A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Abutment - The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. Abutments are the part of the bridge used to support the replacement of the missing teeth (pontics).
Amalgam - Silver-colored material made from a mixture of mercury and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. Mercury makes up about 45-50 percent of the compound. Mercury is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard durable filling. Mercury has been found to be the only element that will bind these metals together in the best possible way to manipulate the material into a tooth cavity. Amalgams are usually placed on the back teeth (posterior teeth).
Anesthesia - Relieves the sensation of pain.
Anterior teeth - The front teeth (incisors and cuspids).
Arch - The upper or lower jaw.
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B
Baby bottle tooth decay - caused by exposing your child's teeth to liquids containing sugars, usually by putting the baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Primary teeth, also called "baby teeth," are important because they are essential in the development and placement of permanent teeth. Primary teeth maintain the spaces where permanent teeth will erupt and help develop proper speech patterns. Take care of your child's primary teeth. Even though primary teeth last only a few years, decay, cavities and infection can take its toll, and may require extensive treatment.
Bicuspids - The first and second bicuspids, those are the fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth that are used for chewing, they only have two points (cusps).
Bitewings - used to help diagnose cavities between the teeth.
Bonding (adhesion) - Adhering tooth-colored resin materials to restore a tooth surface.
Bonding (composite resin) - Process by which enamel-like resin is bonded to a tooth's surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and polished.
Bridge - Fixed or removable dental appliance that replaces lost teeth.
Bruxism - Clenching or grinding of the teeth.
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C
Calculus - The sticky film on your teeth (plaque) that has hardened. Also known as tartar.
Canal - The narrow chamber inside the root of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels.
Canines - See cuspids.
Canker sore - A small ulcer with a white or gray base and red border. There can be one or a number of sores in the mouth. Canker sores are very common and recur often. Canker sores and cold sores are not the same thing. Canker sores occur inside the mouth, and cold sores usually occur outside the mouth, usually on or near the lips.
Caries - Correct technical term for decay.
Cold sore - Also called a fever blister and is caused by the "herpes simplex" virus, is composed of groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometime under the nose or under the chin. Cold sores are usually caused by herpes virus type I and are very contagious.
Composite filling - Tooth colored filling. Composites are also known as resin fillings.
Composite resin - Tooth-colored filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles.
Cosmetic contouring - Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.
Cosmetic dentistry - The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.
Crown - A cap or cover, which covers the entire tooth, preventing it from further breakdown. (This procedure can also correct general bite with individual teeth or replace missing teeth.)
Cusps - The high points on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (posterior teeth).
Cuspids - The third tooth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the front teeth that have one rounded or pointed edge used for biting. Also known as canines.
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D
Deciduous teeth - See primary teeth.
Dentin - The layer of tooth structure under the enamel.
Denture - A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
Diastema - The space between two teeth.
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E
Endodontics (endo) - The treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the root tip or nerve of the tooth.
Enamel - The hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin.
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F
Fluoride - a compound of the element fluorine, which is prevalent throughout nature in water, soil, air, and in most foods. Fluoride is absorbed easily into your teeth's enamel. "Systemic" fluoride is ingested when added to potable water supplies, soft drinks and teas, and is available in dietary supplements. Once systemic fluoride is absorbed through the body's gastrointestinal tract, the blood supply distributes it throughout the entire body. Most fluoride not excreted is deposited in bones and hard tissues like teeth.
Fluorosis - a harmless cosmetic discoloring of the enamel, and visible by chalky white specks and lines or pitted and brown stained enamel on developing teeth.
Fixed bridge - A fixed dental appliance (used to replace a missing tooth/teeth) cemented or bonded to adjacent teeth which have been prepared to provide anchor supports.
Full mouth X-rays - X-rays showing all the teeth. Includes 14 periapicals and 2 or 4 bitewings. Also known as a complete series.
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G
General anesthesia - Relieves the sensation of pain on the whole body. General anesthesia renders you unconscious.
Gingiva - Gum tissue.
Gingivitis - Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria found in plaque that attack the gums. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums and possible bleeding when you brush. When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth.") In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that are infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, and a major cause of tooth loss in adults. It most often is caused by bacteria. If left along the gum line, these bacteria can irritate the gums and cause inflammation. The gums begin to bleed and swell, which allow the bacteria even more opportunity to go deeper under the gum line. In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums can become red, swollen and easily bleed. At this stage, the disease is still treatable and can usually be arrested by daily brushing and flossing.
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H
High lip line - Where the widest smile meets the gum tissue above the teeth.
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I
Impaction - An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that will not fully erupt because it is obstructed by another tooth, bone, or soft tissue.
Implant - A fixed dental appliance used to replace missing teeth. A post that is implanted in the bone. A crown, bridge or denture is then placed over the implant.
Incisor - The central or lateral front teeth with cutting edges (four upper and four lower).
Inlay - A porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) cemented or bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.
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L
Laminate veneer - A thin porcelain resin shell that is bonded to the enamel of front teeth.
Laminating - The process of applying a thin porcelain or composite resin veneer to a tooth.
Local anesthesia - Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized area.
Low lipline - Where the widest smile barely reveals the bottom edges of the upper front teeth.
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M
Malocclusion - A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.
Mandible - The lower jaw.
Maxilla - The upper jaw.
Midline - An imaginary vertical line that divides the face into equal parts.
Molars - The first, second and third molars, those are the sixth, seventh and eighth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. The back teeth with the large chewing surface on top. They have 4 points (cusps).
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N
Nightguard - A removable acrylic appliance to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (T.M.J.). Usually worn at night to prevent the grinding of teeth or relieve joint pain. Also known as an occlusal guard.
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O
Occlusal - The chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
Onlay - A porcelain, resin, or gold filling that protects a tooth by covering the chewing surface. Replaces one or more of the highest points of the tooth (cusps).
Oral surgery - Surgery of the mouth.
Orthodontics - a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws to improve your smile and oral health.
Overdenture - a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture.
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P
Palate - Roof of the mouth.
Panoramic X-ray - X-rays which are a panoramic photograph that allows the dentist to see a broad view of the entire structure of your mouth, including your jaw, in a single image. Within one large film, panoramic X-rays reveal all of your upper and lower teeth and parts of your jaw. Panoramic X-rays are a very useful screening tool used for extracting wisdom teeth, and can reveal abnormal growths or cysts in the jaw bone.
Panorex - An X-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.
Partial denture (bridge) - A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
Periapical X-rays - X-rays that show the entire tooth, including the root and surrounding bone. These are useful in diagnosing an abscess, impacted tooth or bone loss from periodontal disease.
Pedodontics - The treatment of children's teeth.
Perio pocket - The pocket that forms when the gums detach from the side of the tooth.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) - Three out of four adults over age 35 are affected by some sort of gum disease. In gum disease, the infection becomes severe. Your gums begin to recede, pulling back from the teeth. In the worst cases, bacteria form pockets between the teeth and gums, weakening the bone. All this can lead to tooth loss if untreated, especially in patients with osteoporosis.
Periodontal maintenance - Cleaning of the teeth following periodontal treatment. Also known as a perio prophy or perio recall.
Periodontist - specialist in treating gum diseases. (Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and replacement of teeth. Extensive training and experience provide prosthodontists with a special understanding of the dynamics of a smile, the preservation of a healthy mouth and the creation of tooth replacements. Serving as the "architect" of a dental treatment plan, prosthodontists collaborates with general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental and oral health concerns).
Permanent first and second molars - The adult first and second molars, they are the sixth and seventh teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. Does not include the third molar (wisdom tooth).
Permanent molars - The adult first, second and third molars.
Permanent teeth - The adult teeth. Also known as the permanent dentition.
Plaque - a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids. These foods may include carbohydrates (starches and sugars), such as candy and cookies, and starchy foods such as bread, crackers, and cereal. Plaque can lead to gum irritation, soreness, and redness. Sometimes, your gums may begin to bleed as a result of plaque. This gradual degeneration can often cause gums to pull away from teeth. This condition is called receding gums.
Porcelain - A ceramic, tooth-colored material that fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-like substance.
Posterior teeth - The back teeth (bicuspids and molars).
Primary teeth - The baby teeth. Also known as the primary dentition. The baby teeth are replaced by the adult teeth (permanent teeth).
Prophylaxis - Cleaning the teeth. Also known as a prophy.
Prosthetics - A fixed or removable appliance to replace missing teeth. Example: bridges, dentures and partials. Sometimes single crowns are considered prosthetics.
Prosthodontics - branch of dentistry concerned with the construction of artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and sometimes other oral structures or parts of the face. Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Pulp - contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue and lies within the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws.
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R
Receding gums - A condition caused by buildup of plaque, or aging, or poor brushing habits, which can lead to gum irritation, soreness, and redness. Sometimes, your gums may begin to bleed as a result of plaque. This gradual degeneration can often cause gums to pull away from teeth.
Resin-bonded bridge - A thin metal or glass fiber-reinforced bridge which requires slight or no reduction of anchor teeth.
Resin filling - See composite filling.
Restorative - Procedures performed to restore the missing part of the teeth. Some insurance companies only consider the fillings to be restorative; others consider the fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures to be restorative.
Root canal therapy - The nerve of the tooth is removed from the canal inside the root and replaced with a sterilized filling material.
Root planing - Deep cleaning of the teeth to remove calculus below the gumline. This is not a prophylaxis. This is a periodontal procedure and is usually performed one quadrant at a time.
Rubber dam - A thin rubber sheet applied to teeth to isolate them and control moisture during dental procedures.
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S
Sealants - A special material applied to the tooth surface and acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting and sitting on the grooves and pits of teeth. Sealants are best suited for permanent first molars, which erupt around the age of six, and second molars, which erupt around the age of twelve.
Sjogren's Syndrome - An autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own moisture producing glands. Approximately 2-4 million Americans have this condition. The major symptom is dry mouth.
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T
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder - The TMJ is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear. TMJ disorders are general class of health problems associated with the jaw. TMJ may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing.
Tarter - The sticky film on your teeth (plaque) that has hardened.
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V
Veneers (porcelain or composite) - Ultra-thin, custom-made laminates bonded to teeth, especially effective for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth, or unaesthetic teeth.
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W
Walking bleach - A method used to lighten a tooth that has darkened after root canal treatment.
Whitening - The process of brightening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with in-office power bleaching method or dentist-supervised, at-home whitening systems.
Wisdom tooth - The third molar, this is the eighth tooth from the center of mouth to the back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are often impacted (obstructed from erupting) and have to be extracted.
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X
Xerostomia - Dry mouth caused by medication, radiation, or malfunctioning salivary glands.
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