Kinetor developed by Stockfisch
See Kinetor
Labial
Labial is a directional term for: in the direction of the lip.
Lacebacks
Lacebacks are eight-shaped metal ligatures between canines and the last molars included in the multi-bracket appliances. They are used to accelerate space closure and prevent protrusion of front teeth.
Laterognathia
This term describes a lateral bite in the lower jaw and is often associated with an unilateral crossbite in the posterior teeth and asymmetry in the whole of the lower face. Treatment of laterognathia is either possible with orthodontic tooth movement or a surgical relocation of the lower jaw.
Laterotrusion
Laterotrusion describes the lateral movement of the mandible. Adults normally show a range of movement from 8 mm to 12 mm. This can differ without being an illness value. Different values on the left or right side are normal.
Ligature
Connection between orthodontic wires and brackets in the multi-bracket appliance, usually in the form of an elastic ring or a steel ligature.
Lingual
Lingual is a directional term for: in the direction of the tongue.
Lingual Technique
This term describes a kind of orthodontic treatment that uses a fixed brace attached to the inside of the teeth that is invisible from the outside. The Lingual Brace is the only truly invisible treatment method because a removable Aligner is not actually invisible at all. In 1975 in the USA, some orthodontists started using […]
Lip Bumper
The Lip Bumper is an appliance used for the lower dental arch and is usually attached with bands to the first molars (the first big back teeth).The Lip Bumper can either be fixed in position or can be of a removable type. The Lip Bumper can be used to tilt the first molars backwards and […]
MALU appliance
The term MALU is an abbreviation for mandibular advancement locking unit. This appliance is nothing more than a hybrid of the Herbst-Appliance. Contrary to the Herbst-Appliance MALU is used in combination with a fixed appliance. It’s advantageous because of the reduction of treatment duration, but causes a higher frequency of repairs concerning the fixed appliance.
Mandible, mandibular
The lower jaw, regarding the lower jaw, lower jaw-related
Mandibular prognathism (Angle class III)
Overgrowth of the lower jaw that is often associated with underdevelopment of the upper jaw or even the entire midface and a crossbite (inverted overbite) of the front teeth. The prognathism is a hereditary variation that can be treated in mild to moderate forms at the start of treatment in children and young adults with […]
Mandibular protrusion splint
It’s a removable appliance which temporarily moves the lower jaw forward. It is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring.
Mandibular retrognathism
The back bite of the lower jaw or the lower row of teeth, also called distal occlusion or Angle Class II.
MAP
Abbreviation for myoarthropathy of the masticatory system commonly used in Switzerland, see there
MARA
The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA) was invented by James Eckhart and Douglas Toll. It’s a fixed appliance that is used for a protrusion of the lower jaw (Angle-Class II, distal occlusion). Initial studies have shown that the results are as good as with a Herbst-Appliance, although patient comfort is not so good as with most […]
Maxilla, maxillary
The upper jaw, regarding the upper jaw, upper jaw-related
MB-Appliance
See Multi-bracket Appliance
MEAW
See Multiloop Edgewise Archwire Technique
Mediotrusion
Mediotrusion describes the mesial movement of the mandible. Adults normally show a range of movement from 8 mm to 12 mm. This can differ without being an illness value. Different values on the left or right side are normal. However, the extent of movement on the right side is greater in most people.
Mesial
Mesial is a directional term for: in the direction of the center of the dental arch.
Mesial Occlusion
This refers to an overbite in the lower jaw and is often associated with a cross-bite in the front teeth (Angle-Class III).
Mesiodens
This term refers to an excess tooth in the middle of the upper jaw. Whereas in the past, it was taught that excess teeth had to be extracted, today there is a more relaxed attitude towards them. As long as these teeth have no contact with the oral cavity, don’t develop cysts and don’t hinder […]
MFA
The Mandibular Functional Advancer, abbreviated MFA, is based on the MARA appliance, having only been slightly modified and working on the same principle (see MARA).
Mini Implants
Orthodontic mini implants (modified surgical screws) are used as temporary anchorage devices for special tooth movements. This is a technique that was developed in the 1990’s and refers to an orthodontic procedure whereby a single tooth or a group of teeth can be firmly anchored in the bone using small titanium screws. Other terms for […]
Mixed dentition
It describes the human dentition of children at the age of 6 to 11 years with milk teeth and first permanent teeth present.
Molars
The three large posterior teeth that have four or five cusps and bear the main masticatory stress.
MRT
MRT is the abbreviation for Magnetic Resonance Tomography which is a high-resolution imaging procedure that doesn’t use X-rays. Instead, it makes use of a strong magnetic field and, unlike normal X-Rays, there are no known harmful effects associated with MRT so it has proven itself to be a harmless diagnostic procedure. Since its introduction in […]
MSA – Bumann
MSA is an abbreviation for Manual Structural Analysis and was introduced by A. Bumann. It is a series of manual techniques for the examination of the mandibular joints and the chewing apparatus. Manual examination techniques (i.e. using the hands) were mainly developed in the US and the Netherlands but also in other countries. This explains […]
Multi-bracket Appliance
See: Fixed-braces
Multiband-Appliance
This is an outdated name for a multi-bracket appliance as these appliances are mainly fixed to the teeth with brackets and not with bands as they used to be. This misleading term is still widely used, even by orthodontists.
Multiloop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW)
The Multiloop Edgewise Archwire Technique (MEAW) is a fixed brace technique which was invented by Y. H. Kim in Korea. The Multiloop Technique was further spread and propagated by S. Sato in Japan. This is the reason why it’s sometimes called Sato Technique. Unlike the brackets of a fixed brace which are normally joined by […]
Myoarthropathies of the masticatory system
Common name for painful disorders of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints mainly used in Switzerland. In Germany, the term “craniomandibular dysfunction” (CMD) is rather common, but not exactly of the same meaning.
Myobrace
Myobrace are a series of simple, prefabricated orthodontic appliances that all resemble a positioner. They have been marketed by the company Myofunctional Research since about 2010 with increasing pressure in Europe. Almost every orthodontist receives regular advertising. It’s claimed that the prefabricated Myobrace appliances are mainly suitable for the early orthodontic treatment which is questionable […]
Myofascial
Muscles- and fascia-related
Myofascial Pain
Travell’s and Simon’s term for muscle and fascia pain, usually referred to as trigger point pain, with frequent projection into adjacent anatomical regions. Often misunderstood in dentistry and reflected as myofacial pain which would mean muscle pain of the face – a nonsensical term!
Nance Appliance
The Nance button or Nance holding arch is a kind of plastic button that is positioned on the palate behind the upper incisors and is attached to strips on the 1st molars by means of stiff steel wires. The Nance prevents the 1st molars from moving forwards thereby retaining enough space for the remaining teeth […]
Nervus
Latin for “nerve”
Neutral bite/eugnathia
The ideal occlusion of the upper and lower arches. The lower molars are placed a half premolar width in front of their antagonists and most of them have an ideal cusp-fossa-intercuspation. In addition, it shows an anterior overbite of 2 to 3 mm.
Neutral Occlusion
This term refers to the most common and functionally best denticulation of the upper and lower sets of teeth. With neutral occlusion, the lower 1st molars are about 3-4mm in front of the upper ones producing an ideal cusp-fossa contact relationship. Neutral occlusion also entails a normal horizontal and vertical incisors’ overbite of 2-4mm. Common […]
Nickel Titanium
Nickel Titanium (NiTi) is an alloy made from nickel and titanium, which has been used more and more in orthodontics since the 1980’s, particularly in the manufacture of orthodontic wires but also for the locking-clip on the Speed-Bracket. Most nickel titanium wires are about 25% more rigid than steel wire of a corresponding thickness. For […]
NiTi
See Nickel Titanium
Non-Occlusion
This term refers to an incorrect bite of the molars whereby the chewing surfaces of opposing teeth do not make any contact at all. In Germany this finding is also called “Scherenbiss” (= scissor bite). As a rule, non-occlusion should be treated because, if it is not, this could lead to an increasing number of […]
NTI
Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Tension Suppression System (= NTI or NTIss), in German: „Schmerzhemmendes trigeminales Hemmungs- und Unterdrückungssystem“. It’s an occlusal splint with contact to several front teeth and not very different from the common splints. Teeth grinders who grind away on their splints benefit from NTI, because the pain stimulus given by NTI inhibits the […]
Occlusal
In the direction of the occlusal surfaces, concerning the occlusal surfaces
Occlusal splint
Various forms of plastic splints for nocturnal use which are placed between the dental arches protecting teeth against parafunctional movements. In any case, they prevent teeth from grinding and in the best case, they support the relaxation of the masticatory muscles.
Occlusion
This term refers to the way that the teeth in the upper and lower jaws actually come together. In common language: the bite.
Occlusion Splints
These are removable plastic covers, usually for the upper teeth, which separate the different sets of teeth when they come together in the bite. Occlusion splints are generally worn at night in order to prevent the patient from grinding or pressing their teeth together. They are usually used for reducing pain in the jaw or […]
Open bite
Open bite describes the fact that antagonistic teeth don’t get into contact, but are separated from each other over a more or less large distance. Most of the times, it’s caused by a dysfunction of the tongue, which is permanently positioned between the upper and lower front teeth or by thumb sucking. If this bad […]
OPG
Abbreviation for orthopantomogram, a radiographic overview of teeth and jaws