Glossary
Orthodontist Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential orthodontist terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key orthodontist vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in orthodontist training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- Archwire
- Wire that moves teeth.
- Bonding
- Gluing brackets.
- Bracket
- Part glued to teeth.
- Cephalometric X-ray
- Side view of head for analysis.
- Clear aligners
- Removable plastic trays.
- Crossbite
- Teeth meeting incorrectly side to side.
- Debonding
- Removing braces.
- Elastics
- Rubber bands that correct bite.
- Interproximal reduction
- Slightly reshaping teeth.
- Malocclusion
- A bad bite.
- Overbite
- Upper teeth overlapping too much.
- Palatal expander
- Widens the upper jaw.
- Relapse
- Teeth shifting back.
- Retainer
- Holds teeth after treatment.
- Underbite
- Lower teeth in front.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Orthodontist practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Orthodontist training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.