Welcome to the Bowe Orthodontic Care glossary! At our practice in Birr, Offaly, Ireland, we understand that orthodontic treatment can sometimes seem complex and overwhelming. To help you navigate your orthodontic journey with ease, we’ve created this comprehensive glossary of terms. Whether you’re just beginning treatment or are already on your way to a perfect smile, this guide will help you understand the terminology and processes involved.
Here, you’ll find clear definitions (from A – Z) and explanations of various orthodontic terms, making your experience with us as smooth and informed as possible.
Glossary of Orthodontic Terms
Activator
A type of functional brace used to stimulate and guide jaw growth in younger patients.
Adhesive
The “glue” used to attach brackets and bands to the teeth.
Aligner
A transparent, removable brace that gradually moves teeth into their desired positions. While not as powerful or versatile as fixed appliances, aligners are a discreet option for many patients.
Appliance
Any device used to move teeth. Appliances can be removable or fixed to the teeth, and sometimes a combination of both. See also “Brace.”
Archwire
A metal wire used in fixed braces to align teeth. It is crucial for moving teeth into their proper positions.
Band
A metal ring that encircles a tooth and holds other orthodontic components like brackets or tubes in place.
Banding
The process of fitting and securing a band onto a tooth. See also “Direct Bonding” and “Indirect Bonding.”
Bicuspids
Also known as premolars, these are the fourth and fifth teeth from the front of the mouth. Each person typically has eight bicuspids, with two on each side in both the upper and lower jaws.
Biteplane
A device, often part of a removable brace, used to help unlock the bite.
Biteramp
Similar to a biteblock, a biteramp is used to unlock and direct the bite, and can be part of a removable or fixed brace.
Bitewing Radiograph
A small X-ray used to detect cavities between the teeth.
Bonding
The process of attaching brackets to the teeth, either directly in the mouth (Direct Bonding) or indirectly using a plaster model of the patient’s teeth (Indirect Bonding).
Brace
An appliance used to move teeth. Braces can be removable or fixed, or a combination of both. See also “Appliance.”
Bracket
A component of a fixed brace that is attached to each tooth, either on the inside or outside surface. It serves the same purpose as a band but does not encircle the tooth. See also “Fixed Brace.”
Canine
The third tooth from the front of the mouth, also known as a cuspid. Each person typically has four canines, one on each side in both the upper and lower jaws.
Caries
Dental decay or cavities.
CBCT (Cone Beam Computerised Tomography)
A type of 3D imaging used to view the jaws, teeth, and sometimes the skull, with lower radiation compared to a medical CT scan.
CBVT (Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography)
Another term for CBCT.
Cephalometric X-ray
A profile X-ray that evaluates the sizes, positions, and angles of the upper and lower jaws and their respective teeth.
Cingulum
A natural bump on the inner surface of incisor teeth.
Clasp
A component of a removable brace that helps keep the brace in place.
ClearStep
A brand of clear aligners used in orthodontic treatment.
Crossbite
A condition where an upper tooth bites inside a lower tooth.
Crowding
Occurs when there is not enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit properly.
Crown
The visible part of the tooth in the mouth.
Cusp
The pointed part of a tooth, typically found on the premolars and molars.
Cuspid
Another term for canine, the third tooth from the front of the mouth.
Deepbite
An excessive vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth.
Direct Bonding
A process where brackets are directly attached to the patient’s teeth using adhesive.
Elastics
Rubber bands used to move teeth, which can be placed between the upper and lower jaws by the patient or within a single jaw by the orthodontist.
Endodontics
A branch of dentistry focusing on root canal treatment.
Endodontist
A dentist specialized in endodontics.
Expander
A device used to widen the jaw, usually the upper jaw. It can be part of a removable appliance or fixed directly to the teeth with bands.
Facebow
A component of headgear that connects the outside part of the device to the brace inside the mouth.
Fixed Brace
A brace permanently attached to the teeth, consisting of an archwire and a combination of brackets, tubes, and bands.
Frankel
A type of functional brace.
Functional Brace
A brace, either fixed or removable, that uses the patient’s muscle forces to aid in jaw growth and tooth alignment.
Headgear
An external device that applies backward force to the upper teeth, usually attached to a fixed brace.
Herbst
A type of fixed functional appliance used to correct jaw alignment.
Impressions
Moulds taken of the teeth using a soft material that sets, creating a replica of the teeth for study or appliance construction.
Implant
A small metal screw placed in the bone to provide anchorage for orthodontic movement, also known as a Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD) or Bone Anchorage Device (BAD).
Incisal Edge
The sharp, cutting edge of an incisor tooth.
Incisor
The front teeth, with two on each side in both the upper and lower jaws, totaling eight incisors per person.
Incognito
A brand of lingual braces placed on the tongue side of the teeth.
Indirect Bonding
A process where brackets are placed on a model of the patient’s teeth in a lab and then transferred to the patient’s mouth.
Invisalign
A brand of clear aligners used for orthodontic treatment.
Ligature
Material, either rubber or wire, used to tie the archwire to the brackets.
Lingual Braces
Fixed braces with brackets placed on the tongue side of the teeth.
Lip Bumper
A component added to a fixed brace that transfers the force from the lips to the back teeth.
Malocclusion
General term for poor alignment of teeth or jaws. It can involve spacing, crowding, or bone misalignments.
- Class I Malocclusion: Balanced jaws with crowded or spaced teeth.
- Class II Malocclusion: Upper jaw positioned forward relative to the lower jaw.
- Class III Malocclusion: Lower jaw positioned forward relative to the upper jaw.
Molar
The large teeth at the back of the mouth, with three molars on each side in both the upper and lower jaws, including wisdom teeth.
Moulds
A term sometimes incorrectly used to refer to study or work models.
Openbite
A condition where there is a gap between the upper and lower teeth when the back teeth are closed together.
OPG (Orthopantomogram)
See Panoramic X-ray.
Overbite
The vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth.
Panoramic X-ray
An X-ray that shows all the teeth in the mouth on a single film.
Periapical Radiograph
A small X-ray that captures the entire tooth, including the crown and root.
Periodontology
A dental specialty focused on treating the gums and bone surrounding the teeth.
Periodontist
A dentist specialized in periodontology.
Prosthodontics
A dental specialty focused on the replacement of missing teeth.
Prosthodontist
A dentist specialized in prosthodontics.
Plate
A plastic component of a removable brace that holds wires and clasps together.
Premolar
The fourth and fifth teeth from the front of the mouth, also known as bicuspids.
Radiograph
The correct term for an X-ray image.
Removable Brace
A brace that can be taken out by the patient, typically made of wires, clasps, and a plastic plate.
Retainer
A device used to maintain teeth alignment after braces are removed. Retainers can be fixed or removable.
Root
The part of the tooth below the gumline that anchors it in the jaw.
Scissorsbite
A condition where an upper tooth bites fully outside its corresponding lower tooth.
Separator
A device placed between teeth to create space for fitting bands. It is usually made of rubber.
Six Month Brace
A type of fixed brace designed to align the front six teeth quickly, without addressing underlying bite issues.
Skeletal Malocclusion
Misalignment of the jaws.
Spacing
Excess space between teeth.
Spring
A metal component used in braces to move teeth.
Study Models
Replicas of the teeth made from plaster or created digitally for treatment planning.
Tube
A component similar to a bracket but designed to allow an archwire to be inserted through one end.
Wisdom Teeth
The third molars, usually erupting in the late teens or early twenties.
Work Models
Plaster models of the teeth used to construct orthodontic appliances.
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