Glossary

Common orthodontic terms you might hear during treatment:

Aligners

Clear, removable plastic trays that move teeth gradually, such as Invisalign.

Appliance

Any device, fixed or removable, used to move teeth or guide jaw growth.

Archwire

The wire that connects the brackets and guides the teeth into position.

Band

A thin metal ring cemented around a back tooth to anchor braces or an appliance.

Bracket

The small attachment bonded to each tooth that holds the archwire.

Ceramic braces

Brackets made of a clear or tooth-colored material.

Crossbite

When upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth on biting.

Debonding

Removing braces at the end of active treatment.

Elastics

Small rubber bands that help correct the bite.

Expander

An appliance that widens the upper jaw.

Ligature

A small elastic or wire tie that holds the archwire in a bracket.

Malocclusion

A “bad bite” – teeth or jaws that don't line up properly.

Occlusion

How the upper and lower teeth fit together.

Overbite

When the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much vertically.

Overjet

When the upper front teeth stick out horizontally past the lower teeth.

Retainer

An appliance worn after treatment to keep teeth in their new positions.

Self-ligating braces

Brackets with a built-in clip that holds the wire without ties.

Separator

A small spacer placed between teeth to make room for bands.

Underbite

When the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth.