Bracket: Small attachments bonded to the teeth, used to hold the archwire in place.

Bionator: A Bionator is a removable orthodontic appliance designed to adjust the bite position or increase the bite height.

Bruxism: The involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often occurring at night.

Bonding: Bonding is a dental procedure for the cosmetic correction of discolored, chipped, or decayed teeth. It addresses discolorations, misalignments, and closes gaps between teeth.

Buccal: The side of a tooth that faces the cheek.

Bite relationship: The bite relationship refers to the alignment between the upper and lower jaws when the mouth is closed.

Band: In orthodontics, a band is a metal ring placed and cemented onto the molars as part of fixed braces.

Crossbite: A term for the overlap of the teeth in one jaw over the teeth in the opposing jaw, also known as a crossbite.

Caries: Caries is a destructive disease of the tooth enamel and dentin caused by microorganisms and acid exposure, leading to demineralization of the tooth surface.

Clear aligners: Aesthetic, transparent trays primarily used by adults (also known as aligners).

Check-up Appointments: Regular check-up appointments with the orthodontist assess the progress of the treatment, adjust the braces, replace components, and address any further steps or questions.

Crowding: In crowding, there is not enough space for the teeth, causing them to either not fully erupt or remain trapped in the jaw.

Ceramic brackets: Ceramic brackets are nearly transparent brackets made from ceramic material.

Cephalometric analysis: Determines key reference points and distances for orthodontic treatment through a lateral cephalometric X-ray of the entire skull.

Costs: Statutory health insurance covers 80% of orthodontic treatment costs for children under 18 (90% for multiple children) if the severity of the malocclusion is sufficient; the patient’s share is reimbursed after the treatment is completed. In severe cases, costs may also be covered for adults. Private insurance policies vary, and those eligible for supplementary aid must submit the treatment plan to both the supplementary aid and their insurance.

Elastics (rubber bands): Small rubber bands attached to brackets to support tooth movement.

Extraction: The removal of a tooth, often as a preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Elastoharmonizer: A fixed appliance used to correct lower jaw retrusion during and after the growth phase.

Fixed appliance: A non-removable orthodontic device, such as braces (brackets).

Functional orthodontics (FKO): A method that uses muscle forces to move teeth and reshape the jaw and temporomandibular joint.

Fixed braces: A fixed orthodontic appliance, also known as a multi-band appliance for correcting dental and jaw misalignments, consists of brackets and archwires attached to the teeth with dental adhesive.

Gummy smile: A condition where an excessive amount of gum is visible when smiling, despite normal bite and tooth alignment.

Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, often caused by plaque or poor oral hygiene.

Interceptive treatment: Early orthodontic interventions aimed at influencing the development of dental and jaw misalignments.

Invisible Braces: This term refers to braces that are aesthetically discreet, such as lingual brackets ("braces on the inside") or clear aligners.

Invisalign: A brand of transparent aligners used for orthodontic correction.

Intermaxillary elastics: These connect the upper and lower jaws through hooks on brackets or archwires and must be worn continuously, only removed for eating and brushing teeth.

Impression: An impression is a negative mold of the jaw, typically used for crowns, dentures, and large fillings. It is created either using traditional impression material or digitally.

Lingual: The side of a tooth that faces the tongue; it also refers to a type of orthodontic appliance attached to the inner side of the teeth.

Speech therapist: A specialist in speech and swallowing disorders who addresses these issues in patients through targeted training and therapy.

Laboratory: In a dental laboratory, among other things, orthodontic appliances are manufactured.

Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth or jaws that leads to an incorrect bite.

Microimplants: Small, surgically placed screws used for anchoring orthodontic appliances.

Multiband Appliance: A multiband appliance, or fixed braces, consists of brackets and wires that are bonded to the teeth with dental adhesive and is typically used when all permanent teeth have erupted.

Retainer: A removable or fixed device worn after the completion of orthodontic treatment to stabilize the results.

Retention period: The time following active treatment with fixed appliances during which retainers are used to stabilize the results.

Reverse twin-block appliance: The reverse twin-block appliance is a removable functional orthodontic appliance used primarily before the age of nine during the early mixed dentition phase.

Removable appliance: A brace or device that can be taken out by the patient themselves.

Self-ligating brackets: Brackets that have an integrated locking mechanism and do not require additional rubber bands to secure the archwire.

Side Teeth: Premolars and molars located in the posterior region of the mouth, which serve to grind food. In a complete adult dentition, there are five side teeth on each half of the jaw.

Sports Mouthguard: A sports mouthguard is a custom-made dental protector for high-risk sports such as hockey, boxing, or handball, designed to protect against dental injuries and tooth loss.

Space maintainer: A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance that keeps a gap open when a primary tooth is lost prematurely due to decay or injury, and the permanent tooth has not yet erupted.

Transposition: An anomaly where two teeth switch positions within the dental arch.

Tooth Migration: The movement of a tooth from its normal position, often as a result of tooth loss or orthodontic treatment.