Activator An example of a functional brace.

Adhesive The “glue” used to stick brackets and bands to teeth.

Aligner A brace where the teeth are moved by a series of clear plastic aligners, each of which moves the teeth incrementally and gradually towards the intended goal. Not as powerful or as versatile as fixed “appliances.

Appliance An item used to move teeth. It may be removable or may be fixed to the teeth, or may be a combination of both. See also “Brace”.

Archwire A wire that is used as part of a fixed appliance, or fixed brace. It is usually made of metal and is designed to line the teeth into a pleasing arrangement.

Band A metal ring that is placed around a tooth as part of a fixed brace. Performs essentially the same purpose as a bracket but surrounds the tooth. See also “Fixed Brace”.

Band A metal ring that is placed around a tooth. It usually also carries a bracket or a tube on it, in which case it performs essentially the same purpose as the bracket or tube, but allows a different method of attaching it to the tooth.

Banding The process of selecting and placing a band on a tooth. See also “Direct Bonding” and ”Indirect Bonding”.

Bicuspids A term used generally in North America. Fourth and fifth teeth from the front of the mouth. Usually there are 2 bicuspids on each side, and in both jaws, so the average person has eight bicuspids overall. Also known as premolars.

Biteplane Similar to a biteramp. Usually used to unlock the bite. May be part of a removable brace or be added to a fixed brace.

Biteramp Similar to a biteblock, but used to unlock the bite AND direct the teeth. May be part of a removable brace or be added to a fixed brace.

Bitewing Radiograph A small X-ray designed to look at the area between the teeth. Very good for detecting caries.

Bonding The process of placing brackets on a tooth. See also “Direct Bonding” and A bonding process, where the brackets are placed on a plaster model of the patient’s teeth in a laboratory setting, before transferred to the patient’s mouth and stuck on the natural teeth using the chosen adhesive.

Brace An appliance used to move teeth. It may be removable or fixed, or a combination of both. See also ”Appliance”.

Bracket A component of a fixed brace, stuck to an individual tooth. May be stuck on the inside or the outside of the tooth. Performs essentially the same purpose as a band but does not surround the tooth. See also “Fixed Brace”

Canine The third tooth from the front of the mouth. Usually there is 1 canine on each side, and in both jaws, so the average person has four canines overall. See also “Cuspid”.

Caries Dental decay.

CBCT Cone Beam Computerised Tomography - a means of getting a 3-dimensional view, usually of the jaws & teeth, and sometimes the skull also. Similar to a medical CT scan, taken differently and with much lower radiation.

CBVT Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography - different name for CBCT.

Cephalometric X-ray A profile X-ray taken to assess the relative sizes, positions and angles of the upper & lower jaws and their respective teeth.

Cingulum The natural bump on the inside of incisor teeth.

Clasp Part of a removable brace. Its purpose is to help to hold the brace in the mouth.

ClearStep An example of clear aligners.

Crossbite Where an upper tooth bites inside a lower tooth.

Crowding Where the overall width of the teeth is too large for the amount of bone.

Crown The part of the tooth that is visible in the mouth.

Cusp The pointy part of cheek tooth.

Cuspid Another term for Canine - frequently used in North America.  Third tooth from the front of the mouth. Usually there is 1 cuspid on each side, and in both jaws, so the average person has four cuspids overall. See also “Canine”.

Deepbite When the overbite is excessive.

Direct Bonding A bonding process, where the brackets are placed directly on the patients natural teeth using the chosen adhesive.

Elastics Usually made of latex,and used to move the teeth. May be placed between the upper & lower jaws (in which case they are usually removable & changed by the patient) or within a single jaw (in which case they usually require the specialist to be adjusted)

Endodontics The specialised branch of dentistry that deals with root canal treatment.

Endodontist A dentist who has specialised training in endodontics.

Expander A device used to widen the jaw, usually the upper jaw. May be incorporated as part of a removable appliance, or may be stuck directly to the teeth using fixed bands.