Orthodontic Terms
Braces, aligners, appliances and the movements they create — orthodontic vocabulary without the jargon.
12 orthodontics terms, A-Z
- Aligners — Clear aligners are a series of removable, transparent plastic trays that gradually shift teeth into a desired position, used as an alternative to traditional braces for mild to moderate orthodontic cases.
- Braces — Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances made of brackets bonded to teeth and connected by archwires that gradually move teeth into proper alignment.
- Clear Aligners — Removable, transparent plastic trays that gradually move teeth into alignment.
- Crossbite — A crossbite is a misalignment in which one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth instead of the outside, either at the front or sides of the mouth.
- Invisalign — A brand of clear, removable orthodontic aligners that gradually straighten teeth.
- Malocclusion — Malocclusion refers to misalignment of the teeth or an incorrect relationship between the upper and lower jaws when the teeth come together.
- Open Bite — An open bite is a malocclusion in which the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed, leaving a vertical gap.
- Overbite — An overbite is a vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when the jaws are closed. A small overbite is normal; a deep overbite can cause tooth wear and gum trauma.
- Overjet — The horizontal distance the upper front teeth project beyond the lower front teeth.
- Palatal Expander — An orthodontic appliance that widens the upper jaw.
- Retainer — A retainer is a custom-made orthodontic appliance worn after braces or aligner treatment to hold the teeth in their new position while the surrounding bone stabilises.
- Underbite — An underbite is a malocclusion in which the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when the jaws are closed.
About orthodontics terminology
Orthodontics has its own vocabulary for describing how teeth sit together and how they are moved.
These definitions cover both the appliances and the diagnostic language used to plan a case.