A

Active Treatment

The phase of your orthodontic journey when your teeth are actively being repositioned and your bite is being corrected. This is the period when you'll be wearing braces or aligners.

Aligners

Custom-made, transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to gradually shift them into the desired position. You remove them for eating and brushing, then put them back in.

Appliance

A general term for any device your orthodontist uses to move teeth, guide jaw growth, or hold teeth in place. Braces, expanders, and retainers are all types of appliances.

Archwire

The thin metal wire that threads through your brackets. It provides the gentle, steady pressure that guides your teeth into their new positions. Your orthodontist will adjust or replace it during appointments.

Attachments

Small, tooth-coloured bumps bonded to your teeth during clear aligner treatment. They act as handles that help the aligners grip and move specific teeth more precisely. They're removed when treatment wraps up.

B

Band

A thin metal ring that fits around a back molar and is cemented in place. Bands anchor other components of your braces, like tubes and wires.

Bite

The way your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. A healthy bite means your teeth meet in a way that lets you chew, speak, and smile comfortably.

Braces

The most common fixed orthodontic system, made up of brackets bonded to your teeth, archwires, and bands. Together, they apply controlled pressure to move your teeth over time.

Bracket

A small piece made of metal, ceramic, or clear material that is bonded directly to the surface of each tooth. The archwire slides through a slot in the bracket, which is how force is delivered to move the tooth.

Bruxism

Clenching or grinding your teeth, often during sleep. Over time, bruxism can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain, and affect your orthodontic results. A nightguard may be recommended.

C

Cephalometric Radiograph (Ceph)

A side-view X-ray of your head and jaw. Your orthodontist uses it to measure how your teeth, jaws, and skull relate to each other, which helps in planning your treatment.

Chain (Power Chain)

A connected series of tiny elastic rings that stretch across several brackets. Power chains are used to close gaps between teeth.

Class I Malocclusion

Your back molars line up correctly, but there may be crowding, spacing, or other alignment issues with the front teeth.

Class II Malocclusion

The lower jaw or lower teeth sit further back than normal relative to the upper jaw. This often looks like the upper front teeth stick out.

Class III Malocclusion

The lower jaw or lower teeth sit further forward than normal relative to the upper jaw, sometimes called an underbite.

Crossbite

A misalignment where one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. A crossbite can involve front teeth, back teeth, or both.

D

Decalcification

Chalky white spots that appear on tooth enamel, often around brackets, caused by plaque buildup from inadequate brushing. These spots can become permanent and may develop into cavities if not addressed.

Deep Bite (Closed Bite)

A condition where the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth when you bite down. Orthodontic treatment can open the bite to a healthier position.

E

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Small rubber bands that hook between your upper and lower braces to help correct the relationship between your jaws. Wearing them consistently as directed is one of the most important things you can do to stay on track with treatment.

Enamel

The hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. It's the strongest substance in your body, but once it's damaged or worn away, it cannot grow back.

Expander (Palatal Expander)

An appliance placed on the roof of your mouth that gradually widens the upper jaw. This creates more room for crowded teeth and can improve the way your upper and lower jaws fit together.

F

Fixed Appliance

Any orthodontic device that is cemented or bonded to your teeth and stays in place throughout treatment. Braces are the most well-known example.

G

Gingiva (Gums)

The soft pink tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Keeping your gums healthy during orthodontic treatment requires thorough brushing and flossing.

Gingivitis

The earliest stage of gum disease, marked by red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. It's reversible with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings.

H

Hawley Retainer

A classic removable retainer made from a combination of metal wire and hard acrylic that's moulded to the roof of your mouth or behind your lower teeth.

Headgear

An appliance worn partly outside the mouth that uses gentle traction to influence jaw growth or move teeth. It's typically worn in the evening and overnight.

Herbst Appliance

A fixed appliance that encourages the lower jaw to grow forward, often used to correct a significant overjet in growing patients.

I

Impacted Tooth

A tooth that is partially or fully trapped beneath the gum line and unable to emerge on its own. Impacted teeth, particularly canines and wisdom teeth, may require orthodontic or surgical intervention.

Interceptive Treatment (Phase I)

Early orthodontic treatment, usually started while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth. The goal is to address developing problems before they become more complex.

Interproximal Reduction (IPR)

The careful removal of a tiny amount of enamel between teeth to create small amounts of space. This is a common, painless technique used to relieve mild crowding.

L

Ligature

The small elastic ring or thin wire that secures the archwire into each bracket. Elastic ligatures come in a wide range of colours and are typically changed at each adjustment visit.

Lingual

Refers to the tongue side of your teeth. Lingual braces are brackets placed on the inside surfaces of teeth so they're hidden from view.

M

Malocclusion

The clinical term for a "bad bite" — when the upper and lower teeth don't align properly. Malocclusion can affect chewing, speech, and appearance, and it's what orthodontic treatment is designed to correct.

Mandible

Your lower jaw. It's the only moveable bone in your skull.

Maxilla

Your upper jaw. Unlike the lower jaw, the maxilla is fixed to the rest of your skull.

Mouthguard

A protective device worn over the teeth during sports and physical activities. If you wear braces, a mouthguard is especially important to protect both your teeth and the appliance.

N

Nightguard

A removable appliance worn while you sleep to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding or clenching (bruxism).

O

Open Bite

A type of malocclusion where the front teeth (or sometimes back teeth) don't touch when you close your mouth, leaving a visible gap.

Orthodontist

A dental specialist who has completed dental school plus an additional two to three years of advanced residency training focused exclusively on diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth and jaws.

Overbite

When the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth vertically by more than the ideal amount. A moderate overbite is normal; a deep overbite may need correction.

Overjet

The horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth. An excessive overjet means the upper teeth protrude noticeably forward of the lower teeth.

P

Panoramic Radiograph (Pano)

A single X-ray image that captures all of your teeth, both jaws, and surrounding structures in one shot. It helps your orthodontist see the big picture of your oral health.

Plaque

A sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed by brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar and can lead to cavities and gum disease.

R

Removable Appliance

Any orthodontic device you can take in and out of your mouth yourself, such as aligners, retainers, or certain expanders.

Retainer

An appliance worn after braces or aligners to hold your teeth in their new positions. Retainers are essential — without them, teeth naturally tend to shift back over time.

S

Self-Ligating Brackets

Brackets with a built-in clip or door that holds the archwire in place, eliminating the need for elastic ligatures. They can reduce friction and may require fewer adjustments.

Separators (Spacers)

Small elastic rings placed between your back teeth a week or so before bands are fitted. They create just enough space for the bands to slide into place comfortably.

Space Maintainer

A fixed appliance used to keep a gap open after a baby tooth is lost early, ensuring the permanent tooth has room to come in properly.

T

Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD)

A tiny titanium screw temporarily placed in the jawbone to serve as a fixed anchor point. TADs allow your orthodontist to move teeth in directions that wouldn't be possible with braces alone.

U

Underbite

A condition where the lower front teeth or jaw sit ahead of the upper front teeth. Also classified as a Class III malocclusion.

W

Wax (Orthodontic Wax)

A soft, non-toxic wax you can press onto brackets or wires that are irritating the inside of your cheeks or lips. It creates a smooth barrier and provides immediate relief.

Wires

See Archwire. Your orthodontist selects wires of different thicknesses and materials throughout your treatment to apply the right amount of force at each stage.

Have a question about a term not listed here? Ask our team at your next visit!