Archwire

A metal wire that is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.

Bonding

The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using a special safe adhesive.

Bracket

Brackets are the small metal or ceramic modules attached to each tooth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the archwire in place.

Buccal Tube

A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. They contain slots to hold archwires, lip bumpers, facebows and other things your orthodontists uses to move your teeth.

Cephalometric X-Ray

An x-ray of the head that shows if your teeth are aligned and growing properly.

Consultation

A meeting with your treatment coordinator and your orthodontist where they discuss your treatment plan.

Debonding

The removal of cemented orthodontic brackets.

Elastics

During various phases of treatment, small elastics or rubber bands are used as a gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or the aligning of jaws.

Extractions

Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

Fixed Retainer

Fixed retainers consist of a metal wire bonded to the back of the teeth. Fixed retainers can stay in place indefinitely.

Herbst Appliance

An appliance that is designed to correct bites and improve facial profiles.

Impressions

The first step in making a model of your teeth. You bite into a container filled with a rubber-type material. That material hardens to produce a mold of your teeth.

Interceptive Treatment

Orthodontic treatment that is usually done between the ages of 6 and 10. The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to provide orthopedic intervention, so that later orthodontic treatment goes quicker and is less painful.

Interproximal Reduction (IPR)

Interproximal Reduction (IPR) is the removal of small amounts of outer enamel tooth surface between two adjacent teeth. It is a means to acquire additional space to create ideal tooth alignment. Alternative names include: slenderizing, stripping, enamel reduction, and reproximation.

Ligating Module

A small plastic piece, shaped like a donut, which is used to hold the archwires in the brackets on your teeth.

Mouth Guard

A device that is used to protect your mouth form injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouthguard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.

Oral Hygiene

Effective brushing and flossing is one of the most critical actions needed from patients during braces. Regular visits to the general dentist for examination and cleaning are also essential. The results of inadequate oral hygiene include decalcification (white spots/marks), gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), and periodontal disease (inflammation leading to bone loss).

Orthodontic Adjustment

An evaluation of your progress where your wires may be changed to keep your treatment on track and moving forward.

Orthodontic Photographs

Pictures taken upon the completion of treatment show the amazing changes that the orthodontics has achieved in both growth and development of the teeth, jaws and aesthetics of the smile. The orthodontist uses the pictures throughout treatment to monitor changes

Orthodontic Records

These records, which include cephalometric and panoramic x-rays, digital photos and study models, help your orthodontist determine what treatment needs to be done.