Occlusal: The chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Occlusal Equilibration: The reshaping process of refining and perfecting the occlusion or bite, usually by adjusting the natural teeth.
Occlusal Plane: The imaginary surface on which upper and lower teeth meet.
Occlusal Radiograph: The only x-ray that is taken with out a precisionT x-ray holder. The x-ray film for this procedure is shaped like a large oatmeal cookie. You are asked to bite on the x-ray film and the top of the x-ray machine is positioned over your nose for a maxilla.
Occlusion: The alignment and spacing of your upper and lower teeth when you bite down.
Oms: Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Onlay: A laboratory processed restoration made of metal, porcelain or acrylic that replaces one or more of the highest points of the tooth (cusps).
Opacity: Opaque spot on an x-ray stemming from a body's relative ability to block the transmission of radiant energy.
Open Bite: A malocclusion in which the teeth do not close or come together in the front of your mouth.
Oral: pertaining to the mouth.
Oral Surgery: Surgery of the mouth.
Ortho: See Orthodontics.
Orthodontia: See Orthodontics.
Orthodontic Appliance: anything the orthodontist attaches to your teeth to move your teeth or to change the shape of your jaw.
Orthodontic Chain: A stretchable plastic chain used to hold arch wires in to brackets and to move teeth.
Orthodontic Tracing: See cephalometric.
Orthodontics (Ortho): Straightening of the teeth.
Osseointegration: The biologically acceptable healing of an implant in bone with minimal soft tissue interface development resulting in a state of anklyosis between the implant and bone.
Osteoblasts: Cells that help form bone, usually during orthodontic movement.
Overbite: Vertical overlapping of the upper teeth over the lower.
Overdenture: A removable bridge that completely covers the teeth and ridges and is attached to the remaining roots.
Overjet: Horizontal protection of upper teeth beyond the lower.