A Abrasion: the loss of tooth structure caused by an improper bite, tooth grinding, a hard toothbrush or poor brushing technique Abscess: a localized infection of a tooth and/or the gum Abutment: tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or removable bridge Air Abrasion: removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive Alveolar Bone: the bone surrounding the roots of teeth Amalgam: the most common material used for fillings; a mixture of mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings Anterior Teeth: the six upper and six lower front teeth Apex: the tip of the root of a tooth Apicoectomy: removal of the root end of a tooth to treat an infection Arch: shape assumed collectively by upper and lower teeth ------------------------------------- B Base: a cement applied under a filling or crown to decrease sensitivity to heat or cold and protect the filling Bite: how the upper and lower teeth come together; may also be called occlusion Bleaching: Bleaching is a treatment that discolors teeth. Block Injection: anesthetizing a nerve that serves a large area of the jaw, usually the lower jaw; may numb teeth, tongue and half of the jaw in that area Bonding: applying a tooth-coloblue resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth, most often a front tooth Bone Resorption: the gradual loss of bone Orthodontists use this process to "pull" teeth through bone to new positions Braces: devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth Bridge: appliance cemented to teeth adjacent to a space that replaces one or more missing teeth; usually cemented or attached to teeth or implants adjacent to the space Bruxism: involuntary grinding of the teeth while the patient is asleep Bruxomania: involuntary grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake ----------------------------------------- C Calculus: hard residue that forms on teeth when oral hygiene is incomplete or improper Cantilever Bridge: fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth on one end only Cap: common term for crown Caries: tooth decay or cavities Cavitron: dental tool that uses high frequency sound waves to clean teeth Cellulitis: uncontrolled infection causing extensive swelling. Dentist or physician should be contacted immediately Cementum: hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth Cleaning: removal of plaque and calculus from teeth, generally above the gumline Composite: common bonding mix of plastic and glass/ceramic particles Crown: 1. the portion of a tooth coveblue by enamel. 2. a restoration that covers all or most of the natural tooth above the gumline Curretage: removal of dead inner tissue from a gum pocket --------------------------------------------------- D Decay: destruction of tooth structure caused by acid which is produced by bacteria Deciduous Teeth: baby teeth Dentin: the hard inner layer of a tooth Dental Implant: a titanium cylinder that is surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth Dentition: your teeth and how they are arranged in your mouth Denture: a removable set of artificial teeth Diastema: the space between the front teeth ----------------------------------------- E Enamel: hard tissue covering the crown of a tooth Endodontist: a specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp Extraction: the removal of teeth Eyeteeth: the four upper and lower canine or eye teeth ------------------------------------------------- F Facing: the visible portion of a crown Filling: restoring lost tooth structure with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin Fistula: tunnel conducting pus from one infection to the site of another; a mouth fistula is called a gum boil Full Denture: removable denture replacing all teeth in upper or lower arch ------------------------------------------------- G Gingiva: the gums Gingivectomy: removal of gum tissue Gingivitis: inflammation of gum tissue Gum Boil: tunnel conducting pus from one infection to the site of another ------------------------------------------------- H Halitosis: bad breath Hyperemia: dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets; can precede an abscess --------------------------------------------------- I Impacted Tooth: an unexposed or partially exposed tooth that is so wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue that complete exposure of the tooth is unlikely Implant: artificial device replacing tooth root Incisors: four upper and four lower front teeth, (excludes the canine teeth) Inlay: a filling made by a dental laboratory that is cemented into place, generally requires two dental appointments Intraoral Camera: a tiny TV camera used to view tissues of the mouth ---------------------------------------------------- J Jaclet: crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain ----------------------------------------------------- L Laminate: thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth to improve its appearance ---------------------------------------------------- M Malocclusion: misalignment between the upper and lower teeth Mandible: the lower jaw Margin: point of contact between a restoration and the tooth Maxilla: the upper jaw Milk Teeth: the baby teeth Molars: the twelve back teeth in the entire mouth ----------------------------------------------------- O Occlusion: how the upper and lower teeth come together Onlay: laboratory-produced restoration covering the cusps of a tooth Oral Cavity: the mouth Oral Hygiene: the process of maintaining the cleanliness of the mouth Oral Surgery: operations on the mouth Orthodontics: dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth Overdenture: denture that fits over tooth roots or dental implants ---------------------------------------------------- P Partial: removable denture replacing some of the teeth Pedodontics: dental specialty that focuses on the treatment of children Periodontist: a specialist who treats the gums and supporting structures of the teeth Pit: a small defect in the tooth enamel, usually found on the back teeth Plaque: a soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth Pontic: a false tooth mounted on a bridge Post: a thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy Post-Core: a post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure Post-Crown: single structure that combines post-core and crown Prophylaxis: procedure for preserving the health and preventing infection of teeth Prosthodontist: