A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Amalgam – Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth

Anesthesia – Medications used to relieve pain

Anterior teeth – Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids

Arch – The upper or lower jaw

B

Baby bottle tooth decay – Caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s mouth

Bicuspids – Back teeth used for chewing

Bitewings – X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities

Bonding – Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface of the teeth

Bridge – A fixed or removable appliance that replaces lost teeth

Bruxism – Teeth grinding

C

Calculus – A sticky substance (also called tarter) that has hardened

Canal – The narrow chamber inside the tooth’s root

Canines – Also called cuspids

Canker sore – A sore that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. A canker sore is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red exterior border.

Caries – Another term for decay, which causes cavities

Cold sore – A core, usually outside the mouth, usually on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it is usually painful and filled with fluid.

Composite filling – Tooth-colored restorations, also known as resin fillings

Composite resin – A tooth-colored resin combined with silica or porcelain and used as a restoration material

Contouring – The process of reshaping teeth

Crown – An artificial cover that is plopped on top of the tooth following restoration

Cusps – The pointed parts of top of the back teeth’s chewing surface

Cuspids – The third teeth, counting the central, or middle tooth as #1

D

Dentin – The tooth layer underneath the enamel

Denture – A removable set of teeth

E

Endodontics – A form of dentistry that addresses the problems affecting the tooth’s root or nerve

F

Fluoride – A naturally-occurring substance added to water, toothpastes and some rinses and used to strengthen the tooth’s enamel

Fluorosis – A harmless over-exposure to fluoride, resulting sometimes in tooth discoloration

G

Gingiva – Another word for gums

Gingivitis – A minor disease of the gums cause by plague

Gum disease – An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal disease.

H

I

Impacted teeth – A condition in which teeth fail to erupt or only partially erupts

Implant – A fixture placed into the jaw which fuses with the bone so that a crown can replace a missing tooth

Incisor – Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the center or on the sides near the front

Inlay – An artificial filling made of various materials, including porcelain, resin or gold

J

K

L

Laminate veneer – A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

Laser – Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; a single wavelength beam of highly-concentrated energy

M

Malocclusion – Bad bite relationships

Mandible – The lower jaw

Maxilla – The upper jaw

Molar – Usually the largest teeth, near the rear of the mouth. Molars have large chewing surfaces.

N

Neuromuscular Dentistry – deals with the aches and pains felt in and around the neck and head, associated with your teeth and jaw

O

Onlay – A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a tooth

Orthodontics – A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw alignment

Overdenture – A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number of natural teeth or implants

P

Palate – Roof of the mouth

Partial denture – A removable appliance that replaces teeth. Also called a bridge

Pedodontics – A field of dentistry that deals with children’s teeth and facial growth

Perio pocket – An opening formed by receding gums

Periodontal disease – Infection of the gum tissues. Also called gum disease

Periodontist – A dentist who treats diseases of the gums

Permanent teeth – The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also called adult teeth

Plaque – A sticky, colorless substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing

Posterior teeth – The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back teeth

Primary teeth – A person’s first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth

Prophylaxis – The act of cleaning the teeth

Prosthodontics – The field of dentistry that deals with artificial dental appliances to restore missing teeth and healthy function

Pulp – The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves and connective tissue

Q

R

Receding gum – A condition in which the gums separate from the tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooth’s enamel and surrounding bone

Resin filling – An artificial filling used to restore teeth; also called a composite filling

Root canal – A procedure in which a tooth’s nerve is removed and an inner canal cleansed and later filled

Root planning – Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy buildup of tartar below the gum line

S

Sealant – A synthetic material placed on the tooth’s surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces

T

TMJ – Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related to the jaw joint just in front of the ear. Audible clicking, facial and head pain are common symptoms

Tarter – A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks to the tooth’s surface

U

V

Veneer – A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth

W

Whitening – A process that employs special bleaching agents for restoring the color of teeth

Wisdom tooth – Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence

X

X-Rays – To see inside the bone and teeth

Y

Yay! – You're almost done

Z

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