| A |
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| 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 |
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| baby teeth: |
the first teeth, also called deciduous teeth; usually there are twenty baby teeth
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| 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
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| 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
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| bone resorption: |
the gradual loss of bone Orthodontists use this process to "pull" teeth through bone to new positions.
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| braces: |
devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth
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| 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 |
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| calcium: |
chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves
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| 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
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| cap: |
common term for crown
|
| caries: |
tooth decay or cavities
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| cavitron: |
dental tool that uses high frequency sound waves to clean teeth
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| 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
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| chart: |
to measure the depth of the gum pockets around teeth
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| clasp: |
device that retains a removable partial denture
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| cleaning: |
removal of plaque and calculus from teeth, generally above the gumline
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| 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 |
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| decay: |
destruction of tooth structure caused by acid produced by bacteria
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| deciduous teeth: |
baby teeth
|
| dentin: |
hard, living inner layer of a tooth (the layer immediately under the outer enamel layer)
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| 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
|
| denture: |
a removable set of artificial teeth
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| denturism: |
the production and sale of dentures by non-dentists
|
| diastema: |
the space between front teeth |
| E |
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| 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
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| exodontia: |
See extraction.
|
| explorer: |
a pointed instrument for examining the surfaces of teeth
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| extraction: |
removal of a tooth/teeth
|
| eyeteeth: |
the four upper and lower canine or eye teeth |
| F |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| halitosis: |
bad breath
|
| hydrogen peroxide(H202): |
compound used as a dental whitening agent and mouthwash
|
| hyperemia: |
dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets; can precede an abscess |
| I |
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| 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
|
| 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 |
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| jacket: |
crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain |
| L |
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| 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 |
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| 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
|
| mandible: |
the lower jaw
|
| margin: |
point of contact between a restoration and the tooth
|
| Maryland bridge: |
a bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth
|
| maxilla: |
the upper jaw
|
| milk teeth: |
the baby teeth
|
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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
|
| overdenture: |
denture that fits over tooth roots or dental implants |
| P |
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| 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
|
| periodontist: |
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
|
| 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 |
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| 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
|
| retained root: |
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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
| U |
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| unerupted tooth: |
a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the jaw |
| V |
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| veneer: |
or porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate. |
| W |
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| wisdom teeth: |
the third set of molars that usually erupt when a person is 18-25 years of age |
| X |
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| xerostomia: |
decrease in production of saliva |
|
