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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 and/or change the color
or shape of a tooth
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
DMD: Doctor of Medical Dentistry - equivalent to
DDS
deciduous teeth: commonly called
"baby teeth," the first set of teeth (usually twenty,
five in each quadrant)
dentin: inner layer of tooth structure, immediately
under the surface enamel
dental Implant: titanium screw
surgically placed in the bone to provide support for a dental restoration
or appliance
denture: removable (partial or complete) set of
artificial teeth
denturism: the production of dentures dispensed
directly by laboratory technicians
diastema: a space between teeth
E
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
eimplantation: insertion and temporary fixation
of tooth that has been partially or completely knocked out, resulting
from traumatic injury
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
freeway space: distance between
the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position
forceps: instrument used for removal of teeth
forensic dentistry: practice of
gathering legal evidence for body identification or judicial issues
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
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
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
heamatoma: 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
interproximal: surfaces of adjacent teeth
interocclusal: space between upper and lower 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
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
NSAID: non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, often
used as a dental analgesic
nerve chamber
(root canal): the internal chamber of a tooth containing
the dental pulp
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
O
occlusion: relationship of the upper and lower
teeth upon closure
onlay: laboratory produced restoration covering
one or more cusps of a tooth
oral and maxillofacial
surgeon: a dental specialist who manages the diagnosis
and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of
the mouth and supporting structures
oral cavity: the mouth
oral hygiene: process of maintaining
cleanliness of the teeth and related structures
oral and maxillofacial
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
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 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
pedodontics or pediatric
dentistry: dental specialty focusing on treatment
of children
periodontal chart: record measuring
the depth of gum pockets around the teeth
permanent teeth: adult teeth (usually
thirty-two)
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
crown (PFM): restoration with metal understructure
(for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance)
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
root: portion of the tooth that connects it to
the jaw bone
retained root: piece of a root
remaining in jaw after extraction or fracture of a natural tooth
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
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
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
third-party provider: insurance company, union,
government agency that pays all or a part of cost of dental treatment
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
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