentistry which deals with treatment of irregularities in the jaws and teeth. The commonly used terminologies in orthodontics are listed below.
-
Acid Etch:
The procedure of applying weak acid onto the tooth surface to prepare it for brackets (braces).
-
Anterior:
Front
-
Appliances:
This is any device attached to the teeth, to move the teeth, or change the position of the jaw.
-
Arch:
Upper or lower jaw
-
Archwire:
The metal wire attached to the brackets that are used to move the teeth.
-
Band:
A metal ring that is cemented to the teeth for anchorage.
-
Braces:
A fixed orthodontic appliance usually comprised of brackets, bands and wires.
-
Brackets:
A tiny metal ceramic part that is affixed to each tooth on the arch. This serves as a means to fasten the archwire.
-
Bruxism:
Excessive grinding of the teeth, usually during sleep
-
Buccal:
The cheek surface inside the mouth
-
Buccal Tube:
A small metal part of the bracket welded to the outside of the molar band; It contains slots to hold archwire, lip bumper, headgear and facebows.
-
Cephalometric Radiograph:
A lateral (side view) X-ray of the head that shows alignment of teeth
-
Chain:
A series of elastic O-rings connected together to hold each bracket to stabilise the archwire in place and move the teeth
-
Class I Malocclusion:
Malocclusion with proper molar relationship and teeth that are crowded together, spaced apart, overbite, openbite, posterior crossbite or anterior crossbite
-
Class II Malocclusion:
Malocclusion with upper front teeth protruding or due to lower teeth and jaw positioned back, relatively to upper teeth and jaw
-
Class III Malocclusion:
Malocclusion with lower front teeth protruding or due to lower teeth and jaw positioned ahead, relatively to upper teeth and jaw
-
Closed Bite:
Also known as deep bite, it occurs when upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth excessively
-
Comprehensive Treatment:
A complete orthodontic treatment performed to correct malocclusion
-
Congenitally Missing Teeth:
A genetic occurrence in which an expected number of permanent teeth do not develop
-
Crossbite:
Upper posterior teeth erupt and function inside or outside of the arch in the lower posterior teeth. Lower anterior teeth erupt and function in front of the upper anterior teeth
-
Crown Angulation/Inclination:
Tooth movement where the root of the tooth is tipped forward or backward to correct the angle of the crown
-
De-banding:
Removal of orthodontic bands from the teeth
-
De-bonding:
Removal of affixed orthodontic brackets from the teeth
-
Diagnostic Records:
The information of the patient which may include thorough patient history, visual examination of teeth and radiographs, etc.
-
Digital Radiograph:
Digital X-rays of the teeth which can be transmitted via computer
-
Ectopic Eruption:
A tooth or teeth that erupt in an abnormal position
-
Elastics:
Rubber bands that provide individual tooth movement or jaw alignment during certain treatments
-
Eruption:
Process by which teeth come into the mouth
-
Extraction:
Removal of a tooth
-
Facebow:
A wire used with a nightbrace or headgear to move the upper first molars back, creating space for crowded or protrusive front teeth
-
Fiberotomy:
A surgical procedure used to detach the fibres of attachment around the tooth
-
Fixed Appliances:
An orthodontic appliance that is bonded or cemented to the teeth and cannot or should not be removed by the patient
-
Frenectomy:
The surgical removal or repositioning of the frenulum (thin folds of mucous membrane enclosed with muscle fibres)
-
Gingiva:
Gums or soft tissue around the teeth
-
Headgear:
An appliance worn outside the mouth to provide traction for growth modification and tooth movement
-
Herbst Appliance:
An appliance which is used to move the lower jaw forward
-
Impaction:
A tooth that does not erupt or erupts partially
-
Impressions:
Process of making a mould of the teeth
-
Interproximal Reduction:
Removal of small amount of enamel between the teeth to reduce the width; also known as reproximation, enamel reduction, slenderising, stripping or selective reduction
-
Labial:
The surface of the teeth in both upper and lower arches that face the lips
-
Lingual:
The tongue side of the teeth in both arches
-
Lip Bumper:
A wire device used to move the lower molars back and lower front teeth forward, creating room for crowded front teeth
-
Lip Incompetence:
The inability to close the lips together at rest, due to protrusive front teeth
-
Malocclusion:
Teeth that do not fit together properly
-
Mandible:
Lower jaw
-
Maxilla:
Upper jaw
-
Mixed Dentition:
The dental developmental stage in children (age 6-12years) when they have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth
-
Open Bite:
A malocclusion in which teeth do not make contact with each other
-
Orthodontics:
specialised branch of dentistry which deals with treatment of malocclusions
-
Panoramic Radiograph:
An X-ray that shows all teeth and both jaws on one film
-
Palatal Expander:
A fixed or removable appliance used to make the upper jaw wider
-
Periodontal:
Refers to the hard and soft tissues or supporting structures around the teeth
-
Plaque:
A colourless, sticky film of bacteria, food particles and saliva that forms in the mouth and causes tooth decay and gum disease
-
Posterior:
Back
-
Removable Appliance:
An orthodontic appliance that can be removed and reinserted
-
Retainer:
A fixed or removable appliance worn after braces are removed
-
Safety Strap:
It prevents the facebow of the headgear from becoming loose and causing injury
-
Separators:
A small wire loop placed between the teeth to create room for placing the bands
-
Serial Extraction:
Selective removal of certain baby teeth and/or permanent teeth for a period of time to create space for permanent teeth
-
Space Maintainer:
A fixed appliance used to hold space for an unerupted permanent tooth after the loss of a baby tooth prematurely, due to accident or decay
-
Supernumerary Teeth:
A genetic occurrence of more teeth than the usual number. These can be malformed or could have erupted abnormally
-
Tightening the Braces:
The process that is recommended every 3-6 weeks for adjustments of wires in the braces
-
Tongue Crib:
A fixed device used to help patient stop habits of undesirable tongue forces exerting on teeth and bone that supports the teeth
-
Tongue Thrust:
A person’s tongue pushes against the teeth when swallowing. These forces generated by the tongue move the teeth and bone leading to an anterior or posterior open bite.
-
Wax:
Wax is placed on the brackets or archwires to prevent them from irritating the lips or cheeks.
-
Wires:
Also referred as archwires, they are attached to the brackets to move the teeth