Orthodontic Terms Glossary
Archwire
A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth. 
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. 
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. 
Ceramic Brackets
Crystalline, alumina, tooth-shade or clear synthetic sapphire brackets that are aesthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments. 
Crowding
Dental malalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth. 
Debanding
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands. 
Debonding
The process of removing cemented orthodontic brackets from your teeth. 
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. 
Gingiva
The tissue that surrounds the teeth, consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering. 
Headgear
Generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage. 
Imaging
The process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions. 
Maxillary
Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures. 
Lingual
Adjacent to the tongue. 
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy. 
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. 
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. 
Retention
The passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances may be used. 
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.