A
Archwire
The metal wire that runs through the brackets on braces. It applies the pressure that moves teeth. Orthodontists change the wire periodically — usually progressing from flexible to stiffer wires — as treatment advances.
Attachments (aligner)
Small tooth-coloured resin 'bumps' bonded onto teeth to help clear aligners grip and move teeth more precisely. Commonly used for rotations, extrusions, and other complex movements.
B
Band
A metal ring that wraps around a molar tooth, used to anchor the brace or other appliances such as headgear or expanders.
Bond-up
The appointment at which brackets are fitted and bonded to the teeth. Also called the fitting or placement appointment.
Bracket
The small metal or ceramic fitting bonded to each tooth. The archwire threads through slots in the brackets to apply force.
British Orthodontic Society (BOS)
The professional body representing orthodontists in the UK. Membership indicates a commitment to professional development and clinical standards.
C
Class I / II / III occlusion
Classifications of how the upper and lower teeth relate. Class I is a normal bite relationship; Class II describes an overbite (upper jaw protrudes); Class III describes an underbite (lower jaw protrudes).
Crossbite
A bite problem where one or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting. Can affect the front teeth (anterior crossbite) or the back teeth (posterior crossbite).
Crowding
When there is insufficient space in the dental arch for all teeth to sit in line. It causes teeth to overlap, rotate, or push out of alignment.
D
Debond
The appointment at which braces are removed. Brackets are detached and any adhesive residue is polished away before retainers are fitted.
Diastema
A gap between two teeth, most commonly the upper front teeth. Can be present naturally or develop after extractions.
E
Elastic (orthodontic)
Small rubber bands worn between hooks on the upper and lower braces to apply force that corrects bite problems. Unlike ligature ties, these are placed and removed by the patient.
Expansion (palatal)
A treatment that widens the upper jaw (maxilla) to create more space or to correct a crossbite. Usually done with a palatal expander appliance in growing patients.
Extraction
Removal of one or more teeth to create space in the arch. Commonly needed when crowding is severe. Carried out by a general dentist or oral surgeon before or during brace treatment.
F
Fixed retainer
A thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth after treatment. Holds teeth in position long-term without any effort from the patient. Also called a bonded or permanent retainer.
Fixed braces
Orthodontic appliances that are cemented to the teeth and cannot be removed by the patient. Includes metal, ceramic, self-ligating, and lingual braces.
G
GDC (General Dental Council)
The UK regulator for dental professionals. Orthodontists must be registered with the GDC to practise. Specialist orthodontists have additional postgraduate training and appear on the GDC specialist register.
I
Impressions
Moulds taken of the teeth using dental putty or a digital scan. Used to create study models, retainers, and aligners.
Incisor
One of the four front teeth in each jaw. They are the most visible teeth and commonly the focus of alignment concerns.
IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need)
A clinical scoring system used in the UK to assess how much a patient's teeth need orthodontic treatment. The score determines NHS eligibility for patients under 18.
L
Ligature
The small elastic or metal tie that holds the archwire into the bracket slot. Elastic ligatures come in a range of colours and are changed at each adjustment appointment.
Lingual braces
Braces fitted to the back (tongue-side) surfaces of the teeth. Virtually invisible from the front. Require specialist training to fit and adjust.
M
Malocclusion
A clinical term for a 'bad bite' — when the teeth or jaws do not align correctly. Includes overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and deep bite.
Molar
The large back teeth used for grinding. Orthodontic bands are often placed on the first molars to anchor the brace.
O
Open bite
When the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are together. Can be caused by thumb sucking, tongue thrust, or skeletal factors.
Orthodontist
A dental specialist who has completed at least three years of postgraduate training in orthodontics after qualifying as a dentist. Registered on the GDC specialist register.
Overjet
The horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth. Often called 'sticking out teeth' colloquially. Distinct from overbite, which is the vertical overlap.
Overbite
The vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. A deep overbite means the upper teeth cover most or all of the lower front teeth.
P
Palate
The roof of the mouth. The hard palate at the front is bone; the soft palate at the back is soft tissue.
Patient charge (NHS Band 3)
The standard NHS charge for orthodontic treatment in England (for qualifying patients). The charge covers the full course of treatment.
R
Records
Clinical documentation collected before treatment begins: photographs, X-rays (OPG and lateral ceph), and sometimes study models or digital scans.
Refinement
Additional aligners issued during or after a clear aligner course to fine-tune tooth positions. Whether refinements are included in the treatment fee varies by practice and system.
Relapse
Movement of teeth back towards their original position after orthodontic treatment ends. Prevented by consistent retainer wear.
Removable retainer
A retainer that can be taken out, typically a clear plastic tray similar to an aligner or a traditional Hawley retainer with a metal wire. Worn nightly long-term to maintain results.
Retention
The phase of orthodontic care after braces or aligners are finished. The aim is to hold teeth in their new positions using retainers.
S
Self-ligating braces
A type of fixed brace that uses a built-in clip or door mechanism to hold the archwire, rather than elastic ligatures. Associated with reduced friction and potentially fewer adjustment appointments.
Separator
A small rubber ring or metal spring placed between back teeth a few days before bands are fitted. Creates a small gap so the band can be slipped on easily.
Specialist orthodontist
A dentist who has completed postgraduate specialist training in orthodontics and is registered on the GDC's specialist list.
T
Torque
Rotational force applied to a tooth to move its root in or out relative to the crown. An important component of precise bite correction.
Treatment plan
The written plan agreed before treatment begins, detailing what treatment will be provided, the expected duration, costs, and what's included.
U
Underbite
When the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth. Can be dental (tooth-related) or skeletal (jaw-related). Significant skeletal underbites may require surgical input.
W
Wire (archwire)
See Archwire. Commonly progresses from a flexible nickel-titanium wire at the start of treatment to a stiffer stainless steel wire as treatment advances.
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