Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the dental specialty that diagnoses and corrects misaligned teeth and jaws. It uses appliances such as braces and clear aligners to guide teeth and jaw growth.

Orthodontic tooth movement: The biological remodeling of bone and periodontal tissues that shifts a tooth under sustained force. It is the tissue response that makes braces and aligners capable of moving teeth.
Malocclusion: A misalignment between the teeth or between the upper and lower dental arches. It is the central condition orthodontic diagnosis classifies and treats.
Interceptive orthodontics: Early orthodontic treatment that addresses developing bite or jaw problems before permanent dentition is complete. It uses growth and eruption stages to manage selected problems before comprehensive treatment.
Prosthodontics: The dental specialty focused on restoring or replacing missing or damaged teeth and oral structures. It restores dental function and appearance, whereas orthodontics repositions existing teeth and jaws.
Root resorption: The loss of tooth-root structure through biological or pathological processes. Orthodontic treatment can cause some external apical root resorption, which clinicians monitor.
Periodontal ligament: The connective tissue between a tooth root and its surrounding alveolar bone. Orthodontic force is transmitted through this ligament, initiating bone remodeling around the tooth.
Angle's classification: A system that classifies malocclusion by the relationship of the first molars. Its classes offer a common starting point for describing bite relationships.
Rapid palatal expansion: A treatment that widens the upper jaw by separating its midpalatal suture in growing patients. It addresses transverse upper-jaw deficiency, a problem braces alone may not correct.
Periodontics: The dental specialty focused on the supporting tissues of the teeth and their diseases. It treats gum and bone conditions that can affect orthodontic treatment and tooth stability.
White spot lesion: An area of enamel demineralization that appears as a chalky white mark. Plaque around fixed brackets can raise the risk of these lesions during treatment.

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