What This Orthodontist Dictionary Covers
This orthodontist dictionary defines the words your specialist uses during orthodontic treatment, so you can follow each step and ask clear questions. It is written for patients and parents.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects how teeth and jaws line up. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who finished dental school and then completed two or more years of extra training focused only on tooth movement and jaw growth.[1] That training is why an orthodontist, not a general dentist, often manages complex bite problems.
You do not need to memorize every term in this orthodontic dictionary. Instead, use it as a reference. When your specialist mentions a word you do not know, look it up here and bring questions to your next visit. You can also learn more about the field on the orthodontics page.
Core Terms in the Orthodontic Dictionary
The most useful orthodontic dictionary terms describe the teeth, the jaws, the appliances, and the bite. Learning these few groups makes the rest of your treatment far easier to follow.
Teeth and Jaw Terms
Your mouth has two arches of teeth. The lower and upper arches hold your teeth in curved rows. The upper jaw, called the maxilla, is the bony arch that holds the upper teeth. The lower jaw, called the mandible, is the movable arch below it.
The way your upper and lower teeth meet is called the bite, or occlusion. A healthy upper jaw and lower jaw allow the upper and lower teeth to fit together evenly when you close your mouth. When the upper jaw is too far forward or back compared to the lower jaw, the teeth do not meet well.
- Adult and baby teeth: Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, fall out and are replaced by adult, or permanent, teeth.
- Upper jaw (maxilla): the bony arch that holds the upper teeth.
- Lower and upper arches: the two curved rows that hold the teeth in each jaw.
- Eruption: the process of a tooth breaking through the gum into the mouth.
Appliance and Hardware Terms
An orthodontic appliance is any device that moves teeth or guides jaw growth. Some appliances are removable, like clear aligners or retainers. Others are fixed orthodontic appliances, which means they are bonded or attached and stay in place until your specialist removes them.
Braces are the most familiar fixed orthodontic appliances. They use orthodontic bands, brackets, and wires together. Orthodontic bands are thin metal rings that wrap around a back tooth to anchor the braces. Brackets are the small squares glued to the front of each tooth, and the wire connects them to apply force.
- Bracket: a small attachment bonded to a tooth that holds the wire.
- Archwire: the wire that runs across the teeth and creates pressure for tooth movement.
- Orthodontic bands: metal rings cemented around back teeth for extra anchorage.
- Retainer: a device worn after treatment to hold teeth in their new spots.
Bite and Alignment Terms
Bite terms describe how the upper and lower teeth line up. An overbite means the upper front teeth sit too far over the lower front teeth. In a deep bite, the teeth completely overlap, so the upper front teeth hide much of the lower front teeth when you close.
An underbite is the opposite, where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. A crossbite means some upper teeth close inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. A poor teeth bite can wear down enamel, strain the jaw, and make cleaning harder, which is one reason an orthodontist studies the bite so closely.[1]
What to Know Before Treatment
Before orthodontic treatment begins, know the right timing, the records your specialist needs, and how long care usually lasts. These basics help you prepare.
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that a child have a first orthodontic check by about age 7.[1] At that age, a mix of adult and baby teeth is present, which lets the specialist spot jaw growth problems early. Catching issues with the upper jaw or lower jaw while a child is still growing can make later treatment simpler.
Your specialist will review your full medical and dental history before starting. This history flags conditions, allergies, and past dental work that could affect tooth movement or healing. Be ready to share medicines you take and any jaw injuries. Honest answers help your orthodontist plan safe orthodontic treatment.
Treatment length varies. Many patients wear braces or aligners for one to three years, and results vary by case complexity. Baby teeth in younger patients and the amount of jaw growth left both affect timing. Your specialist will give you an estimate based on your own bite.
What to Expect During Orthodontic Treatment
Expect a records visit, an appliance fitting, regular adjustments, and a retention phase. Each step in orthodontic treatment moves your upper and lower teeth toward a healthier bite.
The First Visit
Your first visit is an exam, not the start of hardware. The orthodontist looks at how your upper and lower teeth meet, checks the upper jaw and lower jaw, and reviews your medical and dental history. They may take photos, X-rays, and digital scans or molds of your teeth.
These records create a map of your bite. Using them, your specialist explains the problems they see and the appliance choices that could fix them. This is the best time to use this orthodontic dictionary and ask about any term you do not understand.
Active Treatment and Adjustments
If you choose braces, the orthodontist bonds brackets to your teeth and may place orthodontic bands on back teeth. With clear aligners, you wear a series of removable trays. Both are types of orthodontic appliance that apply steady, gentle force.
Tooth movement happens slowly as bone reshapes around each root. You will return every few weeks so the specialist can adjust wires or hand you new aligners. Mild soreness for a day or two after an adjustment is common, and it usually fades.
Retention After Treatment
When the upper and lower teeth reach their planned positions, the active phase ends and the retention phase begins. Your specialist removes fixed orthodontic appliances or stops aligners and fits you for a retainer.
Teeth can drift back toward old positions, so wearing your retainer as directed protects your results. Many patients wear a retainer nightly for the long term. Good daily brushing and flossing keep both your teeth and gums healthy after treatment.[2]
What Affects the Cost of Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment cost depends on case complexity, appliance type, treatment length, and where you live. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity, so ask each office for a written estimate.
Simple cases that need minor tooth movement usually cost less than complex bite corrections that involve the upper jaw or lower jaw. Clear aligners, traditional braces, and fixed orthodontic appliances can each carry different price tags. Longer treatment generally means more visits and higher total cost.
Many dental insurance plans include a separate orthodontic benefit, often with a lifetime maximum. Coverage for children is more common than for adults, but plans differ widely. Ask your specialist's office to check your benefits, and ask about payment plans. Reviewing your dental plan details is a practical first step.[2]
When to See an Orthodontist Instead of a General Dentist
See an orthodontist when teeth are crowded or crooked, when the bite is off, or when your dentist refers you for jaw or alignment concerns. A general dentist handles routine care; an orthodontist is the dental specialist for tooth movement and jaw alignment.
Watch for signs that suggest a specialist visit. These include upper and lower teeth that do not meet evenly, front teeth that completely overlap, crowding, or gaps. Trouble chewing, mouth breathing, or a jaw that shifts or clicks can also point to a bite problem worth a specialist's review.[1]
Children benefit from an early check by about age 7, even if treatment waits, because the orthodontist can monitor jaw growth while baby teeth are still present.[1] Adults can start treatment at any age once their gums and bone are healthy. Your general dentist and orthodontist often work together to plan the right timing for you.
Find an Orthodontist Near You
Understanding the words in this orthodontist dictionary is the first step. The next is finding a qualified dental specialist who can examine your upper and lower teeth and explain your options in plain language. Browse the orthodontics page to learn more about the specialty and connect with an orthodontist who can review your bite, answer your questions, and build a plan that fits your goals.
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