myofunctional therapy is a structured program that trains the muscles of the mouth, face, and throat. It focuses on how the tongue rests, how the lips seal, and how a person swallows and breathes. It is commonly used in dental, orthodontic, and airway-focused care as a supportive therapy. It is also used alongside speech and feeding-related care when orofacial muscle patterns are involved.

Tongue thrust is a pattern of tongue movement and posture in which the tongue presses forward or sideways against the teeth during swallowing, speech, or at rest. It is commonly discussed in dentistry, orthodontics, and speech-language care because it can be associated with bite changes and speech patterns. Clinicians use the term to describe a functional habit rather than a disease or a dental material. Tongue thrust is evaluated as part of a broader assessment of oral function, breathing, and dental development.

OSA screening is a structured way to identify people who may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It uses questions, medical history, and simple clinical observations to flag risk—not to confirm a diagnosis. OSA screening is commonly used in dental offices, primary care settings, and pre-procedure evaluations. In dentistry, it is often integrated into routine exams because the mouth and jaw can show clues related to airway health.

sleep-disordered breathing is a group of conditions where breathing becomes abnormal during sleep. It ranges from simple snoring to more complex patterns like repeated airway blockage or reduced airflow. The term is commonly used in sleep medicine and increasingly in dentistry because the mouth, jaw, and airway are closely connected. It helps clinicians describe sleep-related breathing problems without assuming a single diagnosis.

airway orthodontics is an approach to orthodontic care that considers how jaw position, dental arches, and facial growth relate to breathing. It commonly involves evaluating the nose, mouth, tongue posture, and airway space alongside tooth alignment. It is used most often in growth-age patients, but it may also be discussed in adult orthodontic planning. It is typically part of interdisciplinary care, sometimes involving sleep medicine, ENT, and myofunctional therapy providers.

TMJ assessment (ortho) is an evaluation of the jaw joints and jaw muscles as part of orthodontic care. It looks for signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), such as joint noises, pain, or limited opening. It is commonly done before braces or clear aligners and sometimes during treatment if symptoms appear. It helps document a baseline so changes can be recognized over time.

fluoride (ortho) is a fluoride-containing dental resin material used in and around orthodontic care. It is commonly applied to enamel near brackets or attachments, and sometimes for small, conservative repairs. The fluoride component is intended to support enamel protection by releasing fluoride ions. Exact formulation and performance vary by material and manufacturer.

Decalcification (ortho) is the loss of mineral from tooth enamel that can happen during orthodontic treatment. It often appears as “white spot lesions,” which look like chalky white areas near brackets or along the gumline. It is commonly associated with plaque retention around fixed appliances and changes in oral hygiene routines. Clinicians focus on preventing it and, when needed, treating or masking the changes after orthodontic care.

white spot lesions are areas of enamel that look chalky white compared with surrounding tooth structure. They most commonly reflect a change in enamel mineral content and light reflection, often from early demineralization. They are frequently discussed in cavity prevention, orthodontic care (around braces), and cosmetic dentistry. Some white spot lesions are active (ongoing mineral loss), while others are inactive (stabilized but still visible).

appliance breakage is the damage, fracture, loosening, or distortion of a dental appliance so it no longer functions as intended. It can involve removable appliances (dentures, retainers, aligners, night guards) or fixed appliances (braces brackets/wires, bonded retainers, space maintainers). It is commonly discussed in orthodontics and prosthodontics, and it can also occur with protective splints and other dental devices. Clinically, the term helps describe what failed, why it matters, and what type of repair or replacement may be considered.