Orthodontics

Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite." Orthodontics is one of the 8 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The practice of orthodontics involves the design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance. The first professional organization for orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), was founded in 1900. It holds the largest yearly gathering of orthodontists in the world, in association with the International Orthodontic Congress and the World Federation of Orthodontists. Some 9,000 dental specialists attend this annual meeting to learn the latest orthodontic treatments.
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That branch of dentistry concerned with the correction and prevention of irregularities and malocclusion of the teeth. SYN: dental orthopedics, orthodontia. [ortho- + G. odous, tooth]
- surgical o. the correction of occlusal abnormalities by the surgical repositioning of segments of the mandible or maxillae containing one to several teeth; or the bodily repositioning of entire jaws to improve function and esthetics. SYN: orthognathic surgery.

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orth·odon·tics -'dänt-iks n pl but sing in constr
1) a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth and their correction (as by means of braces)
2) the treatment provided by an orthodontist
orth·odon·tic -ik adj
orth·odon·ti·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

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n.
the branch of dentistry concerned with the growth and development of the face and jaws and the treatment of irregularities of the teeth. See orthodontic appliance.
• orthodontic adj.

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or·tho·don·tics (or″tho-donґtiks) [ortho- + odont- + -ic] the branch of dentistry concerned with the supervision, guidance, and correction of the growing or mature dentofacial structures. Called also dentofacial orthopedics and orthodontology. orthodontic adj

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • orthodontics — n. (Med.) A branch of dentistry specializing in the treatment of the teeth so as to make the teeth align properly within the mouth; it usually involves fitting a patient with braces and sometimes oral surgery. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • orthodontics — 1909, from Mod.L. orthodontia (1849), from ORTHO (Cf. ortho ) + odon (gen. odontos) tooth (see TOOTH (Cf. tooth)). Orthodontist is attested from 1903 …   Etymology dictionary

  • orthodontics — ► PLURAL NOUN (treated as sing. ) ▪ the treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaws. DERIVATIVES orthodontic adjective orthodontist noun. ORIGIN from Greek odous tooth …   English terms dictionary

  • orthodontics — [ôr΄thōdän′shə, ôr΄thōdän′shə, ôr΄thə dän′shē ə, ôr΄thə dän′shē əôr΄thə dän′tiks] n. [ModL: see ORTH(O) , ODONT, & ICS] the branch of dentistry concerned with diagnosing, correcting, and preventing irregularities of the teeth and poor occlusion:… …   English World dictionary

  • Orthodontics — Orthodontist Occupation Names Orthodontist Activity sectors Dentistry Description Education required …   Wikipedia

  • orthodontics — orthodontic, orthodontal, adj. orthodontist, n. /awr theuh don tiks/, n. (used with a sing. v.) the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention and correction of irregular teeth, as by means of braces. [1905 10; ORTH + ODONT + ICS] * * * ▪… …   Universalium

  • orthodontics — noun plural but singular in construction Date: 1909 a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth (as malocclusion) and their correction (as by means of braces) • orthodontic adjective • orthodontically adverb • orthodontist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • orthodontics — noun , A specialty of dentistry concerned with correcting misalignment of teeth …   Wiktionary

  • orthodontics — or|tho|don|tics [ˌo:θəˈdɔntıks US ˌo:rθəˈda:n ] n [U] [Date: 1900 2000; Origin: ortho straight (from Greek; ORTHODOX) + Greek odous tooth ] the skill or job of helping teeth to grow straight when they have not been growing correctly… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • orthodontics — or|tho|don|tics [ ,ɔrθə dantıks ] noun uncount the part of DENTISTRY that deals with making teeth straight ╾ or|tho|don|tic adjective …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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