- Amalgam
A silver filling. Used for more than a century, amalgam fillings are proven to be safe, cost-effective and durable. back to top
- Attrition
The normal wearing down of the surface of a tooth from chewing. back to top
- Bicuspids/premolars
The teeth with two rounded points located between the eye teeth (cuspids) and the molars. back to top
- Bleaching
A technique that lightens the color of heavily stained teeth. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Bridges
Nonremovable tooth replacements attached to adjoining natural teeth when one or a few teeth are missing. back to top
- Bruxism
Involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. back to top
- Caries
Tooth decay, which leads to a cavity. back to top
- Cast restoration
A procedure that uses a model of the tooth (an impression) to make a casting which replaces missing parts. Example: a crown. back to top
- Centrals/laterals
The four front teeth. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Cusp
The pointed or rounded part of a tooth's biting surface. back to top
- Cuspids
The teeth near the front of the mouth that come to a single point. Sometimes called the "eye teeth" or "canines." back to top
- 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. back to top
- Endodontics
Treatment of the root and nerve of the tooth. back to top
- Facing
A plastic or porcelain surface placed on the front of a tooth or crown for a natural appearance. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Implant
A support for a bridge or denture that has been surgically placed into bone. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Laminate veneer
A thin plastic or porcelain shell applied to the front of a tooth to restore, strengthen or improve its appearance. back to top
- Malocclusion
Incorrect position of biting or chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. back to top
- Molars
Teeth with a broad chewing surface for grinding food, located in the back of the mouth. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Orthodontics
Straightening or moving misaligned teeth and/or jaws with braces and/or surgery. back to top
- Overdenture
A prosthetic device supported by implants or the roots of at least two natural teeth to provide better stability for the denture. back to top
- Pedodontics
The dental specialty devoted to the treatment of children. back to top
- Pedodontist/pediatric dentist
A specialist who treats children from birth through adolescence.
Sealant: A thin plastic material used back to top
- Periapical
The area surrounding the end of a tooth root. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Pontic
The portion of a dental bridge that replaces missing teeth. back to top
- 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. back to top
- Prophylaxis
A professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus (mineralized plaque) and stains to help prevent dental disease. back to top
- Prosthodontics
Replacement of missing teeth with artificial materials, such as a bridge or denture. back to top
- Pulp
The blood vessels and nerve tissue inside a tooth. back to top
- Resin/composite
Tooth-colored filling material used primarily for front teeth. Although cosmetically superior, it is generally less durable than other materials. back to top
- Restorations
Replacement of missing or damaged tooth structure with artificial materials. back to top
- Retainer
A device used to stabilize teeth following orthodontic treatment. back to top
- Root canal treatment
The removal of the pulp tissue of a tooth due to decay or injury. back to top
- Sealant
A thin plastic material used to cover the biting surface of a child's tooth to prevent tooth decay. back to top
|
Below is a glossary listing of common dental health terms. Select the link of the word you want defined. 