Glossary
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    Glossary

    A

    Amalgam: Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth.

    Anesthesia: Medications used to relieve pain.

    Anterior Teeth: Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids.

    Arch: The upper or lower jaw.


    B

    Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s mouth.

    Bicuspids: A premolar tooth; tooth with two cusps, which are pointed or rounded eminences on or near the masticating surface of a tooth.

    Bitewings: X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities.

    Bonding : Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface of the teeth.

    Bridge: A prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or otherwise attached to the abutment teeth or implant replacements.

    Bruxism: Teeth grinding.


    C

    Calculus: A hard deposit of mineralized substance adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth or prosthetic devices.

    Canal: The narrow chamber inside the tooth’s root.

    Canines: Also called cuspids.

    Canker Sore: One that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. A canker sore is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red exterior border.

    Caries: A commonly used term for tooth decay, or cavities.

    Cold Sore: Usually occurs on the outside of the mouth, usually on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it is usually painful and filled with fluid.

    Composite Filling: Tooth colored restorations, also known as resin fillings.

    Composite Resin: A tooth colored resin combined with silica or porcelain and used as a restoration material.

    Contouring: The process of reshaping teeth.

    Crown: An artificial tooth replacement that restores missing tooth structure by surrounding the remaining coronal tooth structure. It is also placed on a dental implant.

    Cusps: The pointed parts on top of the back teeth’s chewing surface.

    Cuspids: Front teeth that typically have a protruding edge.


    D

    Dentin: The tooth layer underneath the enamel.

    Denture: A removable set of teeth.


    E

    Endodontics: A form of dentistry that addresses problems affecting the tooth’s root or nerve.


    F

    Fluoride: A harmless over-exposure to fluoride resulting in tooth discoloration.

    Fluorosis: A harmless over-exposure to fluoride and resulting sometimes in tooth discoloration.


    G

    Gingiva: Another word for gum tissue.

    Gingivitis: A minor disease of the gums caused by plaque.

    Gum Disease: An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal disease.


    I

    Impacted Teeth: A condition in which a tooth fails to erupt or only partially erupts.

    Implant: A permanent appliance used to replace a missing tooth.

    Incisor: Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the center or on the sides near the front.

    Inlay: An artificial filling made of various materials, including porcelain, resin, or gold.L

    Laminate Veneer: A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

    L

    Laminate Veneer: A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

    M

    Malocclusion: Bad bite relationship.

    Mandible: The lower jaw.

    Maxilla: The upper jaw.

    Molar: Usually the largest teeth, near the rear of the mouth. Molars have large chewing surfaces.


    N

    Neuromuscular Dentistry: Addresses more than the aches and pains felt in and around the neck and head that are associated with your teeth and jaw.


    O

    Onlay: A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a tooth.

    Orthodontics: A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw alignment.

    Overdenture: A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number of natural teeth or implants.


    P

    Palate: Roof of the mouth.

    Partial Denture: A removable appliance that replaces missing teeth.

    Pediatric Dentistry: A field of dentistry that deals with children’s teeth

    Perio Pocket: An opening formed by receding gums.

    Periodontal Disease: Infection of the gum tissues. Also called gum disease.

    Periodontist: A dentist who treats diseases of the gums.

    Permanent Teeth: The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also called adult teeth.

    Plaque: A sticky, colorless substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing.

    Posterior Teeth: The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back teeth.

    Primary Teeth: A person’s first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth.

    Prophylaxis: The act of cleaning the teeth.

    Prosthodontics: The field of dentistry that deals with artificial dental appliances.

    Pulp: The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves and connective tissue.


    R

    Receding Gum: A condition in which the gums separate from the tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooth’s enamel and surrounding bone.

    Resin Filling: An artificial filling used to restore teeth. Also called a composite filling.

    Root Canal: A procedure in which a tooth’s nerve is removed and an inner canal cleansed and later filled.

    Root Planing: Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy buildup of tartar below the gum line.


    S

    Sealant: A synthetic material placed on the tooth’s surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces.


    T

    TMJ: Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related to the jaw joint just in front of the ear.

    Tarter: A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks to the tooth’s surface.


    V

    Veneer: A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth.

    W

    Whitening: A process that employs special bleaching agents for restoring the color of teeth.

    Wisdom Tooth: Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence.

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