Glossary/Definitions... Appliance – The term “orthodontic appliance” refers to the apparatus being used to straighten the teeth. It can mean braces, or a retainer, or a headgear (night brace), or any of several items used during treatment. Bands – This is the term used to describe a brace that fits like a ring around a tooth. It is generally used only on the back molar teeth. Bracket – A bracket is the small brace that you see fixed to the front surface of a tooth. They can be a silver color (surgical stainless steel), or clear (ceramic or plastic), or plated with 24 karat gold. Elastics – Several different elastic forces are used by Dr. Prince. Some come in bright colors that hold the wire into the braces. These are changed each month and many patients enjoy matching the holiday colors or just matching their moods. Other elastics are larger and may be used to connect upper and lower teeth to aid in shifting your “bite”. Light Cured Braces – This is a relatively recent technique for fixing the braces to your teeth. A heatless, but bright light is used to activate or “cure” the adhesive attaching the bracket to the enamel. Dr. Prince uses it almost exclusively because of its accuracy and strength of bond. Malocclusion – Literally taken, it means “wrong bite”. It obviously describes the problems an orthodontist seeks to correct. Overbite – The most common malocclusion Dr. Prince treats. It is generally characterized by the lower jaw looking small and the chin in a receded position. Reconditioned brackets – This refers to a bracket that has been used on one patient, then refurbished and sterilized to be used on another patient. While it may be safe to use this type of bracket, the thought of wearing someone else’s braces is, at least, disagreeable. Dr. Prince never has, and never will use reconditioned braces. Underbite – This describes a malocclusion where the lower jaw is too big, causing the chin to jut forward. Jay Leno has a famous face with an underbite. About Dr. Prince  •  About Our Staff  •  Our Specialties  •  FAQ  •  Glossary