occlusion:
closure; relationship of the upper and lower teeth upon closure

onlay:
laboratory produced restoration covering one or more cusps of a tooth

oral and maxillofacial surgeon:
a dental specialist who manages the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures; Requires four additional years of training after dental school

oral cavity:
the mouth

oral hygiene:
process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and related structures

oral and maxillofacial surgery:
surgical procedures on the mouth including extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and repair of fractured jaws

oral pathologist:
dentist specializing in the study of oral diseases

orthodontics:
dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth

osseous:
boney

overbite:
vertical overlap of the front teeth

overdenture:
denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants

overjet:
horozontal overlap of the front teeth

palate:
hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth

palliative treatment:
non invasive relief of irritating conditions

parasthesia:
a partial loss of sensation; may be temporary or permanent

partial denture:
removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing one or more natural teeth

pathology:
study of disease

periapical (PA):
region at the end of the roots of teeth

periodontal surgery:
recontouring or esthetic management of diseased gum and supporting tissue

periodontist:
dental specialist treating the gums and supporting soft and hard tissues retaining natural teeth and the surgical placement of dental implants

pedodontics or pediatric dentistry:
dental specialty focusing on treatment of children

periodontal chart:
record measuring the depth of gum pockets around the teeth

permanent teeth:
(usually) thirty-two adult teeth in a complete dentition

pit:
a small defect in the tooth enamel; junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth

placebo:
inert medication or treatment that produces psychological benefit

plaque:
soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene

pontic:
replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance

porcelain crown:
all porcelain restoration covering the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line)

porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown:
restoration with metal coping (for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance)

porcelain inlay or onlay:
tooth-colored restoration made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place

porcelain veneers:
a thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory) bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighten teeth or change color and/or shape

post:
thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a "coping" that replaces lost tooth structure and retains crown

post-core:
post and buildup to replace lost tooth structure and retain crown

post-crown:
single structure that combines post-core and crown

PPO or PDO:
preferred provider (dental) organization which a health care (dental) provider may join, offering fee for service treatment at reduced fees

prognosis:
the anticipated outcome of treatment

prophylaxis:
cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay

prosthesis:
an artificial appliance for the replacement for a body part

prosthodontist:
dental specialist skilled in restoring or replacing teeth with fixed or removable prosthesis (appliance), maintaining proper occlusion; treats facial deformities with artificial prostheses such as eyes, ears, and noses

pulp:
the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth

pulp cap:
a medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue

pulp chamber:
the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp

pulpectomy:
complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)

pulpitis:
inflammation of the pulp; common cause of Toothache

pulpotomy:
partial removal of the pulp tissue

pyorrhea:
older term for periodontal (gum) disease

reimplantation:
insertion and temporary fixation of partially or completely avulsed tooth or teeth, resulting from traumatic injury

reline:
acrylic restoration of denture base to compensate for bone loss; direct: done at chairside; indirect: in conjunction with a dental laboratory

restoration:
replacement of portion of a damaged tooth

retained root:
partial root structure remaining in jaw after extraction or fracture of a
natural tooth

root:
tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw

root canal:
common term for root canal therapy, also the interior space of the tooth
root

root canal therapy:
process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert material

root resection:
removal of a portion of diseased root structure, retaining the remaining natural tooth

rubber dam:
soft latex sheet used to establish isolation of one or more teeth from contamination by oral fluids and to keep materials from falling to the back of the throat

saliva:
clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles

saliva ejector:
suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva

salivary glands:
located under tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva

scaling and root planing:
meticulous removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces

sealants:
thin resin material bonded in the pits and fissures of back teeth for the prevention of decay

secondary dentin:
reparative tooth structure produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation

sequstrum:
loosened spicule of bone pushed to the surface

sinusitis:
infammation of the sinus that may mimc dental pain

sleep apnea:
the periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep

space maintainer:
dental device that holds the space lost through premature loss of baby teeth

splint:
connection of two or more teeth so they function as a stronger single structure

supernumerary tooth:
extra tooth

suppuration:
bacterial contamination of tissue exudate; pus

tartar:
common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth; produces rough surface that attracts plaque

tmd (or tmj disorder):
temperomandibular disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw

tmj:
the temporomandibular joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the skull

third-party provider:
insurance company, union, government agency that pays all or a part of cost of dental treatment

tooth bud:
early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth

tooth whitening:
a chemical or laser process to lighten the color of teeth

topical anesthetic:
ointment that produces mild anesthesia when applied to tissue surface

torus:
common bony protuberance on the palate or lower jaw

transplant:
placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth

trauma:
injury caused by external force, chemical, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment

trench mouth:
gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See ANUG.

UCR:
usual, customary and reasonable fees

unerupted tooth:
a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the dental arch

veneer:
plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.

vertical dimension:
arbitrary space between upper and lower jaws upon closure; may decrease over time due to wear, shifting or damage to the teeth

wisdom teeth:
third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25 (when "wisdom is attained")

xerostomia:
dry mouth or decrease in the production of saliva

?2000 Dentistry.com