Akademik

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.