appliance

Anything that is attached to your teeth that moves your teeth or corrects your bite.

fixed retainer

A permanent retainer that is bonded to the back side of the front teeth to keep the teeth from shifting from their new position.

habit appliance

An appliance designed to deter thumb or finger sucking habits.

headgear

Generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage.

Herbst appliance

Fixed or removable appliance designed commonly for overbite problems.

impressions

An imprint or mold of the teeth used to design an orthodontic treatment plan.

interceptive treatment

Interceptive treatment, also known as early treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment usually performed between the ages of 6 and 10. This phase of treatment makes future orthodontic treatment faster and less invasive.

lingual appliances

Orthodontic appliances fixed to the interior (tongue) side of teeth.

MARA appliance

A growth appliance that helps correct overbites by positioning the patient’s lower jaw forward.

maxillary

Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.

mouthguard

A mouthpiece that is tailored to provide protection to the teeth while the patient is playing a sport.

palatal expander

Attached to the upper molars through bonding or by cemented bands, the palatal expander is used to create a wider space in the upper jaw.

radiograph

A permanent image, typically on film, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes called an X-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation.

retainer

Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment.

separator (spacer)

Small elastics that fit snugly between certain teeth to move them slightly so bands can be placed around them later.