Normal & Abnormal Bite
Ankylosis
Abnormal immobility or fusion of the tooth to the surrounding bone. An ankylosed tooth does not move by orthodontic forces.
Crossbite With Functional Shift
Crossbite of Front Teeth With Functional Shift
When the upper front teeth contact edge to edge and the patient needs to shift the lower jaw forward to be able to chew.
Crossbite of Back Teeth With Functional Shift
When the upper jaw is narrow and patient needs to shift the lower jaw to one side to be able to chew.
Crossbite Back Teeth w/Functional Shift
Class 1 Crowding – Malocclusion
Crowding
Malalignment of teeth caused by a lack of space for teeth to be straight.
Ectopic Eruption
Teeth growing into the mouth in an abnormal spot.
Upper Molar Ectopic Eruption – Malocclusion
Canine Eruption – Normal v Ectopic
Eruption
Teeth growing into the mouth in a normal spot.
Gummy Smile
Excessive exposure of upper gum during a full smile.
Gummy Smile Treatment by Laser
Impacted Canine Boney Exposure
Impacted Tooth
Total or partial lack of eruption of a tooth.
Occlusion
The relationship between the upper and lower teeth as they bite together.
Normal Occlusion
Openbite
Lack of contact between a few teeth while other teeth are in contact.
Deepbite Malocclusion
Overbite
Vertical overlap of the lower front teeth by the upper front teeth.
Overjet
The horizontal projection of the upper front teeth beyond the lower front teeth.
Overjet – Class 2 End On Malocclusion
Small Lateral Incisor Treatment
Peg Lateral
Small upper front tooth.
Root Resorption
An abnormal process during which roots become shorter.
Supernumerary Tooth
An extra tooth, often malformed or erupting abnormally.
Transitional Dentition
AKA mixed dentition, a phase from baby teeth to permanent teeth. In this phase, both dentitions are present in the mouth.
Teeth Eruption Pattern
Crossbite – Class 3 Malocclusion
Underbite
AKA front crossbite, an abnormal bite when lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth.
Orthodontic Parts
Appliance
Any orthodontic device that we use to move your teeth.
Archwire
The metal wire places into the braces.
Parts of Braces Pt 1
Ortho Band Placement on a Molar
Band
A metal ring made of stainless steel that is cemented to your molars. Bands provide a way to attached brackets to your molars.
Bitelock
Prevents upper and lower teeth from occluding completely.
Posterior Bite Block
Clear Braces v Metal Braces
Brackets
AKA braces. Metal or ceramic pieces that are secured onto the teeth to hold the archwire in place.
Coil Spring
A spring that fits between brackets and over the archwire to open space between teeth.
Elastic
AKA rubber bands. A small band made of rubber that is hooked between different brackets to provide pressure to move teeth to a new position.
Overjet (Overbite) – Rubber bands
Ligature Ties
AKA colors. The tiny colored rings made of rubber that fits around a bracket to hold the archwire in place.
Playing Sports in Braces
Mouthguard
A removable appliance made of rubber that protects the teeth from injury when participating in sports.
Palatal Expansion
An orthopedic process to widen the upper jaw when it is narrow.
Palatal Expander
Orthodontic Procedure
Retainer
An appliance that is worn after braces are removed to hold teeth in their final position.
Retainer – Essix Type
Separator – Rubber Type
Separator
An elastic ring placed between teeth to separate them.
Adjustment
The process of refreshing orthodontic forces to move teeth to a new spot.
Bonding - Indirect Technique
Placing braces on a plaster model of the teeth first and transferring them to the teeth using a lab fabricated template.
Putting Braces On – Indirect Technique
Putting Braces On – Direct Technique
Bonding - Direct Technique
Placing braces directly on the teeth.
Debonding
Removing brackets off of the teeth.
Removing Braces or Debond
Extraction
Extraction
Removal of a tooth.
Frenectomy
The surgical removal of a frenum, a fold of fibers connecting the upper lip to the gum.
Laser Frenectomy
Gingiva Graft
A surgical procedure to patch the gum where it lacks proper width and height.
Impression
An imprint of the teeth made by biting into a soft material that hardens into a mold of the teeth.