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 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. back to
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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 -Back teeth
used for chewing. Bitewings - X-rays that help a dentist
diagnose cavities. Bonding - Application of tooth-colored
resin materials to the surface of the teeth. Bridge - A
fixed or removable appliance that replaces lost
teeth. Bruxism - Teeth grinding. back to
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C
Calculus - A sticky substance (also called tartar) that has
hardened. 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 - Another term for decay, which causes
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 cover that is placed on the top
of a tooth following restoration. Cusps - The pointed parts
on top of the back teeth's chewing surface. Cuspids - Front
teeth that typically have a protruding edge. back to
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D Dentin - The tooth layer underneath the
enamel. Denture - A removable set of teeth. back to
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E Endodontics - A form of dentistry that
addresses problems affecting the tooth's root or nerve. back to
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F Fluoride - A naturally occurring
substance added to water, toothpastes and some rinses and used for strengthening
the tooth's enamel. Fluorosis - A harmless over-exposure to
fluoride and resulting sometimes in tooth discoloration. back to
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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. back to top
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. back to top
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. back to top
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. back to top
N Neuromuscular Dentistry - Are
more than the aches and pains felt in and around the neck and head that are
associated with your teeth and jaw.
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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. back to
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P Palate - Roof of the
mouth. Partial denture - A removable appliance that replaces
teeth. Also called a bridge. Pedodontics - 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. back to
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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. back to top
S Sealant - A synthetic material
placed on the tooth's surface that protects the enamel and chewing
surfaces. back to top
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. back to top
V Veneer - A laminate applied or
bonded to the tooth. back to top
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. back to
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