orthodontics
/ˌɔːθəˈdɒntɪks
/(also orthodontia /ˌɔːθəˈdɒntɪə/)
plural noun [treated as singular]
The treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaws.The branch of dentistry that specialises in aligning teeth is called orthodontics....
- If your child wears braces, a retainer, or other orthodontics, ask the orthodontist about dental care.
- This may involve orthodontics alone or orthodontics together with intervention from another dental discipline.
Derivatives
orthodontic
/ adjective ...- Children with clefts usually have extensive surgery in their mouths and often undergo dental and orthodontic treatment.
- Your child will be asked to put on a hospital gown and to remove any loose orthodontic braces, false teeth and jewellery.
- Children usually get orthodontic treatment in the adolescent years.
orthodontically
- These problems can be fixed by grafting bone matter onto the alveolus, which allows the placement of your child's teeth to be corrected orthodontically.
- His face looked drawn, but he smiled broadly, displaying a glistening row of white, orthodontically perfect Southern California teeth.
orthodontist
/ noun ...- If your child wears braces, a retainer, or other orthodontics, ask the orthodontist about dental care.
- After that, your child's orthodontist will wait until the remainder of your child's permanent teeth come in before beginning the second phase.
- Your orthodontist will explain which is most suitable for your particular malocclusion.
Origin
Early 20th century: from ortho- 'straight' + Greek odous, odont- 'tooth'.