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Abutment: A tooth, a root, or an implant used for the retention of a fixed or removable prosthesis. Also known as a retainer.
Bicuspids/premolars: The teeth with two rounded points located between the eye teeth (cuspids) and the molars.
Centrals/laterals: The four front teeth.
Cusp: The pointed or rounded part of a tooth's biting surface.
Cuspids: The teeth near the front of the mouth that come to a single point. Sometimes called the "eye teeth" or "canines."
Molars: Teeth with a broad chewing surface for grinding food, located in the back of the mouth.
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Treatment of the root and nerve of the tooth.
Periapical: The area surrounding the end of a tooth root.
Post and core: An anchor placed in the tooth root following a root canal to strengthen the tooth and help hold a crown (cap) in place.
Pulp: The blood vessels and nerve tissue inside a tooth.
Root canal treatment: The removal of the pulp tissue of a tooth due to decay or injury.
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Straightening or moving misaligned teeth and/or jaws with braces and/or surgery.
Malocclusion: Incorrect position of biting or chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.
Retainer: A device used to stabilize teeth following orthodontic treatment.
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The dental specialty devoted to the treatment of children.
Nursing bottle syndrome: Severe decay in baby teeth due to sleeping with a bottle of milk or juice. The drink's natural sugars combine with bacteria in the mouth to produce acid that decays teeth.
Pedodontist/pediatric dentist: A specialist who treats children from birth through adolescence.
Sealant: A thin plastic material used to cover the biting surface of a child's tooth to prevent tooth decay.
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Treatment of gums, tissue and bone that supports the
teeth.
Gingivitis: An inflammation of the
gums surrounding the teeth caused by a buildup of plaque
or food particles.
Periodontitis/gum disease: Chronic
inflammation and destruction of supporting bone and
tissue membrane around the roots of teeth.
Root planing:
A treatment of periodontal disease that involves scraping
the roots of a tooth to remove bacteria and tartar.
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Replacement of missing teeth with artificial materials,
such as a bridge or denture.
Bridges: Nonremovable tooth replacements
attached to adjoining natural teeth when one or a few
teeth are missing.
Dentures: Removable artificial teeth
in a plastic base that rests directly on the gums. A
denture may be complete or partial depending on the
number of missing natural teeth.
Implant: A support for a bridge or
denture that has been surgically placed into bone.
Overdenture: A prosthetic device
supported by implants or the roots of at least two natural
teeth to provide better stability for the denture.
Pontic: The portion of a dental bridge
that replaces missing teeth.
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Replacement of missing or damaged tooth structure with
artificial materials.
Amalgam: A silver filling. Used for
more than a century, amalgam fillings are proven to
be safe, cost-effective and durable.
Cast restoration: A procedure that
uses a model of the tooth (an impression) to make a
casting which replaces missing parts. Example: a crown.
Crown/jacket/cap: The artificial
covering of a tooth with metal, porcelain or porcelain
fused to metal. Crowns cover teeth weakened by decay
or severely damaged or chipped.
Inlay: A solid filling cast to fit
the missing portion of the tooth and cemented into place.
An onlay covers one or more tooth cusps.
Resin/composite: Tooth-colored filling
material used primarily for front teeth. Although cosmetically
superior, it is generally less durable than other materials.
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Attrition:
The normal wearing down of the surface of a tooth from
chewing.
Bleaching: A technique that lightens
the color of heavily stained teeth.
Bonding: A technique to bind a filling
or filling material to a tooth. Bonding materials may
be used to repair chipped, cracked, misshapen or discolored
teeth or to fill in a gap between teeth.
Bruxism: Involuntary clenching or
grinding of the teeth.
Caries: Tooth decay, which leads
to a cavity.
Facing: A plastic or porcelain surface
placed on the front of a tooth or crown for a natural
appearance.
Impacted tooth: A tooth beneath the
gum tissue that lies against another tooth, under bone
or soft tissue, which is unlikely to grow out on its
own.
Laminate veneer: A thin plastic or
porcelain shell applied to the front of a tooth to restore,
strengthen or improve its appearance.
Plaque: A bacteria-containing substance
that collects on the surface of teeth. Plaque can cause
decay and gum irritation when it is not removed by daily
brushing and flossing.
Prophylaxis: A professional cleaning
to remove plaque, calculus (mineralized plaque) and
stains to help prevent dental disease.
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