Dental braces

Dental braces are orthodontic appliances that apply sustained forces to move teeth into improved alignment and correct bite problems. They use brackets, wires, or other components to guide tooth movement over time.

Orthodontic tooth movement: The biological movement of teeth through the jawbone under applied forces. Braces trigger this process by maintaining pressure on teeth.
Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth or an improper relationship between the upper and lower jaws. Correcting malocclusion is a central reason for prescribing braces.
Metal braces: Fixed orthodontic braces with metal brackets connected by an archwire. They are a widely used fixed-brace design for moving teeth.
Orthodontic retention: The phase of orthodontic care that maintains tooth positions after active treatment. Retainers help prevent teeth from shifting after braces are removed.
Removable orthodontic appliance: An orthodontic device that can be taken out of the mouth by the wearer or clinician. Unlike fixed braces, removable appliances depend on being worn as prescribed.
Periodontal ligament: The connective tissue between a tooth’s root and the surrounding alveolar bone. It transmits orthodontic forces and enables bone remodeling around moving teeth.
Overbite: Vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. Braces can reduce excessive overlap by repositioning teeth.
Ceramic braces: Fixed braces with tooth-colored or translucent brackets. They use the same basic mechanics as metal braces with less visible brackets.
Orthodontic relapse: The tendency of teeth to move back toward their positions before orthodontic treatment. Relapse is a reason retention continues after braces treatment.
Functional appliance (orthodontics): An orthodontic appliance that influences jaw relationships by changing muscle and bite forces. These appliances primarily address jaw relationships rather than directly aligning teeth with brackets and wires.

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ToothbrushRelated: Brackets and wires create surfaces where plaque collects and brushing becomes harder.