Encyclopedia
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.
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).
Bite
Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion).
Bite Wings
Caries (decay) detection x-rays.
Bleaching
Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect.
A procedure for brightening or whitening stained, dull, or discolored teeth. This can be in-office or dentist-supervised at-home.
Bonding
Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth. A procedure to adhere tooth-colored resin to the tooth's surface, creating a bond.
The composite resin bonding process is where a resin (similar to an enamel) is bonded to a tooth's surface, but then sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished.
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
A fixed or removable dental appliance used to replace missing teeth. 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.
Cantilever Bridge
Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end.
Cap
Common term for dental crown.
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.
Clasp
Device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth.
Cosmetic (aesthetic) Dentistry
Treatments performed to enhance appearance; not a recognized specialty.
Cosmetic Contouring
A Cosmetic Dentist will sculpt and reshape the natural teeth to make them straighter.
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.
Crowns are caps, covers, or restorations to replace the missing portion of a tooth. Sometimes used to correct bite problems or to replace missing teeth.
Denture
Removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth.
Denturism
The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians.
Diastema
The name for a space between two teeth.
Enamel
Durable, hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin, the layer just beneath it. The hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line.
Exodontia
Practice of dental extractions.
Explorer
Sharp instrument used to detect decay on the surface of teeth.
Extraction
Removal of a tooth.
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