facemask is a term some dental teams use to describe a thin, flowable resin-based composite layer placed to “mask” color or to improve adaptation of a restoration. It is most commonly discussed in tooth-colored filling and cosmetic bonding workflows. The exact meaning can vary by clinician, product system, and manufacturer terminology. In general, it refers to a light-cured, tooth-colored material used in thin sections.

facebow headgear is an orthodontic appliance worn partly inside the mouth and partly outside the face. It connects to upper molars and to a neck strap or head cap to deliver controlled pulling forces. It is commonly used in orthodontics to guide jaw growth patterns or move upper back teeth (molars). It is usually prescribed for specific bite relationships, often in growing patients, based on a clinician’s diagnosis.

high-pull headgear is an orthodontic appliance worn outside the mouth to apply controlled forces to the upper teeth and jaw. It typically connects an inner wire (facebow) attached to upper molars to a headcap that sits high on the back of the head. It is most commonly used in comprehensive orthodontic treatment to guide tooth movement and, in growing patients, influence jaw growth patterns. Use and wear schedules vary by clinician and case.

cervical headgear is an orthodontic appliance worn outside the mouth to help guide tooth and jaw position. It typically uses a neck strap connected to a facebow that attaches to upper molars. It is most commonly used with braces in growing patients, but indications vary by clinician and case. Its main role is to apply controlled force to move teeth and influence jaw relationships over time.

headgear is an orthodontic appliance worn partly outside the mouth to apply gentle pulling forces to the teeth and jaws. It is most commonly used in orthodontics alongside braces or other appliances. It connects to intraoral attachments (often molar bands) and transfers force through straps around the head or neck. Its goal is to guide tooth movement and, in some patients, influence jaw growth while the face is still developing.

A distal shoe is a fixed pediatric space maintainer used after early loss of a baby molar. It includes a small extension that sits slightly under the gum to guide a permanent molar as it erupts. It is most commonly used when a primary second molar is lost before the first permanent molar has come in. The goal is to help preserve space so nearby teeth are less likely to drift into the extraction area.

A lingual holding arch is a fixed orthodontic space maintainer commonly used in the lower jaw. It is a thin metal wire that sits behind the lower front teeth (on the tongue side) and connects to bands on the back molars. Its main role is to help keep teeth in position while a child is growing and permanent teeth are erupting. It is most often used during the mixed dentition stage, when both baby teeth and permanent teeth are present.

band-and-loop is a fixed dental space maintainer most commonly used in children. It typically consists of a metal band around a tooth and a wire “loop” that holds space for a tooth that has not erupted yet. It is usually placed after early loss of a primary (baby) tooth to help guide normal eruption and alignment. It is used in pediatric dentistry and general dentistry when space maintenance is needed.

A space maintainer is a dental appliance used to hold open a gap in the mouth. It is most commonly used in children after a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected. Its goal is to keep nearby teeth from drifting into the empty space. It can be fixed (cemented) or removable, depending on the design and case.

A Nance holding arch is a fixed orthodontic appliance used to help maintain space in the upper jaw (maxilla). It typically consists of bands on the upper first molars connected by a wire and an acrylic “button” that rests against the palate. It is most commonly used in mixed dentition and early orthodontic treatment to help control molar movement. It is sometimes described as an “anchorage appliance,” meaning it helps resist unwanted tooth shifting.