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| A |
|
abrasion: |
loss of tooth
structure caused by tooth grinding,
an improper bite, 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, also a relatively
new technology in dentistry that often
avoids the need for anesthetic |
|
allergy: |
an unwanted bodily
response to a substance or organism
|
|
alveolar bone: |
the bone surrounding
the roots of teeth |
|
amalgam: |
the most common
material used for fillings, also called
silver fillings; a mixture of mercury
(app 50%), silver, tin, copper and
zinc used for fillings |
|
analgesia: |
partial loss of
pain sensation |
|
anesthesia: |
absence of pain
sensation; numbing a tooth is local
anesthesia; with general anesthesia
the patient is unconscious |
|
anterior teeth: |
the six upper
and six lower front teeth |
|
antibiotic: |
a drug that stops
or slows the growth of germs (bacteria)
|
|
ANUG: |
an acronym for
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis,
more commonly known as trench mouth
or Vincent's disease , often brought
on by stress and/or smoking |
|
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 |
|
baby teeth: |
the first teeth,
also called deciduous teeth; usually
there are twenty baby teeth
|
|
base: |
a cement applied
under a filling or crown to decrease
sensitivity to heat or cold and protect
the filling |
|
biopsy: |
removal of a small
piece of tissue to determine if it
is diseased |
|
bite: |
how the upper
and lower teeth come together; may
also be called occlusion |
|
black hairy tongue: |
excessive growth
of fungi that normally live in the
mouth |
|
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-colored
resin to repair and/or change the
color or shape of a tooth, most often
a front tooth |
|
bone loss: |
decrease in bone
supporting the roots of teeth; a common
result of gum disease |
|
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, "nervous"
grinding of the teeth while the patient
is asleep |
|
bruxomania: |
involuntary, "nervous"
grinding of the teeth while the patient
is awake |
| C |
|
calcium: |
chemical element
needed for healthy teeth, bones and
nerves |
|
calculus: |
hard residue,
ranging from yellow to brown, forming
on teeth when oral hygiene is incomplete
or improper |
|
canker sore: |
whitish, often
circular mouth sore lasting ten to
fourteen days |
|
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 Since this
is a dangerous condition, a dentist
or physician should be consulted as
soon as possible. |
|
cementum: |
hard tissue that
covers the roots of teeth |
|
chart: |
to measure the
depth of the gum pockets around teeth
|
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clasp: |
device that retains
a removable partial denture |
|
cleaning: |
removal of plaque
and calculus from teeth, generally
above the gumline |
|
composite: |
common bonding
mix of plastic and glass/ceramic particles;
usually cured with light or chemicals
|
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crown: |
two meanings:
(1)the portion of a tooth covered
by enamel, and (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 |
|
cyst: |
a fluid-filled
sac |
| D |
|
decay: |
destruction of
tooth structure caused by acid produced
by bacteria |
|
deciduous teeth: |
baby teeth |
|
dentin: |
hard, living
inner layer of a tooth (the layer
immediately under the outer enamel
layer) |
|
dental implant: |
a (usually) titanium
cylinder 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
|
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denture: |
a removable set
of artificial teeth |
|
denturism: |
the production
and sale of dentures by non-dentists
|
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diastema: |
the space between
front teeth |
| E |
|
enamel: |
hard tissue covering
the crown (portion above the gumline)
of a tooth |
|
endodontist: |
a specialist who
treats injuries, diseases and infections
of the tooth pulp |
|
eruption: |
the process whereby
teeth grow through the gums |
|
exodontia: |
See extraction.
|
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explorer: |
a pointed instrument
for examining the surfaces of teeth
|
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extraction: |
removal of a tooth/teeth
|
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eyeteeth: |
the four upper
and lower canine or eye teeth |
| F |
|
facing: |
the visible portion
of a crown; may be acrylic, composite
or porcelain |
|
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 |
|
flap surgery: |
loosening of gums
from bone to expose and clean underlying
tooth structures |
|
forceps: |
instrument used
to remove a tooth |
|
full denture: |
removable denture
replacing all teeth in upper or lower
arch |
|
frenectomy: |
removal of the
frenum, the thin cord of tissue that
attaches the upper or lower lips to
the gum or the tongue to the floor
of the mouth |
| G |
|
GTR: |
(guided tissue
regeneration) a new technique for
replacing bone tissue lost between
roots of teeth |
|
general anesthesia: |
a controlled state
of unconsciousness, accompanied by
a partial or complete loss of pain
sensation, protective reflexes, and
the ability to respond purposefully
to physical stimulation or verbal
command |
|
geographic tongue: |
loss of all usual
color and texture of tongue; does
not require treatment |
|
gingiva: |
the gums |
|
gingivectomy: |
removal of gum
tissue |
|
gingivitis: |
inflammation of
gum tissue |
|
gum boil: |
See fistula. |
| H |
|
halitosis: |
bad breath |
|
hydrogen peroxide(H202): |
compound used
as a dental whitening agent and mouthwash
|
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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; may anchor an
artificial tooth, bridge, or denture
|
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incision and drainage: |
making an incision
in an abscess to drain infection |
|
incisors: |
four upper and
four lower front teeth, (excludes
the canine teeth) |
|
infiltration: |
process for numbing
the upper teeth (placing anesthetic
liquid under the gum tissue and allowing
it to migrate into the bone) |
|
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
(owned by approximately 50 percent
of U S dentists |
| J |
|
jacket: |
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 |
|
laughing gas: |
common name for
nitrous oxide; used to reduce anxieties
and relax patients |
|
local anesthesia: |
elimination of
the sensation of pain, in one part
of the body by the surface application
or regional injection of an anesthetic
drug |
| M |
|
malocclusion: |
"bad bite"
or misalignment between the upper
and lower teeth |
|
managed care: |
program whereby
patient-dentist assignment and dentist
reimbursement are administered by
a separate, external organization
|
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mandible: |
the lower jaw
|
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margin: |
point of contact
between a restoration and the tooth
|
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Maryland bridge: |
a bridge that
is bonded or cemented only to the
backs of the adjacent teeth |
|
maxilla: |
the upper jaw
|
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milk teeth: |
the baby teeth
|
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molars: |
the twelve back
teeth in the entire mouth (or the
three back teeth in each fourth of
the mouth if the wisdom teeth are
in) |
| N |
|
nerve: |
common term for
tooth pulp which is the sensitive
innermost portion of a tooth |
|
nightguard: |
plastic device
that covers all of the upper or lower
teeth; used to prevent wear caused
by tooth grinding during sleep |
|
nitrous oxide: |
a gas used to
reduce patient anxiety |
|
Novocain: |
older brand name
for a local anesthetic |
| O |
|
occlusion: |
how the upper
and lower teeth come together |
|
onlay: |
laboratory-produced
restoration covering the cusps of
a tooth |
|
oral and maxillofacial surgeon: |
a specialist who
deals with the diagnosis & surgical
treatment of diseases, injuries, and
deformities of the mouth and supporting
structures. Generally requires four
additional years of training after
dental school |
|
oral cavity: |
the mouth |
|
oral hygiene: |
the process of
maintaining the cleanliness of the
mouth |
|
oral surgery: |
operations on
the mouth; for example, extractions,
removal of cysts or tumors, and repair
of broken jaw bone |
|
orthodontics: |
dental specialty
that treats misalignment of teeth
|
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overdenture: |
denture that fits
over tooth roots or dental implants |
| P |
|
palliative treatment: |
treatment that
is designed primarily to reduce or
eliminate pain |
|
parasthesia: |
loss of sensation
in part of the body |
|
partial: |
removable denture
replacing some of the teeth |
|
pedodontics: |
dental specialty
focusing on treatment of children
|
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perodontist: |
a specialist who
treats the gums and supporting structures
of the teeth |
|
permanent teeth: |
the thirty-two
adult teeth |
|
pit: |
a small defect
in the tooth enamel, usually found
on the back teeth |
|
placebo: |
a treatment that
works because of the patient's belief
in it, not because of the actual physical
change it produces |
|
plaque: |
a soft sticky
substance that accumulates on teeth;
composed largely of bacteria and food
substances suspended in saliva |
|
pontic: |
a false tooth
mounted on a bridge |
|
porcelain crowns: |
a porcelain cap
which covers the crown (that portion
above the gumline) of the tooth to
repair it or change the shape and/or
color |
|
porcelain inlay or onlay: |
a tooth-colored
filling, made of porcelain |
|
porcelain veneers: |
a thin layer of
porcelain bonded to the front and
top of a front tooth to repair or
change the color and/or shape |
|
post: |
a thin metal rod
inserted into the root of a tooth
after root canal therapy; provides
retention for a "core" which
is a buildup of material that replaces
the lost tooth structure |
|
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
|
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prognosis: |
the probable outcome
of treatment |
|
prophylaxis: |
procedure for
preserving the health and preventing
infection of teeth |
|
prosthesis: |
an artificial
replacement for a body part |
|
prosthodontist: |
a dentist who
specializes in restoring teeth, replacing
missing teeth with bridges and dentures,
and maintaining proper occlusion |
|
pulp: |
the nerves, blood
vessels and connective tissue inside
a tooth |
|
pulp cap: |
a medicated covering
over a small area of exposed pulp
|
|
pulp chamber: |
the center or
innermost portion of the tooth containing
the pulp |
|
pulpectomy: |
total removal
of the pulp in children's teeth |
|
pulpitis: |
inflammation of
the pulp; a common cause of a toothache
|
|
pulpotomy: |
partial removal
of the pulp |
|
pyorrhea: |
common term for
gum disease |
| R |
|
reimplantation: |
return to mouth
of tooth/teeth lost through trauma
|
|
reline: |
plastic buildup
of denture to compensate for bone
loss (usually accomplished in conjunction
with a dental laboratory) |
|
restoration: |
the replacement
part or portion restored on a damaged
tooth |
|
retainedroot: |
root remaining
in jaw after tooth is extracted or
broken off |
|
root: |
tooth structure
that connects the tooth to the jaw
|
|
root canal: |
common term for
root canal therapy, also the interior
space of the tooth root |
|
root canal therapy: |
process of removing
pulp of a tooth and filling it with
an inert material |
|
root resection: |
removal of root
of a tooth while retaining the crown
|
|
rubber dam: |
soft latex sheet
used to protect one or more teeth
from moisture and to keep materials
from falling to the back of the throat |
| S |
|
saliva: |
clear fluid in
the mouth containing water, enzymes,
bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells
and undigested food particles |
|
saliva ejector: |
suction tube placed
in the mouth to remove saliva |
|
salivary glands: |
located under
tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva
|
|
scaling: |
meticulous removal
of plaque and calculus from tooth
surfaces |
|
sealants: |
plastic material
bonded in the grooves and pits of
back teeth for the prevention of decay
|
|
secondary dentin: |
produced by the
pulp in response to tooth irritation
|
|
sleep apnea: |
the periodic interruption
or delay in breathing during sleep
|
|
space maintainer: |
dental device
that holds the space lost through
premature loss of baby teeth |
|
splint: |
to connect two
or more teeth so they function as
a stronger single structure |
|
supernumerary tooth: |
extra tooth |
| T |
|
tartar: |
also called calculus,
a hard deposit containing bacteria
and minerals that adheres to teeth
|
|
tmd: |
temperomandibular
disorder; term given to condition
characterized by facial pain and restricted
ability to open/move the jaw |
|
tmj: |
the temporomandibular
joint, the point where the lower jaw
attaches to the upper jaw |
|
tmj disorder: |
term given to
condition characterized by facial
pain and restricted ability to open/move
the jaw |
|
third-party provider: |
insurance company,
union, government agency that pays
all or a part of cost of dental treatment
|
|
tooth bud: |
early embryonic
structure that becomes a tooth |
|
tooth whitening: |
a process to lighten
the color of teeth |
|
torus: |
common bony growth
on the palate or lower jaw |
|
transplant: |
placing a natural
tooth in the empty socket of another
tooth |
|
trauma: |
injury caused
by a blow, chemicals, temperature
extremes, or poor tooth alignment
|
|
trench mouth: |
gum disease characterized
by severe mouth sores and loss of
tissue. See ANUG. |
| U |
| unerupted
tooth: |
a tooth that has
not pushed through the gum and assumed
its correct position in the jaw |
| V |
| veneer: |
plastic or porcelain
facing bonded directly to a tooth
to improve its appearance. See laminate. |
| W |
| wisdom
teeth: |
the third set
of molars that usually erupt when
a person is 18-25 years of age |
| X |
| xerostomia: |
decrease in production
of saliva |
|
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