Boschken Orthodontics: All those Orthodontic Terms!

It may feel like you’re learning to speak a different language when you’re talking to professional dental specialist, but it doesn't have to be that way!  Here is a quick guideline on some of the terms commonly used by orthodontists and dentists alike.

Anterior Teeth: Front teeth.


Crossbite: One or more upper teeth (either in the front of your mouth or, more commonly in the back) fit behind the lower teeth, instead of in front of those teeth.  It’s extremely important this condition be identified and corrected because it can alter your skeletal growth.




Overbite: One or more upper teeth come down too low over the bottom teeth.  Too much overbite is often called a “deep bite.”






Open Bite: The upper and lower teeth don’t touch.  An anterior (front teeth) open bite is when the front teeth don’t touch the lower teeth and is often the result of thumb-sucking or a pacifier habit as an infant.



Buccal: The side of the mouth closest to your cheek.

Palatal: The side of the mouth closest to the roof of your mouth.

Lingual: The side of the mouth closest to your tongue.

Occlusion: How the teeth bite together between the upper and lower jaws.  Ideally, the upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth, so the points of the upper molars fit thebumps and  grooves of the lower molars.  This gives you a good bite.

Malocclusion:  You have a malocclusion when the teeth are not fitting together properly.   Common types of malocclusions include crowding, gaps or excessive spacing between teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite and open bite.

Class I Occlusion: Your back teeth are properly aligned and allow for ideal chewing.

Class II Occlusion: Your upper teeth are too far forward compared to your lower teeth, or your bottom teeth are too far back compared to your upper teeth and jaw. This condition makes it look like you have a very small lower jaw or a "weak chin."


Class II, Division 1: Your upper middle front teeth, called the central incisors, flare out over your lower teeth, resulting in an overjet (too much flaring.)  This condition is also known as bucked teeth.





Class II, Division 2: Your upper side front teeth, called the lateral incisors, are too far forward and the central incisors are too far back over your lower teeth, often resulting in crowding and an overbite.  This condition is also known as a deep bite.





Class III Bite: Your lower front teeth are further forward than your upper teeth.  This condition is called an underbite. This condition makes it look like you have a very prominent chin.



Phase I Treatment: This is known as early interceptive orthodontic treatment for children between the ages of 6 and 10. Phase I treatment takes place while the child has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. Phase I treatment helps properly form the jaw and allows the errupting permanent teeth to be guided into their proper positions. This repositions the teeth in a much more stable place than allowing the teeth to come in crooked, and can prevent bigger orthodontic problems from developing in the future.  While Phase I treatment can help with many orthodontic problems, it’s common to still need Phase II treatment once all the permanent teeth have grown in .

Phase II Treatment:  This type of treatment is recommended when all of the permanent teeth have come in. It often involves braces or other appliances to straighten the permanent teeth and properly align the bite.  Some Phase II cases can be treated with clear aligner therapy, such as Invisalign® instead of conventional braces.
For more information about orthodontic conditions and treatments, please visit http://www.drboschken.com/.  There you will find further helpful information at your fingertips! Give us a call if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation (408) 225-6660.