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!