Glossary

appliance

Anything that is attached to your teeth that moves your teeth or corrects your bite.

archwire

A wire engaged in orthodontic attachments, affixed to the crowns of two or more teeth and guides the direction of tooth movement.

band (orthodontic)

A thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place.

bracket

An orthodontic attachment made of metal, ceramic or plastic that holds the archwire against each tooth. The archwire fits into a slot in the bracket. Brackets may be attached directly to each tooth or to a band.

ceramic brackets

Crystalline, alumina, tooth-shade or clear synthetic sapphire brackets that are aesthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments.

c-chain

An elastic chain that is used to move teeth together or hold them together to prevent spacing.

coil spring

The coil spring is used to either open space(open coil) or maintain space (closed coil); it fits between two brackets on the archwire.

debanding

The removal of cemented orthodontic bands.

elastics (rubber bands)

A tiny rubber bands prescribed by the orthodontist to move teeth or jaws a certain direction.

face mask

Generic term for extraoral traction for growth modification of the upper jaw. It is used to correct an underbite.

fixed retainer

A permanent retainer that is bonded to the back side of the front teeth to keep the teeth from shifting from their new position.

Forsus appliance

This bonded appliance is used to position the lower jaw forward to correct overjet.

habit appliance

An appliance designed to deter thumb or finger sucking habits.

impressions

An imprint or mold of the teeth used to diagnose a treatment plan or design an orthodontic appliance.

interceptive treatment

Interceptive treatment, also known as early treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment usually performed between the ages of 6 and 10. This phase of treatment makes future orthodontic treatment faster and less invasive.

lingual appliances

Orthodontic appliances fixed to the interior (tongue) side of teeth.

maxillary

Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.

mouthguard

A mouthpiece that is tailored to provide protection to the braces and teeth while the patient is playing a sport.

palatal expander-Hyrax

Attached to the upper molars through bonding , the palatal expander is used to create a wider upper jaw.

radiograph

A permanent image, typically on film, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes called an X-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation.

retainer

Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment.

separator (spacer)

Small elastics that fit snugly between certain teeth to move them slightly so bands can be placed around them later.

Twin Block

This is a removable appliance used to hold the lower jaw forward. The lower ramps are held forward by the upper ramps, they fit together like a puzzle.  This allows new bone to grow and remodel to correct excess overjet.  It is worn full time.

 

wax

This wax material is placed over a bracket or wire if it is causing irritation to the lip or cheek.