Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
-A-
Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease.
Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings.
Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures.
Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth.
Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs.
Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth.
Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth
-B-
Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth.
Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage.
Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth.
Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping.
-C-
Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth.
Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay.
Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth.
Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal.
Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as
canines.
-D-
Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth."
Dental Implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a
missing tooth or teeth.
Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.
-E-
Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line.
Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth).
Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth.
-F-
Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity.
Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay.
-G-
Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
-I-
Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction.
Implant - a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth, and also to replace missing teeth
Incisal - related to incisors (see below).
Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth.
Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth.
Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns.
-L-
Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals.
-N-
Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the
teeth. Often used to treat TMJ.
-P-
Pedontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth.
Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.
Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
-R-
Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line.
Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed.
-S-
Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent
decay. Used most commonly for children.
Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth.
Six-Year Molar - commonly known as "the first molar."
Sleep Apnea - a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night.
-T-
Tartar - see calculus.
TMJ Syndrome - a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw. Often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.
Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth.
Twelve-Year Molar - commonly known as "the second molar."
-V-
Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth.
Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease.
Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings.
Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures.
Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth.
Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs.
Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth.
Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth
-B-
Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth.
Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage.
Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth.
Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping.
-C-
Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth.
Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay.
Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth.
Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal.
Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as
canines.
-D-
Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth."
Dental Implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a
missing tooth or teeth.
Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.
-E-
Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line.
Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth).
Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth.
-F-
Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity.
Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay.
-G-
Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
-I-
Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction.
Implant - a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth, and also to replace missing teeth
Incisal - related to incisors (see below).
Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth.
Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth.
Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns.
-L-
Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals.
-N-
Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the
teeth. Often used to treat TMJ.
-P-
Pedontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth.
Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.
Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
-R-
Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line.
Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed.
-S-
Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent
decay. Used most commonly for children.
Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth.
Six-Year Molar - commonly known as "the first molar."
Sleep Apnea - a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night.
-T-
Tartar - see calculus.
TMJ Syndrome - a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw. Often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.
Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth.
Twelve-Year Molar - commonly known as "the second molar."
-V-
Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth.
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