Dental Terms - Glossary
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281-217-8626
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Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal) - A crown is almost like a "cap" on a tooth; It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and outlook
Decay - The rotten part of the tooth
Dentistry - A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concern about teeth, oral cavity and associated structures
Dentition - The position, type and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw
Denture (Immediate/complete/partial) (overdenture, temporary) - An artificial object to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures; There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences
Desensitization - A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth
Diagnosis - The process of identifying dental disease
Diastema - The space in between two adjacent teeth
Distal - A direction indication in the mouth; It indicates the direction away from the middle of the jaw
Edentulous - No teeth
Endodontics - A department of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental pulp (where the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth)
Eruption - The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth
Excision - The action of cutting something off
Filling - A restoration places on a tooth to restore its function and appearance
Flipper - A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment
Floss - A thread/tape goes in between teeth for cleaning
Fluoride - A compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, rinses to strengthen up teeth
Fluoride Treatment - Teeth treat with fluoride agents like gel or rinse; It helps to prevent tooth decay
Framework - A metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic attachments
Gingivitis - The mildest form of gum disease - inflammation of gum; The earliest sign is bleeding gum
Hemorrhage - Bleeding
Homeostasis - Stop bleeding
Impaction - A condition that a tooth is not able to come in normally or stuck underneath another tooth or bone
Implant - A device (usually "screw-like") put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge
Impression - A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray
Incisal - The cutting edge of front teeth
Incisor - The four upper and lower front teeth
Inlay - A restoration (usually is gold, composite or ceremics) fabricated in the lab cements on tooth like a missing puzzle; It helps to restore the normal function and outlook of the tooth
Interproximal - The space in between two adjacent teeth
Lingual - The side of the tooth towards the tongue
Mesial - The side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw
Molar - The last 3 upper and lower teeth on both side of the mouth
Mouthguard - A device to be worn in the mouth; Depends on the design of it, it prevents injury on teeth and/or jaw during NIGHT teeth grinding or sport events
Nightguard - A mouthguard which is worn at night time
Occlusal - The biting surface of the back teeth
Occlusion - The way how the upper and lower teeth close together
Onlay - A restoration covers the entire biting surface of a tooth
Open bite - The situation that the upper teeth not able to contact the opposing lower teeth
Over bite - The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together
Overhang - The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity
Palate - The roof of the mouth
Panoramic Radiograph - An x-ray film to obtain the wide view of upper and lower jaw and their associated structures
Perforation - An opening on a tooth or other oral structure
Periapical - The surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth
Periodontics - Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues
Permanent teeth - Adult's teeth; The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old
Pin - A piece of "nail-like" metal; It usually is used for better retention of a filling
Polish - A process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy
Pontic - The false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth
Post - A big pin which can be made with different materials such as metal or carbon; Its function usually is to support a big buildup on a tooth
Posterior - Locate at the back
Pre-authorization - An approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out
Pre-medication - Medication needs to be taken before treatment
Premolar - The two teeth located in front of the molar
Prescription - A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient; In dentistry, prescription can also be a written statement on preparation of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician
Primary teeth - Baby teeth
Prophylaxis/prophy - The procedure of teeth polishing; It also means the prevention of diseases
Prosthesis - An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures
Prosthodontics - A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, treatment planning and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures
Pulp - The inner most part of a tooth; It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth
Pulpectomy - The removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth
Pulpotomy - The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth
Radiograph - An x-ray picture
Recall - The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment
Recementation - The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area
Restoration - An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth; It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge etc
Retainer - A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment
Retreatment - The process of repeating the root canal treatment
Root - The bottom part of tooth; It anchors the tooth to its supporting units
Root canal - The canal that runs inside the root of the tooth; It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth
Root canal treatment - A treatment for the root canal inside the tooth
Root planing - The action of cleaning on the root area of teeth
Rubber dam - A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity
Scaling - The action of cleaning of teeth below the gumline
Sealant - A thin layer of plastic-like material covers the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity
Sedation - The use of medication to calm down a patient
Space Maintainer - An appliance to maintain the space in between teeth
Splint - An appliance or a material to prevent movement of a mobile part
Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ - TMD / desease) - The joint that links the jaw to the skull
Torus - An outgrowth on bone; It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw
Veneer - A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) attaches to the front of the tooth; It is usually for better outlook of the tooth
Wisdom tooth - The eighth (also the last tooth) tooth from the middle of the jaw
Xerostomia - Dry mouth
Decay - The rotten part of the tooth
Dentistry - A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concern about teeth, oral cavity and associated structures
Dentition - The position, type and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw
Denture (Immediate/complete/partial) (overdenture, temporary) - An artificial object to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures; There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences
Desensitization - A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth
Diagnosis - The process of identifying dental disease
Diastema - The space in between two adjacent teeth
Distal - A direction indication in the mouth; It indicates the direction away from the middle of the jaw
Edentulous - No teeth
Endodontics - A department of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental pulp (where the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth)
Eruption - The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth
Excision - The action of cutting something off
Filling - A restoration places on a tooth to restore its function and appearance
Flipper - A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment
Floss - A thread/tape goes in between teeth for cleaning
Fluoride - A compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, rinses to strengthen up teeth
Fluoride Treatment - Teeth treat with fluoride agents like gel or rinse; It helps to prevent tooth decay
Framework - A metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic attachments
Gingivitis - The mildest form of gum disease - inflammation of gum; The earliest sign is bleeding gum
Hemorrhage - Bleeding
Homeostasis - Stop bleeding
Impaction - A condition that a tooth is not able to come in normally or stuck underneath another tooth or bone
Implant - A device (usually "screw-like") put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge
Impression - A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray
Incisal - The cutting edge of front teeth
Incisor - The four upper and lower front teeth
Inlay - A restoration (usually is gold, composite or ceremics) fabricated in the lab cements on tooth like a missing puzzle; It helps to restore the normal function and outlook of the tooth
Interproximal - The space in between two adjacent teeth
Lingual - The side of the tooth towards the tongue
Mesial - The side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw
Molar - The last 3 upper and lower teeth on both side of the mouth
Mouthguard - A device to be worn in the mouth; Depends on the design of it, it prevents injury on teeth and/or jaw during NIGHT teeth grinding or sport events
Nightguard - A mouthguard which is worn at night time
Occlusal - The biting surface of the back teeth
Occlusion - The way how the upper and lower teeth close together
Onlay - A restoration covers the entire biting surface of a tooth
Open bite - The situation that the upper teeth not able to contact the opposing lower teeth
Over bite - The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together
Overhang - The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity
Palate - The roof of the mouth
Panoramic Radiograph - An x-ray film to obtain the wide view of upper and lower jaw and their associated structures
Perforation - An opening on a tooth or other oral structure
Periapical - The surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth
Periodontics - Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues
Permanent teeth - Adult's teeth; The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old
Pin - A piece of "nail-like" metal; It usually is used for better retention of a filling
Polish - A process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy
Pontic - The false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth
Post - A big pin which can be made with different materials such as metal or carbon; Its function usually is to support a big buildup on a tooth
Posterior - Locate at the back
Pre-authorization - An approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out
Pre-medication - Medication needs to be taken before treatment
Premolar - The two teeth located in front of the molar
Prescription - A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient; In dentistry, prescription can also be a written statement on preparation of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician
Primary teeth - Baby teeth
Prophylaxis/prophy - The procedure of teeth polishing; It also means the prevention of diseases
Prosthesis - An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures
Prosthodontics - A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, treatment planning and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures
Pulp - The inner most part of a tooth; It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth
Pulpectomy - The removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth
Pulpotomy - The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth
Radiograph - An x-ray picture
Recall - The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment
Recementation - The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area
Restoration - An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth; It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge etc
Retainer - A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment
Retreatment - The process of repeating the root canal treatment
Root - The bottom part of tooth; It anchors the tooth to its supporting units
Root canal - The canal that runs inside the root of the tooth; It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth
Root canal treatment - A treatment for the root canal inside the tooth
Root planing - The action of cleaning on the root area of teeth
Rubber dam - A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity
Scaling - The action of cleaning of teeth below the gumline
Sealant - A thin layer of plastic-like material covers the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity
Sedation - The use of medication to calm down a patient
Space Maintainer - An appliance to maintain the space in between teeth
Splint - An appliance or a material to prevent movement of a mobile part
Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ - TMD / desease) - The joint that links the jaw to the skull
Torus - An outgrowth on bone; It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw
Veneer - A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) attaches to the front of the tooth; It is usually for better outlook of the tooth
Wisdom tooth - The eighth (also the last tooth) tooth from the middle of the jaw
Xerostomia - Dry mouth
Abrasion - Removal of tooth structure due to rubbing and scraping (e.g. incorrect brushing method)
Abscess - A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection
Abutment - A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture
Amalgam - A silver filling material
Anesthetic - An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling
Anterior - The front position
Apex - The end of the root
Asepsis - No micro-organism
Attrition - Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing
Bitewing - A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together; The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavity in between teeth and height of bone support
Bleaching - Whitening of teeth
Bridge - A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth
Bruxism - Teeth grinding
Canine - The third tooth from the middle of the jaw; There are totally 4 of them. They are the longest teeth in human
Canker sore - An ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth; It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus
Caries - Tooth decay
Cavity - A hole on the tooth
Cast - A model of teeth
Cementation - The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis on the associated area
Chlorhexidine - An anti-microbial agent; It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses; It is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases
Clasp - A metal arm extends from a removable partial denture; It helps to hold on to natural tooth structure and thus provide anchorage for the denture
Cold sore - An ulcer or blister on lip; A form of herpes simplex
Composite - White filling
Cross-bite - An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw; The lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth
Abscess - A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection
Abutment - A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture
Amalgam - A silver filling material
Anesthetic - An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling
Anterior - The front position
Apex - The end of the root
Asepsis - No micro-organism
Attrition - Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing
Bitewing - A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together; The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavity in between teeth and height of bone support
Bleaching - Whitening of teeth
Bridge - A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth
Bruxism - Teeth grinding
Canine - The third tooth from the middle of the jaw; There are totally 4 of them. They are the longest teeth in human
Canker sore - An ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth; It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus
Caries - Tooth decay
Cavity - A hole on the tooth
Cast - A model of teeth
Cementation - The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis on the associated area
Chlorhexidine - An anti-microbial agent; It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses; It is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases
Clasp - A metal arm extends from a removable partial denture; It helps to hold on to natural tooth structure and thus provide anchorage for the denture
Cold sore - An ulcer or blister on lip; A form of herpes simplex
Composite - White filling
Cross-bite - An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw; The lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth
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Dental Terms
Dental Glossary
Dental Glossary
Randy McClernon DDS
ACRYLIC is a special plastic commonly used for construction of dental appliances including active orthodontic treatment and retention appliances.
ALGINATE is an impression material used to make dental casts or models.
ALIGNERS are thin transparent barely detectable appliances that move your teeth to better positions.
APPLIANCES are what we call your braces and removable orthodontic devices.
ARCHWIRE is the main upper or lower wire engaged in orthodontic brackets fixed to the crowns of two or more teeth and used to guide tooth movement.
BAND (ORTHODONTIC) is the thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band, with orthodontic attachments welded or soldered to it, is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place. These are handles so we can move or hold your teeth.
BITE is another name for the way your teeth fit together when you put them in normal chewing position. Underbite / Overbite
BRACKET is an orthodontic attachment that is secured to a tooth (either by bonding or banding) for the purpose of engaging an arch wire. Brackets can be fabricated from metal or ceramic.
CERAMIC BRACKETS are clear or tooth-shade brackets that are less obvious and esthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments.
CROSSBITE Is when a lower tooth is on the outside of an upper tooth or an upper tooth is in so far that it misses the lower tooth. Teeth should fit in an orderly way--your upper teeth fitting slightly on the outside of your lower teeth.
CROWDING is dental misalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth.
DEBANDING is the removal of cemented orthodontic bands.
ELASTICS (RUBBER BANDS) are used to move teeth in prescribed directions. These are an activating force we use to move teeth to better positions.
GINGIVA is the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering.
HEADFILM is an image of the head from the side and sometimes from the front for us to study where to safely move your teeth and to analyze jaw growth and tooth movement.
HEADGEAR is a generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the top and/or back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and resistance.
HERBST APPLIANCE is a fixed or removable appliance designed commonly for overbite problems and encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward (catch up to the upper jaw.)
IMAGING is the process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions.
IMPRESSIONS are prints of your teeth made with a soft gelatin-like (sometimes alginate) material, which is placed in a small tray that fits up over your teeth. In a few moments the material becomes rubbery and the tray is removed. The result is a reversed 3-D image of your teeth (similar to your footprint in sand on the beach) from which a model of your teeth is made.
LINGUAL Pertains to the tongue. The term is used to describe surfaces and directions toward the tongue.
LINGUAL APPLIANCES are orthodontic appliances fixed to the tongue-side surface of the teeth.
MALOCCLUSION is crooked teeth. Mal=bad; occlusion=relation of teeth. A malocclusion is teeth that are chewing in a poor relationship with each other. This is the basic reason to have orthodontics. Crowded, poorly spaced Overbite Underbite, etc
MANDIBLE is the lower jaw.
MAXILLARY pertains to the upper jaw. It may be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.
MODELS or casts are white, super hard Plaster of Paris representations of your teeth that we make in impressions of your teeth.
NECKSTRAP is the name that is given to the part of the headgear that fits on the back of your neck.
ORTHODONTIST is a dental specialist who has completed an advanced post-doctoral course, accredited by the American Dental Association, of usually three years of academic and hands-on learning in the special area of orthodontics and dento-facial orthopedics.
ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY is surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy.
OVERBITE is the vertical overlapping of upper teeth over lower teeth, usually measured perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Some overbite is normal. Too much overbite can cause severe problems (like damaging the gums and supporting bone behind the upper front teeth) and facial changes that are not attractive.
RADIOGRAPH is a permanent image, typically on film, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes the radiograph is called an x-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation. With new equipment and high-speed film or detectors, we now obtain better images that are safer than ever.
RETAINER is any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment; In our office, these appliances are first used to continue to improve the positions of the teeth (sometimes closing small spaces or minor precise movements of the teeth) and then hold the teeth
RETENTION is the passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances are used
SEPARATION makes room for placing braces and involves placing small elastics or wires between your teeth to slightly move them apart; This may feel like you have a small piece of meat caught between your teeth; This sensation passes quickly as your teeth adjust
STRAIGHT WIRE APPLIANCE is 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
TIEWIRE is a fine wire that fastens your archwire to your brackets; It is twisted; The twisted end is tucked in under the archwire. In eating or cleaning your teeth, sometimes this could get bent out; if this occurs, push it back under the archwire, possibly by using a clean eraser end of a pencil
TUBE is usually placed on the back tooth or molar; It can be a round or rectangular tube and is used to help secure the archwire in the back of the mouth
ALGINATE is an impression material used to make dental casts or models.
ALIGNERS are thin transparent barely detectable appliances that move your teeth to better positions.
APPLIANCES are what we call your braces and removable orthodontic devices.
ARCHWIRE is the main upper or lower wire engaged in orthodontic brackets fixed to the crowns of two or more teeth and used to guide tooth movement.
BAND (ORTHODONTIC) is the thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band, with orthodontic attachments welded or soldered to it, is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place. These are handles so we can move or hold your teeth.
BITE is another name for the way your teeth fit together when you put them in normal chewing position. Underbite / Overbite
BRACKET is an orthodontic attachment that is secured to a tooth (either by bonding or banding) for the purpose of engaging an arch wire. Brackets can be fabricated from metal or ceramic.
CERAMIC BRACKETS are clear or tooth-shade brackets that are less obvious and esthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments.
CROSSBITE Is when a lower tooth is on the outside of an upper tooth or an upper tooth is in so far that it misses the lower tooth. Teeth should fit in an orderly way--your upper teeth fitting slightly on the outside of your lower teeth.
CROWDING is dental misalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth.
DEBANDING is the removal of cemented orthodontic bands.
ELASTICS (RUBBER BANDS) are used to move teeth in prescribed directions. These are an activating force we use to move teeth to better positions.
GINGIVA is the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering.
HEADFILM is an image of the head from the side and sometimes from the front for us to study where to safely move your teeth and to analyze jaw growth and tooth movement.
HEADGEAR is a generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the top and/or back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and resistance.
HERBST APPLIANCE is a fixed or removable appliance designed commonly for overbite problems and encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward (catch up to the upper jaw.)
IMAGING is the process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions.
IMPRESSIONS are prints of your teeth made with a soft gelatin-like (sometimes alginate) material, which is placed in a small tray that fits up over your teeth. In a few moments the material becomes rubbery and the tray is removed. The result is a reversed 3-D image of your teeth (similar to your footprint in sand on the beach) from which a model of your teeth is made.
LINGUAL Pertains to the tongue. The term is used to describe surfaces and directions toward the tongue.
LINGUAL APPLIANCES are orthodontic appliances fixed to the tongue-side surface of the teeth.
MALOCCLUSION is crooked teeth. Mal=bad; occlusion=relation of teeth. A malocclusion is teeth that are chewing in a poor relationship with each other. This is the basic reason to have orthodontics. Crowded, poorly spaced Overbite Underbite, etc
MANDIBLE is the lower jaw.
MAXILLARY pertains to the upper jaw. It may be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.
MODELS or casts are white, super hard Plaster of Paris representations of your teeth that we make in impressions of your teeth.
NECKSTRAP is the name that is given to the part of the headgear that fits on the back of your neck.
ORTHODONTIST is a dental specialist who has completed an advanced post-doctoral course, accredited by the American Dental Association, of usually three years of academic and hands-on learning in the special area of orthodontics and dento-facial orthopedics.
ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY is surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy.
OVERBITE is the vertical overlapping of upper teeth over lower teeth, usually measured perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Some overbite is normal. Too much overbite can cause severe problems (like damaging the gums and supporting bone behind the upper front teeth) and facial changes that are not attractive.
RADIOGRAPH is a permanent image, typically on film, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes the radiograph is called an x-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation. With new equipment and high-speed film or detectors, we now obtain better images that are safer than ever.
RETAINER is any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment; In our office, these appliances are first used to continue to improve the positions of the teeth (sometimes closing small spaces or minor precise movements of the teeth) and then hold the teeth
RETENTION is the passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances are used
SEPARATION makes room for placing braces and involves placing small elastics or wires between your teeth to slightly move them apart; This may feel like you have a small piece of meat caught between your teeth; This sensation passes quickly as your teeth adjust
STRAIGHT WIRE APPLIANCE is 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
TIEWIRE is a fine wire that fastens your archwire to your brackets; It is twisted; The twisted end is tucked in under the archwire. In eating or cleaning your teeth, sometimes this could get bent out; if this occurs, push it back under the archwire, possibly by using a clean eraser end of a pencil
TUBE is usually placed on the back tooth or molar; It can be a round or rectangular tube and is used to help secure the archwire in the back of the mouth
or what you heard at the Dentist Office...
or from someone else...
or on TV...
or from someone else...
or on TV...
Glossary of Orthodontic Terms:
Glossary of Orthodontic
(Braces) Terms BELOW
(Braces) Terms BELOW
