A–Z Reference
Orthodontic Glossary
Heard a term at your consultation and want a quick definition? Here’s a working list of words you’ll hear during orthodontic treatment — tap any term to expand.
A — M
Toward the front of the mouth — the front teeth (incisors and canines) are the anterior teeth.
A wire engaged in orthodontic attachments, affixed to the crowns of two or more teeth, used to cause or guide tooth movement.
A thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth — typically the molars.
A thin wire fixed to the back of your front teeth after braces come off, holding them in place permanently behind the scenes.
An orthodontic attachment secured to a tooth (either by bonding or banding) for the purpose of engaging an archwire.
A side-view X-ray of the skull used to measure jaw relationships and plan treatment. Common at consultation.
Clear or tooth-colored brackets — same job as metal brackets but more discreet. A favorite for adult patients.
A shorthand for how the upper and lower teeth meet. Class I is a normal bite relationship; Class II means the upper teeth sit too far forward; Class III is the opposite (underbite).
Dental misalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth. One of the most common reasons people seek orthodontic care.
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands — usually paired with debonding (removing brackets) at the end of treatment.
Away from the midline of the face — moving a tooth “distally” means pushing it toward the back of the mouth.
Small rubber bands you hook between upper and lower brackets or bands to move teeth in a prescribed direction. They do a lot of the heavy lifting in correcting bite relationships.
A device fitted to the roof of the mouth that gradually widens the upper jaw — most effective in growing children. Used to address crowding and crossbites without removing teeth.
The gum tissue that surrounds the teeth — fibrous tissue covered by mucous membrane.
Generic term for traction worn outside the mouth (attached behind the head or neck) used to control growth and tooth movement. Used much less today than a generation ago.
A fixed or removable appliance commonly used for overbite problems — encourages the lower jaw forward to correct the bite.
The process of capturing pictures or scans of teeth and jaws — panoramic X-rays, cephalometric X-rays, and increasingly 3D scans — used to diagnose and plan treatment.
A very small amount of enamel polished away between teeth to create the space needed for alignment. Painless and conservative — often an alternative to extractions.
Of or pertaining to the tongue — the side of a tooth closest to the tongue. Lingual braces are bonded to the back of the teeth and hidden from view.
The clinical term for a “bad bite” — any misalignment between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Orthodontics is the practice of correcting malocclusion.
M — V
Of or pertaining to the lower jaw (the mandible).
Of or pertaining to the upper jaw (the maxilla).
Toward the midline of the face — the opposite of distal.
How the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth closes. A balanced occlusion distributes biting forces evenly and is one of the main goals of treatment.
When the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch even with the back teeth closed — often caused by thumb-sucking or prolonged tongue habits in childhood.
A dental specialist who has completed two to three years of post-doctoral training in orthodontics, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Not every dentist is an orthodontist.
Jaw surgery used to correct severe bite or jaw alignment issues that orthodontics alone can’t fix — usually paired with braces or aligners before and after.
The vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. A small overbite is normal; a deep overbite is worth correcting.
The horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth — how far the top teeth stick out in front. Sometimes called “buck teeth” when pronounced.
A single wide X-ray that captures all the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures in one image. Standard at the initial orthodontic consultation.
Toward the back of the mouth — the back teeth (premolars and molars) are the posterior teeth.
Any X-ray image — the dental term for what most people call an X-ray.
Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain tooth position after braces or aligners are finished. Comes in two main flavors: clear vacuum-form trays that look like aligners, and thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth.
The passive phase after active treatment — wearing retainers to stabilize teeth in their new positions while the surrounding bone and tissue adapt.
Brackets with a built-in clip or door that holds the archwire — no rubber-band ligatures needed. Often more comfortable and easier to keep clean.
A small rubber or metal piece placed temporarily between back teeth to create the tiny space needed to fit a band. Mildly annoying for a few days, then removed.
A type of braces where brackets are pre-angulated to minimize the wire-bending an orthodontist has to do by hand. The modern standard.
A treatment plan split into two stages, separated by a resting period. Phase one (in childhood) addresses growth issues while the jaw is still developing; phase two (in adolescence) finishes alignment once all adult teeth are in.
When the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth — the opposite of a normal bite. Usually a Class III relationship.
A clear, thin plastic retainer molded to the shape of your teeth — looks like an Invisalign tray. Comfortable, nearly invisible, and easy to wear at night.
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