Glossary of Orthodontic Terms

Many factors are assessed in your initial orthodontic consultation in order to develop a thorough and individualized treatment plan.  The following are some common orthodontic terms to help you understand and navigate your way through treatment.

Malocclusion
The term used in orthodontics to describe teeth that do not fit together properly. From Latin, the term means "bad bite."

Class I Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the proper molar relationship where teeth may be crowded together, spaced apart, have an overbite, an openbite, or a crossbite.

Class II Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the upper front teeth protruding or due to the lower teeth and/or jaw positioned back relative to the upper teeth and/or jaw.

Class III Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the lower front teeth protruding or due to the lower teeth and/or jaw positioned ahead relative to the upper teeth and/or jaw.

Overbite
It is the extent of the vertical overlap of the upper incisors over the lower incisors and is measured through. Overbite measures the VERTICAL overlap between the front biting edge of your upper incisors vs. that of the lower incisors when your teeth are in their normal bite position

Deep Bite
Also known as deep overbite, this occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth an excessive amount.




Overjet

Overjet is also known as “protrusion” of teeth. Overjet measures the HORIZONTAL difference between the front biting edge of your upper incisors vs. that of the lower incisors when your teeth are in their normal bite position


Congenitally Missing Teeth
A genetic occurrence in which the expected number of permanent teeth do not develop.

Crossbite

Upper posterior (back) teeth are in crossbite if they erupt and function inside or outside of the arch in the lower posterior teeth.






Lower anterior (front) teeth are I crossbite if they erupt and function in front of the upper anterior teeth.
A crossbite can be individual teeth or groups of teeth.





Ectopic Eruption
Term used to describe a tooth or teeth that erupt in an abnormal position.




Impaction
A tooth that does not erupt into the mouth or only erupts partially is considered impacted.

Mixed Dentition
The dental developmental stage in children (approximately ages 6-12) when they have a mix of primary (baby) and permanent teeth.

Permanent Dentition
The set of 32 permanent teeth whose eruptions begin from the fifth to the seventh year, lasting until the 17th to the 23rd year, when the last of the wisdom teeth appear.