Glossary
When you begin your treatment with Dr. Atkinson, we want to be certain that you understand every part of the process that you will be going through. After all, they are YOUR teeth! We'll try to explain everything to you so that you can understand it. If something confuses you, or you just want more information, this glossary of common orthodontic terms is a great place to start.
Orthodontics [awr-thuh-don-tiks]
Noun. From the Greek orthos [straight ]+ odōn [tooth].
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with correcting irregularities of the teeth. A dentist who specializes in orthodontics is called an orthodontist.
Parts Of Your Braces
Appliance
Anything the orthodontist attaches to your teeth to move your teeth or to change the shape of your jaw.
Arch Wire
A metal wire which is attached to your brackets to move your teeth.
Band
A metal ring that is usually placed on your teeth to hold on parts of your braces.
Bracket
A metal or ceramic part that is glued onto a tooth and serves as a means of fastening the arch wire.
Breakaway
A breakaway is a small plastic piece with an internal spring which is used to provide force on a facebow.
Buccal tube
A small metal part that is welded on the outside of a molar band. The buccal tube contains a slot to hold archwires, facebows and other things your orthodontist uses to move your teeth.
Chain, Orthodontic Chain
A stretchable plastic chain used to hold archwires into brackets and to move teeth.
Facebow, Headgear
Facebows are a wire apparatus used to move your upper molars back in your mouth which creates room for crowded or protrusive anterior teeth. Generally, the facebow consists of two metal parts which have been attached together - an inner bow and an outer bow. The inner bow is shaped like a horseshoe. The outer bow has two arms, one on the right and one on the left. The arms go around your face, and connect to the breakaways on the neckstrap. To properly use the product, the inner bow needs to be inserted into your buccal tubes. An elastic neck band is placed around the back of the neck and fastened onto the outer bows.
Ligating module/Alastics
A small plastic piece, shaped like a doughnut, which is used to hold the arch wires in the brackets on your teeth.
Mouth guard
A device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports. The use of a mouth guard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries.
Neck pad
A neck pad is a cloth-covered cushion which you wear around your neck when you put on your facebow. Generally, the breakaways are attached to the neckpad to provide force for the facebow.
Palatal Expander
A device used to make your upper jaw wider.
Retainer
An appliance that we will give you to wear after Dr. Atkinson removes your braces. The retainer attaches to your upper or lower teeth and holds them in the correct position. You wear the retainer at night to make sure that none of your teeth move while your jaw bone hardens into place.
Separator
A plastic or metal part which is used to create space between your teeth for bands.
Wax
A clear wax used to prevent your braces from irritating your lips when your braces are first put on, or if a wire is broken or loose.
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The Orthodontist's Instruments
Band Remover
A special set of pliers which Dr. Atkinson uses to remove bands from your teeth.
Cheek retractors
Small plastic pieces used to draw back your lips and cheeks so that Dr. Atkinson can more easily see you teeth and work in your mouth.
Curing Light
A special UV light used to help attach brackets to your teeth.
Distal End Cutter
A special set of pliers used to cut off the ends of your archwires in the back of your mouth.
Explorer
A hook-like fine pointed instrument used in examining the teeth.
Interproximal Stripper
A device used to remove some of the enamel from the sides of your teeth. The stripper is used to create extra space for crowded teeth.
Mathieu Plier
A special plier which locks when it closes so it holds on to small parts.
Pin and Ligature Cutter
A special plier use to cut off arch wires, ligatures etc.
Scaler
A tool with a curved hook on one end. Dr. Atkinson uses the scaler to remove excess cement, and check for gaps.
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Orthodontic Procedures
Banding
The process of cementing orthodontic bands to your teeth.
Bonding
The process of attaching brackets to your teeth using a special adhesive.
Conditioning
A procedure where a weak acid applied to your tooth to ready your tooth for a bracket. The conditioning helps your brackets stay on better.
The Consultation
A meeting with Dr. Atkinson where he evaluates your mouth and discusses your treatment options.
Debanding
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands.
Debonding
The removal of the brackets from your teeth.
Extraoral photograph
Facial photos.
Impressions
The first step in making a model of your teeth. You bite into a tray filled with alginate, and the alginate stiffens to a soft putty, creating a mold of your teeth.
Ligating
A process where an archwire is attached to the brackets on your teeth.
Panoramic x-ray
An x-ray taken by a machine that rotates around your head to give Dr. Atkinson a picture of your teeth, jaws and other important information.
Tightening your braces
A process which occurs every 3-6 weeks when you have braces. You will come in to our office and Dr. Atkinson will make adjustments to the wires in your braces, or changes the wires.
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