DICTIONARY OF TERMS
A - C | D - I | J - N | O - R | S - Z
D
Damon Braces/Self-Ligating: This bracket uses the latest technology, significantly reducing the treatment time. The Damon bracket uses a small slot that allows the archwire to freely slide around inside the bracket. The archwire is held in place by a slide that works similar to a garage door. This freedom allows the teeth to move quicker, with less friction. In turn, the Damon brackets are smoother and less painful. Ask Dr. DiMassa about the possibility of getting clear braces.
Deband: The removal of your braces.
Decalcification: The loss of calcium from your teeth. This weakens your teeth and makes them more susceptible to decay.
Deciduous Teeth: Primary, or baby teeth.
Deep bite: Excessive overbite; closed bite. When your upper teeth cover more of the lower teeth than we like to see.
Diagnosis: The process of identifying the nature of a disorder.
Diastema: A space between two teeth.
Distal End Cutter: A special plier used to cut off the ends of your archwires.
E
Elastics: Elastics are another name for the rubber bands that are attached to the brackets on braces. Elastics are usually attached between upper and lower or front and back teeth. They are normally used to apply tension and to cause teeth to move in ways that braces alone cannot.
Erupt, Eruption: When a new tooth comes in; the tooth is said to erupt when the tooth breaks through the surface of your gums, so you can see the tooth in your mouth.
Explorer: A hook-like, fine-pointed instrument used in examining the teeth.
Extraction: Extraction is the surgical removal of one or more teeth to allow movement of the remaining teeth. Extraction is usually done when teeth are too crowded or where the presence of those teeth would interfere with optimal orthodontic treatment.
Extraoral photograph: Facial photos.
F
Fluoride: A chemical solution or gel, which you put on your teeth. The fluoride hardens your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.
Fixed appliance: Any orthodontic component that is cemented or bonded to the teeth.
Full orthodontic treatment: Getting braces.
I
Impacted tooth: A non-erupted tooth that has somehow gotten stuck and cannot erupt/come in.
Implant: A replacement for one of your missing teeth. The implant is different than a bridge, in that the implant is permanently attached into the bone.
Impressions: The first step in making a model of your teeth. You bite into a container filled with algenate, and the algenate hardens to produce a mold of your teeth.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment: Orthodontic treatment usually done while you are still growing. The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to expand your palate and make other corrections, so that your later orthodontic treatment goes quicker and is less painful.
