Glossary

Archwire – A wire applied to two or more teeth that guides tooth movement by way of fixed attachments (brackets).

Band – A thin, stainless steel ring that secures orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band, with attachments welded or soldered to it, is fitted to the contours of the tooth and cemented into place.

Bracket – An orthodontic attachment made of metal, ceramic or plastic that is bonded or bracketed to a tooth. The bracket is used to secure an archwire.

Ceramic Brackets – Brackets made of crystalline alumina or synthetic sapphire that are tooth colored or clear and, therefore, less noticeable than conventional metal brackets.

Crowding – Misalignment of teeth caused by inadequate space in the mouth and jaws.

Debanding – The removal of cemented or bonded orthodontic bands.

Elastics – Rubber bands used to move teeth into a prescribed alignment, along a path that archwires alone cannot. Elastics come in many fun colors and are usually connected to the molar band and the upper ball hook.

Full archwire – An archwire that extends from molar region to molar region.

Gingiva – The fibrous tissue that surrounds the teeth. It is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal lining of the mouth.

Headgear – Generic term for the appliances used for extraoral traction, which means around the back of the head. Headgear is used to modify growth, for tooth movement and to anchor.

Herbst Appliance – A fixed or removable appliance that is commonly used to correct overbite problems.

Hygiene – The practices designed to clean the mouth and teeth to attain and preserve health.

Imaging – Using photography, X-rays, etc., including digital methods, to create representations of the oral structures in two or three dimensions.

Ligature – A tie usually made of wire or elastic that secures individual teeth to an archwire.

Lingual – Of or pertaining to the tongue, surfaces of the tongue and directions toward the tongue.

Lingual Appliances – Orthodontic appliances fixed to the lingual surface (tongue side) of the teeth.

Maxillary – Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. Used to describe teeth, dental restorations, appliances or facial structure.

Orthodontist – A dentist who has completed at least two years of advanced post-doctoral education in the specialty field of orthodontics, in an institution accredited by the American Dental Association.

Orthognathic Surgery – Surgery used to correct the relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones. Usually used in conjunction with orthodontic therapy.

Overbite – An orthodontic condition in which upper teeth overlap the lower teeth.

Radiograph – A permanent image, typically on film, usually produced by the most common method of ionizing radiation imaging, the X-ray.

Retainer – A fixed or removable orthodontic appliance used to maintain the position of the teeth after corrective orthodontic treatment.

Retention – Active orthodontic correction is followed by a period of passive treatment during which retaining appliances may be used to keep teeth in their new position.

Straight Wire Appliance – Brackets and molar tubes have specific orientation in three planes of space. Straight wire appliances are a variation of the edgewise appliance in which brackets are angled to minimize multiple archwire bends.