orthodontics

1 of 2

noun

or·​tho·​don·​tics ˌȯr-thə-ˈdän-tiks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth (such as malocclusion) and their correction (as by braces)

also : the treatment provided by a specialist in orthodontics

orthodontic

ˌȯr-thə-ˈdän-tik 

adjective

orthodontically

ˌȯr-thə-ˈdän-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

orthodontist

ˌȯr-thə-ˈdän-tist 

noun

orthodontic

2 of 2

adjective

or·​tho·​don·​tic ¦ȯr-thə-¦dän-tik 

: of or relating to orthodontics

orthodontic studies

: involving the methods of orthodontics

orthodontic care of facial abnormalities

orthodontically

¦ȯr-thə-¦dän-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

That doesn't mean that adults can't have braces. Healthy teeth can be orthodontically treated at any age.

—Kimberly Gragg, The Asheville (North Carolina) Citizen-Times, 24 June 2014

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary orthodont- (from New Latin orthodontia) + -ic

First Known Use

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for orthodontics

• endodontics
• prosthodontics
• periodontics

Kids Definition

orthodontics

noun

orth·​odon·​tics

ˌȯr-thə-ˈdänt-iks

: a branch of dentistry dealing with faults in the arrangement and placing of teeth and with their correction (as by means of braces)

orthodontic

-ˈdänt-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

orthodontics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

orth·​odon·​tics -ˈdänt-iks 

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

orthodontic

-ik 

adjective

orthodontically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb