A:

Abrasion: Loss of tooth structure caused by a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, or grinding or clenching the teeth.

Abscess: An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone.

Abutment: Tooth or teeth that support a bridge.

Adhesive Dentistry: Contemporary term for dental restorations involving "bonding" of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth.

Air Abrasion: Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive particles.

Alveolar Bone:: The portion of the jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.

Alveoplasty: A surgical procedure to reshape the bone that anchors teeth.

Amalgam: Common filling material, also known as "silver fillings" containing mercury (50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc.

Analgesic: A state of pain relief.

Anesthesia: Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation; freezing a tooth is an example of local anesthesia; general anesthesia produces partial or complete unconsciousness.

Anterior: Refers to the area located at the front of the mouth.

Anterior Teeth: The six front teeth in the upper or lower jawantibiotic: a drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Using antibiotics on patients who are at a high risk for bacterial endocarditis to help kill any bacteria that enter the bloodstream.

ANUG: An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease.

Apex: The tip of the root of a tooth.

Apicoectomy: Surgical removal of the root tip.

Attrition: Loss of tooth structure due to natural wear.

B:

Base: Compounds placed under a dental restoration to insulate the nerve.

Bicuspid or Pre-Molar: Fourth and fifth teeth from the front, ahead of the molars.

Bifurcation (Trifurcation): Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth.

Biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to determine its level of health.

Bite: Relationship of the upper and lower teeth when closed (occlusion).

Bitewing: Decay detecting x-rays that show only the crown portion of the teeth.

Bleaching: Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect.

Bonding: Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair.

Braces: Devices attached to teeth used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment.

Bridge: A dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to remaining teeth replacing one or more missing teeth.

Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep.

C:

Calcium: Chemical element needed for healthy teeth and bones.

Calculus: Hard buildup, commonly known as "tartar," that forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control.

Canker: Mouth sore appearing as a small ulcer, often whitish usually lasting ten to fourteen days.

Cantilever Bridge: Fixed bridge that attaches to only one tooth adjacent to the missing tooth.

Cap: Common term for a dental crown.

Caries: Tooth decay or cavities.

Cavitron: Dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth.

Cellulitis: Soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling.

Cementum: Hard outer covering on the roots of teeth.

Clasp: The portion of a removable partial denture that "clips" onto teeth.

Cleaning: Removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth.

Composite: Tooth coloured filling material usually hardened with a high intensity light or chemical catalyst.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental treatments performed to enhance appearance.

Cross Bite: Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth; for example an "under bite".

Crown: (1) The portion of a tooth above the gum line; (2) Dental restoration covering all or most of the natural tooth.

Curettage: Removal of diseased tissue from a periodontal pocket.

Cusp: A point or bump on the chewing surface of a posterior tooth.

Cuspid: An "eye tooth", third tooth from the front.

Cyst: A soft or hard tissue sac filled with fluid.

D:

DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery - equivalent to DMD.

Deciduous Teeth: Commonly called "baby teeth," the first set of teeth (usually twenty, five in each quadrant).

Dental Implant: Titanium screw surgically placed in the bone to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance.

Dentin: Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel.

Denture: Removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth.

Denturism: The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians.

Diastema: A space between teeth.

DMD: Doctor of Medical Dentistry - equivalent to DDS

E:

Eimplantation: Insertion and temporary fixation of tooth that has been partially or completely knocked out, resulting from traumatic injury.

Enamel: Hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line, the hardest substance in the human body.

Endodontist: Specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve chamber).

Eruption: Process of teeth protruding through the gums.

Exfoliation: Process of losing deciduous (baby) teeth.

Exodontia: Practice of dental extractions.

Explorer: Sharp instrument used to detect decay on the surface of teeth.

Extraction: Removal of a tooth.

Eye Tooth: The upper and lower canine (cuspid) teeth, third from the front.

F:

Filling: Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials.

Fistula: A gum boil; pus coming to the surface from an underlying infection site.

Flap Surgery: Lifting of gum tissue to allow exposure and cleaning of underlying tooth and bone structures.

Forceps: Instrument used for removal of teeth.

Forensic Dentistry: Practice of gathering legal evidence for body identification or judicial issues.

Freeway Space: Distance between the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position.

Frenectomy: Removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Full Denture: Removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing all upper or lower teeth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction: Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns and or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.

G:

General Anesthesia: Controlled state of unconsciousness.

Geographic Tongue: Changes in the usual colour and texture of tongue; does not require treatment.

Gingiva: Gum tissue.

Gingivectomy: Surgical removal of gum tissue.

Gingivitis: Inflammation of gum tissue.

Graft: Surgical removal of healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth (donor site) and placement in another unhealthy area (recipient site).

Gum Boil: See fistula.

Gum Recession: Exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease or surgery.

H:

Halitosis: Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.

Hematoma: Swelling and bruising due to blood seepage beneath surface tissues from a ruptured blood vessel.

HMO or DMO: Health (dental) maintenance organization which specifies a health care (dental) provider a patient may see.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Disinfecting solution used in dental irrigation procedures or as mouth rinse.

Hygienist: Dental auxiliary who cleans teeth, administers local anesthetic and performs periodontal scaling, root planing and polishing.

Hyperemia: Increased blood flow and pressure in a tooth nerve; may cause sensitivity to temperature and sweets; may precede an abscess.

I:

Impaction: Partial or completely unexposed tooth that is wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, keeping it from erupting.

Implant:: Artificial device placed in bone to replace a tooth; may anchor an artificial tooth, bridge, or denture, -see dental implant.

Impression: Mold made of the teeth and soft tissues.

Incision and Drainage: Surgical cutting of an abscess to drain pus.

Incisors: Four upper and lower front teeth first and second from front.

Infiltration: Placement of local anesthetic under the gum, allowing it to seep into bone.

Inlay: Filling made by a dental laboratory that is cemented or bonded into place.

Interocclusal: Space between upper and lower teeth.

Interproximal: Surfaces of adjacent teeth.

Intraoral Camera: A small video camera used to view and magnify oral structures and conditions.

J:

Jacket: Crown for a front tooth, usually made entirely of porcelain.

K:

L:

Laminate: Thin plastic or porcelain shell produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth.

Laughing Gas: Nitrous oxide; odorless gas that produces slight sedation; reduces anxiety and creates a state of relaxation.

Lesion: injury of bodily tissue due to infection, trauma or neoplasm.

Local Anesthesia: Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation, in the immediate vicinity of its application or injection.

M:

Malocclusion: "Bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth.

Mandible: The lower jaw.

Margin: Edge between a restoration and tooth structure.

Maryland Bridge: A bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth requiring removal of a minimum of tooth structure.

Mastication: Process of chewing food.

Maxilla: The upper jaw.

Meniscus: "Disc" or hard cushion between temporomandibluar joint and skull bone.

Milk Teeth: Deciduous (baby) teeth.

Molars: Three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.

Moniliasis (thrush): Fungus infection commonly occurring after administration of antibiotic.

N:

Night Guard: Acrylic appliance used to prevent wear and temporomandibular damage caused by grinding or gnashing of the teeth during sleep.

Nitrous Oxide: A gas used to reduce patient anxiety.

Novocain: Older brand name for a local anesthetic, currently replaced by safer, more effective agents.

NSAID: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, often used as a dental analgesic.

O:

Occlusion: Relationship of the upper and lower teeth upon closure.

Onlay: Laboratory produced restoration covering one or more cusps of a tooth.

Oral Cavity: The mouth.

Oral Hygiene: Process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and related structures.

Oral Pathologist: Dentist specializing in the study of oral diseases.

Orthodontics: Dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth (braces).

Osseous: Pertaining to the bones.

Overbite: Vertical overlap of the front teeth.

Overdenture: Denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants.

Overjet: Horizontal overlap of the front teeth.

P:

Palate: Hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth.

Palliative Treatment: Non-invasive relief of irritating conditions.

Parasthesia: A partial loss of sensation; may be temporary or permanent.

Partial Denture: Removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing one or more teeth.

Pathology: Study of disease.

Pediatric Dentistry: Dental specialty focusing on treatment of children.

Periapical (PA): (1) Region at the end of the roots of teeth; (2) An x-ray taken to see the ends of the roots of teeth.

Periodontal Chart: Record measuring the depth of gum pockets around the teeth.

Periodontal Surgery: Reshaping gum and supporting tissue due to disease or for aesthetic reasons.

Periodontist: Dental specialist treating the gums and hard tissues supporting natural teeth.

Permanent Teeth: Adult teeth (usually thirty-two).

PFM: Restoration with metal understructure (for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance).

Pit: A small defect in the tooth enamel.

Plaque: Soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed of bacteria and food debris which accumulates on teeth due to inadequate dental hygiene.

Pontic: False replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance.

Porcelain Crown: All porcelain restoration covering the crown portion of tooth (above the gum line) porcelain fused to metal.

Porcelain Inlay or Onlay: Tooth-coloured restoration cemented or bonded in place.

Porcelain Veneers: A thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory, bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighten teeth or change colour and/or shape.

Post: Thin metal rod cemented into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy (like reinforcing bar in concrete).

Post-Core: Post and buildup material replacing lost tooth structure to retain a crown.

Post-Crown: Single unit that combines post-core and crown as one piece.

Prognosis: The anticipated outcome of treatment.

Prophylaxis: Cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Prosthesis: An artificial appliance for the replacement for one or more teeth.

Prosthodontist: Dental specialist skilled in restoring or replacing teeth with fixed or removable prostheses (appliances).

Pulp: The nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth.

Pulp Cap: A medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue.

Pulp Chamber: The center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp.

Pulpectomy: Complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth).

Pulpitis: Inflammation of the pulp; common cause of toothache.

Pulpotomy: Partial removal of the majority of the pulp tissue.

Pyorrhea: Older term for periodontal (gum) disease.

Q:

Quadrant: One of the four equal sections of the mouth. The upper right, upper left, lower right or the lower left.

R:

Reline: Replacement of acrylic portion of a denture base to compensate for bone loss; direct: done at in the office; indirect: in conjunction with a dental laboratory.

Restoration: Replacement of a portion of tooth structure.

Retained Root: Piece of a root remaining in jaw after extraction or fracture of a natural tooth.

Root: Portion of the tooth that connects it to the jaw bone.

Root Canal: (1) Common term for root canal treatment; (2) The interior space in the root of the tooth which houses the nerve.

Root Canal Therapy: Process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert material.

Root Resection: Removal of a portion of diseased root structure, allowing the remainder of the natural tooth to survive.

Rubber Dam: Latex sheet used to isolate one or more teeth from contamination by oral fluids and to keep materials from falling to the back of the throat during dental procedures.

S:

Saliva: Clear fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, mucus and indigested food particles.

Saliva Ejector: Suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva.

Salivary Glands: Located under tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva.

Scaling and Root Planing: Removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above and below the gum line.

Sealants: Thin resin material bonded in the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of back teeth for the prevention of food entrapment and decay.

Secondary Dentin: Reparative tooth structure produced by the pulp in response to trauma.

Sequestrum: Piece of bone loosened in an extraction site.

Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinus that may mimic dental pain.

Sleep Apnea: The periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep.

Space Maintainer: Dental device that holds the space following premature loss of a baby tooth.

Splint: Connecting of two or more teeth together so they function as a stronger single structure.

Supernumerary Tooth: Extra tooth.

Suppuration: Bacterial pus.

Surgeon: A dental specialist who manages the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures.

Surgery: Surgical procedures on the mouth including extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and repair of fractured jaws.

T:

Tartar: Common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth.

Third-Party Provider: Insurance company, union, government agency that pays all or a part of cost of dental treatment.

TMD (or tmj disorder): Temperomandibular disorder; term given to condition with symptoms of facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw.

TMJ: The temporomandibular joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.

Tooth Whitening: A chemical process to lighten the colour of teeth.

Topical Anesthetic: Gel that produces mild anesthesia when applied to tissue surface.

Torus: Boney "bump" on the palate or lower jaw.

Transplant: Placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth.

Trauma: Injury caused by decay, external force, chemical, 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 dental arch.

V:

Veneer: Porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.

Vertical Dimension: Space between upper and lower jaws upon closure; may decrease over time due to wear, shifting or damage to the teeth.

W:

Wisdom Teeth: Third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25.

X:

Xerostomia: Dry mouth or decrease in the production of saliva.

Y:

Z: