Orthodontics. Male orthodontist using an electro- magnetic hammer to study the lower jaw and chewing reflexes of a female patient. The patient has an electrode attached to the side of her face to monitor lower jaw movement. Orthodontics deals with correcting misalignment of the jaw and malocclusion of the teeth, usually by means of dental appliances (such as dental braces) acting directly on the teeth. A malocclusion is the condition in which the teeth of the upper jaw are abnormally positioned with respect to those of the lower jaw. Severe malocclusions may require surgery.