Orthodontic Dictionary

Address your concerns with this comprehensive orthodontic dictionary from Institut Ortodòncia Barcelona. Don’t let your fears and questions prevail. Contact us!
– Dr. David Huertas

Components of Orthodontic Appliances

Ligature Wire

A very thin wire twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Any device that the orthodontist places on the teeth to generate some type of movement or change the shape of the jaws.

A metal wire used to guide tooth movement. It is changed periodically throughout treatment as teeth shift to their new positions.

A metal ring that fits around the tooth. It is held in place by orthodontic cement. Bands allow for the placement of brackets on the teeth.

A metal or ceramic device cemented directly to the tooth to hold the archwire in its correct position.

An external wire called a facebow that gently guides the growth of the face and jawbones, while simultaneously moving the teeth to their correct positions. The force required for these movements comes from spring-loaded straps attached to the neck or head. These straps feature a safety mechanism that disengages if the facebow is pulled or snagged.

Material used to prevent orthodontic appliances from irritating the lips.

A small elastic band hooked between different points of orthodontic appliances to exert the necessary pressure to guide the teeth to their new positions.

A device that widens the upper jaw.

The adhesion created by orthodontic cement that keeps appliances bonded to the tooth surfaces.

A soldered or removable attachment used to hook elastics (bands).

A thin wire that holds the archwire within the bracket.

A metal arch attached to a molded plastic device. This appliance serves to stop the displacement of mandibular molars, thereby creating more space for the eruption of other teeth.

A device that protects the mouth from potential injuries during intense sports activities.

A spring placed between the brackets and above the archwire. Its function is to create space between the teeth.

An appliance used after orthodontic appliances are removed, which fits the upper and/or lower teeth to maintain them in the correct position. Some retainers are removable, while others are cemented to the lingual surface of several teeth.

Small rubber rings that create the necessary space between teeth to allow for band placement.

A round, hollow accessory found on the bands of the posterior teeth. The inner arch of the headgear fits into this tube.

Orthodontic Procedures

Panoramic X-ray Machine

A machine that rotates around the skull and takes X-rays of the teeth, jaws, and other facial structures.

Fixing brackets to the teeth using special orthodontic cement.

The process of fitting and cementing orthodontic bands to the teeth.

A meeting with the orthodontist to discuss a treatment plan.

The process of removing cemented orthodontic bands from the teeth.

The process of removing brackets from the tooth surface and composite residue once treatment is finished, your teeth are aligned, and occlusion and smile are perfect.

An alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances. Invisalign aligns teeth using a series of clear aligners custom-made for the patient. Invisalign can correct some, but not all, orthodontic problems.

Fixing an archwire to the brackets on the teeth.

An X-ray of the skull that shows the relative position and development of the facial bones, jaws, and teeth.

The process of creating a mold of the teeth by biting into a soft material that hardens to provide that mold. The orthodontist uses these impressions to devise a treatment plan.

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