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Glossary
of dental health terms
Topics
Teeth
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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Endodontics
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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Orthodontics
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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Pedodontics
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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Periodontics
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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Prosthodontics
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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Restorations
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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Other
dental terms
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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