Treatment to alleviate symptoms without curing the disease.
Glossary Terms Archive
Palate
Hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth.
Overjet
When the upper teeth are very forwardly placed, commonly called “buck teeth”.
Overdenture
A denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants.
Overbite
Refers to a lower jaw being too far behind the upper jaw or a misalignment of the teeth.
Osseous
Boney
Orthodontics
The branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention and correction of irregular teeth, as by means of braces.
Dental braces are metal or metallic braces made from an alloy that hold teeth in a certain position and then are gradually adjusted to straighten crooked teeth, close gaps between teeth, or push teeth apart in some cases.
Invisible braces are tools used to straighten teeth (minor repairs), Tools such as plates, retainers, and similar dental appliances aid in these efforts, and some are worn after the braces are removed permanently.
Oral Pathologist
A dentist specializing in the study of oral diseases.
Oral Hygiene
The process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and related structures.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
A dental specialist who manages the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures. Requires four additional years of training after dental school.