impaction:
partial or completely unexposed tooth that is wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, precluding the eruption process

implant:
artificial device replacing tooth root; may anchor an artificial tooth, bridge,
or denture

impression:
mold made of the teeth and soft tissues

incision and drainage:
surgical incision of an abscess to drain suppuration (pus)

incisors:
four upper and four lower front teeth, excluding the cuspids (canine teeth)

infiltration:
local anesthetic procedure effective for upper teeth and soft tissue; placement of anesthetic under the gum, allowing it to seep into bone

inlay:
indirect - filling made by a dental laboratory that is cemented or bonded into place, direct - placement of dental composite resin restoration at chairside

interproximal:
surfaces of adjoining teeth

interocclusal:
space between upper and lower teeth

intraoral camera:
a smal video camera used to view and magnify oral conditions;
images may be printed

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

laminate:
thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth

laughing gas:
nitrous oxide; odorless inhalation agent that produces relative analgesic (sedation); reduces anxiety and creates a state of relaxation

lesion:
injury of bodily tissue due to infection, trauma or neoplasm

local anesthesia:
partial or complete elimination of pain sensation, in the immediate vicinity
of its application or injection

malocclusion:
"bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth

managed care:
program whereby patient-dentist assignment and dentist reimbursement is administered by a separate, external organization

mandible:
the lower jaw

margin:
interface between a restoration and tooth structure

MAGD:
Masters Academy of General Dentistry

Maryland bridge:
a bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth; requires minimum tooth reduction

mastication:
process of chewing food

maxilla:
the upper jaw

meniscus:
capsular cushion between temporomandibluar joint and glenoid fossa

milk teeth:
deciduous (baby) teeth

molars:
three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.

moniliasis (thrush):
opportunistic fungal infection after administration of antibiotic; not uncommon in the mouth

mucogingival junction (MGJ):
meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the friable mucous lining of the cheeks and lips

NSAID:
non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, often used as a dental analgesic

nerve:
tissue that conveys sensation, temperature, position information to the brain

nerve (root) canal:
dental pulp; the internal chamber of a tooth

night guard:
acrylic appliance used to prevent wear and temporomandibular damage caused by grinding or gnashing of the teeth during sleep

nitrous oxide:
a gas used to reduce patient anxiety

Novocain:
older brand name for a local anesthetic, currently replaced by safer, more effective agents