Glossary
Please click on any of the glossary terms below to view their definition.
is the slow degradation of a tooth as a result of acid production generated by the bacterial digestion of sugars
The technical term for the progressive decay of a tooth or teeth
is a sticky build up of saliva, food and bacteria that attaches to the teeth.
a tooth that is not yet come through the gum tissue.
a localized infection of a tooth and/or the gum.
is the outside of one’s mouth.
is the inside of one’s mouth.
The very bottom of the root of your tooth
is inflammation and irritation of the gums which, if left untreated, can cause the jawbone and teeth to deteriorate and fall out.
A disease of the gum tissue that can cause inflammation and bleeding.
Cells which help create the sockets in bones.
Cells which aid the growth and development of teeth and bones.
when all of their teeth are missing from either their upper or lower jaw
is the application of a desensitizing agent to remove the sensitivity of ones tooth.
is the space in between ones teeth.
the surface of the tooth that is between one’s tooth towards the back of the tooth.
the surface of the tooth that is in between one’s tooth towards the front of the tooth.
The biting edge of your centrals and laterals.
The tooth surface next to your lips
The tooth surface which is next to your cheeks.
The tooth surface next to your tongue.
the chewing or grinding surface of one’s teeth.
An adjective used to describe things pertaining to your front teeth.
An adjective used to describe things pertaining to your back teeth.
a small defect in the tooth enamel, usually found on the back teeth.
root remaining in jaw after tooth is extracted or broken off.
the removal of the infected portion of the pulp.
total removal of the pulp.
removal of gum tissue.
inflammation of the pulp.
your upper jaw
Your lower jaw
removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive.
A local anesthetic is a type of medication that is administered to numb the pain in a specific area of the body.
is a gel that is applied to one’s gums before the local anesthetic is given to numb the area of injection.
a bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth.
A porcelain ceramic tooth that is bonded to two adjacent porcelain-crowned teeth without the ability to remove it.
A type of prosthetic appliance that is used for the purpose of replacing a missing tooth or teeth.
A type of restorative prosthetic appliance that is used to help strengthen or replace parts of a missing tooth.
A type of prosthetic device that is inserted into the upper or lower jawbone, onto which an artificial tooth, crown or bridge can be anchored.
A type of artificial tooth mounted on a fixed dental bridge and used to replace a missing natural tooth.
Artificial teeth that are intended for the partial or complete replacement of missing teeth.
denture that fits over tooth roots or dental implants.
Supports a fixed or removable dental bridge used to replace a missing tooth.
Are restorative devices that can be used in place of dental fillings to treat tooth decay / damage.
a post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure.
Refers to the removal of plaque and other such staining from the surface of a tooth.
A type of topical gel / liquid for the purpose of preventing tooth decay.
procedure used to remove plaque and calculus from the root of the tooth.
A technique used to bind an artificial material with the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes
is a plastic material used in bonding, restorative, and replacement procedures
A silver/mercury mixture which is used for fillings
A procedure where the nerve of a heavily decayed tooth is removed from the tooth replaced with a filling material to eliminate pain.
is when the tooth, cracks or chips, may cause pain.
Removal of a tooth or teeth.
A type of thin material that is used for restorative or aesthetic purposes to improve the look of one smile.
material used for crowns.
materials used for crowns.
A soft tissue located in the centermost part of a tooth.
The calcium part of a tooth below the enamel containing the pulp chamber and root canals.
is hardened mineralized plaque that adheres to the teeth and roots.
A fibrous connective tissue that envelops the root of a tooth.
The hard white substance on the outside of the tooth and it is one of the most mineralized substances in the body.
Defined as the clenching or grinding of the teeth at night.
professional cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or hygienist.
a photo of one’s tooth structures.
is the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull.
A vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth.
increased projection of the upper teeth in front of the lower teeth.
the bottom teeth are shifted to one side or shoved forward or backward.
is when ones teeth do not make contact with each other.
is the shrinking of ones gum tissues away from the tooth.
the space between the root of ones tooth and there bone.
another name for ones gum tissues.
Refers to the misalignment of the lower and upper teeth.
region of division of the roots of the tooth that is exposed.
the looseness of ones teeth.
is the practice of preventing and correcting the irregularities of ones teeth.
is the loss of calcium, due to bacteria and plaque sitting on the teeth.
is the measurement of the depth of the pocket between the root and gums.
is the discoloration of the gums due to little bits of amalgam becoming embedded in the gum tissues at the time of an amalgam filling.