Appliance
Any device your orthodontist attaches to your teeth that moves them, holds them in place, or changes the shape of your jaw.
Archwire
A metal wire engaged in orthodontic brackets that is used to cause or guide tooth movement. It is changed periodically throughout treatment as your teeth move to their new positions.
Band
A thin, stainless-steel ring to which an orthodontic attachment has been welded. The band is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place around a molar tooth.
Bond
The seal created by an orthodontic adhesive that holds your appliances in place.
Bracket
An orthodontic attachment that is secured or “bonded” to a tooth for the purpose of engaging an archwire. Brackets can be fabricated using metal (silver or gold colored) or ceramic (“clear”).
Dentofacial Orthopedics
Guidance, interception, and modification of the growth of the developing face and jaws in a growing patient.
Coil Spring
A spring that fits between your brackets and over your archwire to open, close, or hold space between your teeth.
Color Tie
The small, colored elastic circle that fits around your bracket to hold the archwire in place. These come in a variety of colors.
Elastics (rubber bands)
Used to move teeth by placing pressure in a prescribed direction (commonly connected from a hook on a molar band to a hook on a bracket). These are placed and replaced by the patient; therefore, effectiveness depends on patient compliance.
Esthetics
An artistically beautiful or pleasing appearance. (Also “aesthetics.”)
Gingiva
The technical term for “gums” that surround and support the teeth.
Malocclusion
Describes the condition wherein teeth do not fit together properly. The technical term for “bad bite.”
Mandibular
Pertaining to the lower jaw or the teeth in the lower dental arch.
Maxillary
Pertaining to the upper jaw or the teeth in the upper dental arch.
Orthodontics
One of the eight specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), this is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. It involves the design, application, and control of corrective appliances or braces to bring teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance.
Orthodontist
A dental specialist who, after having graduated from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA), has also completed an advanced post-doctoral residency program of two to three academic years in the specialty of orthodontics.
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery to alter the relationship of the jaws, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic treatment.
Overbite
Vertical overlap of upper teeth over lower teeth.
Overjet
The horizontal (front-to-back) relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
Powerchain
A series of color ties joined together that is used to close spaces or hold teeth together.
Retainer
Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following active corrective treatment.
Retention
The passive treatment period that follows active orthodontic correction, during which retainers are used to hold teeth in their corrected position.
Stainless Steel Tie
A thin metal wire placed around a bracket, either under or in the place of color ties or powerchain, to hold the archwire in place.
