Abscess __ pus_filled,
inflamed area around a tooth
Amalgam __
silver_mercury alloy used to fill cavities
Bicuspid __
adult type of tooth located between the front teeth (incisors
and canines) and the back teeth (molars). These teeth are
used for crushing and mashing food, with two on the top and
two on the bottom of each side of the mouth.
Bonding __
process that first etches the tooth's enamel, and then uses
resin to attach tooth_colored fillings or veneers to a tooth
Bridge __ nonremovable
replacement for one or more missing teeth, anchored by teeth
on either side of the gap. Bridges restore chewing ability
and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting, which can result
in a poor bite and gum disease.
Bruxism __ habitual, unconscious clenching of the jaw and/or grinding
of the teeth. Approximately one in four adults grinds their teeth,
usually while asleep or under stress. This problem can cause headaches
and tooth damage.
Calculus __
hardened or calcified plaque that sticks to the teeth and
causes decay and gum disease. Also called tartar, it requires
scaling by a dentist or dental hygienist to remove.
Caries __ a
word that means "rottenness" in Latin, this is
the gradual decay and disintegration of a tooth. The decay
can affect the tooth's soft or bony tissues.
Cavity __ hole
or weak area in a tooth, caused by tooth decay (caries)
Composites __
tooth_colored materials used as fillings or bonding to restore
teeth. Most are made of resin, a plastic mixture filled with
ground_up "glass"
particles (silicon dioxide).
Crown ("cap")
__ part of the tooth that's visible above the gum, or the
artificial substitute for it. A restorative crown covers
the top part of a tooth that is severely damaged or weakened
by decay. A crown is made of metal, resin, porcelain, or
porcelain_covered metal, and cemented onto the tooth.
Cuspid __ pointy
tooth, also called a canine (for their resemblance to dogs'
fangs), located on either side of the incisors, the four
teeth in the very front of the mouth. Adults have four cuspids
that are used to tear food, two on the top and two on the
bottom.
Dentin __ middle
layer of the tooth, below the enamel and surrounding the
pulp
Dry socket __
painful condition following a tooth extraction caused by
a blood clot that does not properly fill the empty socket,
leaving the bone underneath exposed to air and food
Enamel __ hard,
white outer layer of a tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance
in the body.
Endontist __
dentist who specializes in endodontics, or the treatment
of the root and nerve system in teeth
Fluoride __
chemical compound added to toothpaste and drinking water
that helps strengthen and repair the surface of teeth and
prevent cavities
Gingivitis __
inflammation of the gums often caused by a buildup of food
particles and plaque (a sticky film containing bacteria)
on and around the teeth
Gum disease __
illnesses that inflame and, if untreated, can destroy the
gum tissues and bones that support and anchor teeth
Halitosis __
bad breath, which can be caused or worsened by a dry mouth,
poor dental hygiene, bacteria mixed with putrifying food
particles in the mouth, sinus problems, or other conditions.
Impacted tooth __
any tooth (but especially a wisdom tooth) that cannot break
through the gum into normal position because it is growing
against or blocked by bone, soft tissue, or another tooth
Incisor __
type of tooth located at the front of the mouth. Adults have
eight of these flat teeth (four on the top and four on the
bottom), and they are used primarily to bite and cut food.
Malocclusion __
condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not fit together
properly. An overbite is a common example of a malocclusion.
Molar __ type
of tooth located in the back of the mouth behind the bicuspids.
Adults have eight molars (12 if they still have their wisdom
teeth), which have a flat bumpy surface good for the toughest
chewing jobs.
Mucin __ protein
found in the saliva that mixes with sugars to form bacterial
plaque
Orthodontist __
dentist who specializes in orthodontics, or the correction
of misaligned teeth and jaws with braces, retainers, or other
dental appliances.
Pedodontist __
dentist who specializes in pedodontics, or dentistry for
children
Periodontist __
dentist who specializes in periodontics, or the treatment
of the gums, soft tissues, and bones that support the teeth
Periodontal Disease __
any gum disease (such as periodontitis or gingivitis) that,
if untreated, inflames and eventually destroys the bone and
tissues that support and anchor the teeth.
Plaque __ sticky,
colorless film containing bacteria that forms on teeth and
causes tooth decay and gum disease if it is not removed by
brushing and flossing.
Prosthodontist __
dentist who specializes in prosthodontics, or the restoration
and replacement of missing teeth with artificial materials
Pulp __ innermost
layer of the tooth, below the enamel and dentin, which contains
the nerves and blood vessels
Pulpitis __
inflammation of the pulp (the tooth's innermost layer) caused
by a cavity or other trauma, and often signalled by a painful
toothache
Radiograph __
x_ray
Root Canal (endodontic treatment)
__ procedure in which the diseased nerve (also called the
pulp or inside core) of a heavily decayed or damaged tooth
is removed and the central pulp space of the tooth is filled
and sealed with dental cement
Tartar (calculus)
__ hard deposit, or calcified bacterial plaque, which sticks
to the teeth and causes decay. See Calculus.
Wisdom teeth __
Back teeth, also called third molars, that usually come in
between the ages of 15 to 25. In ancient times, humans needed
these teeth to chew and grind raw food, but today many people
have them removed because they are hard to clean, which in
turn can lead to infection, or because there is no room in
the jaw for these teeth to grow in straight.