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Glossary |
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 You are in Glossary |
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 cupids.
Arch - The upper or lower jaw.
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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.
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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.
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D
Dentin - The tooth layer underneath
the enamel.
Denture - A removable set of teeth.
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E
Endodontics - A form of dentistry that
addresses problems affecting the tooth’s root or nerve.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 treat
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.
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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.
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S
Sealant - A synthetic material placed
on the tooth’s surface that protects the enamel and
chewing surfaces.
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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.
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V
Veneer - A laminate applied or bonded
to the tooth.
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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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