abrasion:
loss of tooth structure caused by a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, or Bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth).
abscess:
an infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone

abutment:
tooth or teeth that support a fixed or removable bridge

adhesive dentistry:
contemporary term for dental restorations that involve "bonding" of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth

air abrasion:
removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the need for anesthetic

allergy:
unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug

alveolar bone:
the jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth

amalgam:
a most common filling material, also known as "silver fillings,"containing mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings

analgesia:
a state of pain relief; an agent lessening pain

anesthesia:
partial or complete elimination of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is an example of local anesthesia; general anesthesia produces partial or complete unconsciousness

anterior teeth:
the six upper or six lower front teeth

antibiotic:
a drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria

ANUG:
an acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, aggravated by stress and/or smoking

apex:
the tip of the root of a tooth

apicoectomy:
surgical removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth

arch :
describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth

attrition:
loss of structure due to natural wear

base:
cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve chamber)

bicuspid or pre-molar:
transitional teeth behind the cuspids

bifurcation (trifurcation):
juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth

biopsy:
removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination

bite:
relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion)

bite wings:
caries (decay) detection x-rays

black hairy tongue:
elongated papillae on the tongue, promoting the growth of microorganisms

bleaching:
chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect

block injection:
anesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw; a mandibular block injection produce numbness of the lower jaw, teeth, half the tongue

bonding:
adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth

bone resorption:
decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum disease)

braces:
devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment

bridge:
stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space; replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space

bruxism:
grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep

bruxomania:
persistent "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake

calcium:
chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves

calculus:
hard residue, commonly known as "tarter," that forms on teeth due to inadequate
plaque control, often stained yellow or brown

canker sore:
mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo, of ten to fourteen day duration

cantilever bridge:
fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end

cap:
common term for dental crown

caries:
tooth decay or "cavities"

cast or model:
reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold

Cavitron:
dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth

cellulitis:
soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling, a potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate attention

cementum:
hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth

chart:
log of dental or medical records

clasp:
device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth

cleaning:
removal of plaque and calculus (tarter) from teeth, generally above the gum line

composite resin:
material composed of plastic with small glass or ceramic particles; usually cured with filtered light or chemical catalyst

cosmetic (aesthetic) dentistry:
treatments performed to enhance appearance; not a recognized specialty

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation):
Artificial procedures employed by a rescuer after cessation of breathing or heart stoppage

Cross bite:
reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth; aka "under bite," as in Class III malocclusuion (prognathic jaw)

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 periodintal pocket

cusp:
mound on posterior teeth

cuspid or canine:
the four "eye teeth"

cyst:
a soft or hard tissue sac, hard or filled with fluid

DDS:
Doctor of Dental Surgery - equivalent to DMD

DMD:
Doctor of Medical Dentistry - equivalent to DDS

decay:
destruction of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by bacteria

deciduous teeth:
commonly called "baby teeth," the first set of (usually) twenty teeth

dentin:
inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel

dental implant:
a (usually) titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance

dentition:
the arrangement of natural or artificial teeth in the mouth

denture:
removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth

denturism:
the production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians

diastema:
space between teeth