Other Orthodontic Terms
Archform: the shape of the dental arch. For example the orthodontist could say that you have a horseshoe archform or a "v"-shaped archform. |
Closed bite: A malocclusion where your upper teeth cover your lower teeth when you bite down. This is also called a "deep bite." |
Crossbite: A malocclusion where some of your upper teeth are inside of your lower teeth when you bite down. |
Crowding: An orthodontic problem caused by having too many teeth in two small of a space. |
Crown angulation: a tooth movement in which the root of the tooth is tipped forward or backward to correct the angle of the crown. |
Crown inclination: a tooth movement in which the root of the tooth is tipped toward cheeks (lips) or toward the lingual (palate) of the mouth. |
Deep bite: excessive overbite; closed bite. |
Dentition: the arrangement of the teeth. |
Diastema: a space between two teeth. |
Drift: Unwanted movement of teeth. |
Extrusion: Tooth movement in the direction of eruption. Natural extrusion: teeth grow until there is contact with another tooth. Mechanical extrusion: to pull the teeth so that it extends farther out of your gums. |
Fixed appliance: any orthodontic component that is cemented or bonded to the teeth. |
Flared teeth: A term used to indicate the position of the teeth. The upper teeth are flared lingually (toward the lip). |
Full orthodontic treatment: Getting braces |
Inclination: the angle of the long axis of a tooth from a particular line of reference; the tilt or tip of a tooth. |
Interocclusal registration: a wax bite which is used to see how your teeth come together |
Interproximal stripping: reduction of the enamel of the teeth on both sides of the tooth. This procedure is preformed to create space for crowded teeth. |
Intrusion: movement of a tooth back into the bone. |
Lingual appliances: orthodontic appliance fixed to the inside of your teeth. i.e. Lingual appliances are attached to the part of your teeth next to your tongue. |
Lingual arch: An orthodontic wire attached from molar to molar in the inside of your teeth. |
Lingual retainers: a variation of the lingual arch going from cuspids to cuspid. |
Malocclusion: Poor positioning of your teeth. |
Class I Malocclusion: A Malocclusion where your bite is OK (your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth) but your teeth are crooked, crowded or turned. |
Class II Malocclusion: A Malocclusion where your upper teeth stick out past your lower teeth. This is also called an "overbite" or "buck teeth" |
Class III Malocclusion: A Malocclusion where your lower teeth stick out past your upper teeth. This is also called an "underbite". |
Occlusion: The alignment and spacing of your upper and lower teeth when you bite down. |
Proper Occlusion: A beautiful smile where all of your teeth are straight and your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth
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Open bite: A malocclusion in which the teeth do not close or come together in the front of your mouth |
Orthodontics: The treatment preformed to correct your bite and make your smile look wonderful. |
Orthodontist: A dentist who has been specially trained to do orthodontics. |
Orthodontia: Braces |
Overbite: vertical overlapping of the upper teeth over the lower. |
Overjet: horizontal projection of upper teeth beyond the lower. |
Retruded: a term used when your front teeth are slated lingually (i.e. toward the back of your mouth). |
Rotation: a movement in which the tooth turned along the long axis of the tooth. |
Spee: the curve of spee is the curvature of the occlusal plane of the teeth. |
Stop: a bend or auxiliary attachment placed on a wire to limit the archwire from sliding or moving in the bracket slot of the bracket. |
Tipping: a tooth movement in which the root of the tooth is tipped labially (lip) or lingually (tongue) to correct the angle of the crown of the tooth. |
Torque: the rotation of a tooth on the long axis moving the root of the tooth in a buccal or labial direction. |
Tracing (cephalometric): an overlay drawing traced over a cephalometric x-ray that shows specific structures and landmarks that provided a basis for orthodontic therapy. |
Traction: the act of drawing or pulling the teeth. |
Translation: a tooth movement in which the entire tooth moves forward or backward without tipping or rotating. |
Typodont: A plastic model of a typical mouth, showing the alignment of teeth. A typodont is used to teaching orthodontic procedures. |