Meadows Dental - Dental Dictionary

Dental Dictionary

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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 anaesthetic

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

aman:
my littlest baby boy

analgesia:
partial loss of pain sensation

anaesthesia:
absence of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is local anaesthesia; with general anaesthesia the patient is unconscious

anish:
my oldest baby boy

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

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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:
anaesthetizing 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-colour 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

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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

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

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

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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

denture:
a removable set of artificial teeth

denturism:

the production and sale of dentures by non-dentists

diastema:
the space between front teeth

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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

exodontia:
See extraction.

explorer:

a pointed instrument for examining the surfaces of teeth

extraction:
removal of a tooth/teeth

eyeteeth:
the four upper and lower canine or eye teeth


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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


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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.
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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


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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

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jacket:
crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain

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karan
my hubby and business manager


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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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