Orthodontic Terms Glossary
![assets/images/glossary/archwire.jpg](assets/images/glossary/archwire.jpg)
Archwire
A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth. ![assets/images/glossary/band.jpg](assets/images/glossary/band.jpg)
Bands
Bands are a ring of metal, which fit around the molars and sometimes premolars. The bands are selected from a range of sizes in order to find the tightest fitting band. The bands are sealed in position using dental cement that contains fluoride to prevent any decalcification during treatment. ![assets/images/glossary/bracket.jpg](assets/images/glossary/bracket.jpg)
Brackets
Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place. ![assets/images/glossary/ceramic-bracket.jpg](assets/images/glossary/ceramic-bracket.jpg)
Ceramic Brackets
Crystalline, alumina, tooth-shade or clear synthetic sapphire brackets that are aesthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments. ![assets/images/glossary/crowding.png](assets/images/glossary/crowding.png)
Crowding
Dental malalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth. ![assets/images/glossary/debanding.jpg](assets/images/glossary/debanding.jpg)
Debanding
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands. ![assets/images/glossary/debonding.jpg](assets/images/glossary/debonding.jpg)
Debonding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth. ![assets/images/glossary/elastics.jpg](assets/images/glossary/elastics.jpg)
Elastic (Rubber Band)
A small rubber band that is hooked between different points on your appliance to provide gentle, continuous pressure to move your teeth and/or jaws to their new positions. We offer regular or neon colors. ![assets/images/glossary/gingiva.jpg](assets/images/glossary/gingiva.jpg)
Gingiva
The tissue that surrounds the teeth, consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering. ![assets/images/glossary/headgear.jpg](assets/images/glossary/headgear.jpg)
Headgear
Generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage. ![assets/images/glossary/imaging.jpg](assets/images/glossary/imaging.jpg)
Imaging
The process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions. ![assets/images/glossary/maxillary.jpg](assets/images/glossary/maxillary.jpg)
Maxillary
Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures. ![assets/images/glossary/lingual.jpg](assets/images/glossary/lingual.jpg)
Lingual
Adjacent to the tongue. ![assets/images/glossary/surgery.jpg](assets/images/glossary/surgery.jpg)
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy. ![assets/images/glossary/radiograph.jpg](assets/images/glossary/radiograph.jpg)
Radiograph
A permanent image, performed digitally in our office, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes called an X-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation. ![assets/images/glossary/retainers.jpg](assets/images/glossary/retainers.jpg)
Retainer
An appliance that is worn after your braces are removed. The retainer attaches to your upper and/or lower teeth to hold them in place. Some retainers are removable, and others are bonded to the teeth. ![assets/images/glossary/retention.jpg](assets/images/glossary/retention.jpg)
Retention
The passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances may be used. ![assets/images/glossary/straightwire.jpg](assets/images/glossary/straightwire.jpg)
Straight Wire Appliance
A variation of the edgewise appliance in which brackets are angulated to minimize multiple archwire bends. Brackets and molar tubes have specific orientation in three planes of space.