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 or the support fixed to an implant which carries the crown

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

Alveolar bone
The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth

Alveolar process
The curving part of the jaw into which the teeth are rooted.

Alveolus
The socket in the alveolar bone into which the tooth’s root fits.

Amalgam
A most common filling material, also known as "silver fillings,"containing mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings

Analgesia
A state of pain relief; an agent lessening pain

Anaesthesia
Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is an example of local anaesthesia; general anaesthesia produces partial or complete unconsciousness

General Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including loss of ability to independently maintain airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method or combination thereof;

Intravenous Sedation/Analgesia: A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes intravenous administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) and appropriate monitoring.

Local Anesthesia: The loss of pain sensation over a specific area of the anatomy without loss of consciousness.

Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation: A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) by a route other than IV; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate monitoring.

Regional Anesthesia: A term used for local anesthesia. See Local Anesthesia.

 

Analgesia
Loss of pain sensations without loss of consciousness.

Analgesic
I type of drug used to reduce pain

Ankylosis
A condition where two hard tissues are fused together. When this happens to a tooth and the alveolar bone, the tooth partially erupts.

Anterior teeth
The six upper or six lower front teeth

ANUG
An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, aggravated by stress and/or smoking

Apex
The tip of the root of a tooth

Apicectomy
Surgical removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth

Arch
Describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth

Attrition
Loss of structure due to natural wear

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Base
cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve chamber)

Benign
The mild character of an illness or the non-malignant character of a neoplasm.

Bicuspid or pre-molar
Transitional teeth behind the cuspids

Bifurcation (trifurcation)
Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth

Biopsy
Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination

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

Block injection
Anaesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw; a mandibular block injection produce numbness of the lower jaw, teeth, half the tongue

Bonding
Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth

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
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

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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

Canal
A relatively narrow tubular passage or channel.

Root Canal: Space inside the root portion of a tooth containing pulp tissue.

Canker sore
Mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo, of ten to fourteen day duration

Cantilever bridge
Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end

Cap
Common term for dental crown

Caries
Tooth decay or "cavities"

Cariogenic
Promotes tooth decay.

Cast
Reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold

Cavity
Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.

Cavitron
Dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth

Cellulitis
Soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling, a potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate attention

Cementum
Hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth

Clasp
Device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth

Cleaning
Removal of plaque and calculus (tarter) from teeth, generally above the gum line

Cleft Lip
Birth defect in which one or more fissures form in the upper lip, which takes place while the fetus is growing.

Cleft Palate
Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft and/or hard palate, either partial or complete.

Clenching
The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.

Composite resin
Material composed of plastic with small glass or ceramic particles; usually cured with filtered light or chemical catalyst

Conscious Sedation
A state in which patients are awake and can breathe and swallow on their own but are less aware of what is taking place.

Cosmetic (aesthetic) dentistry
Treatments performed to enhance appearance

Cross bite
Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth; aka "under bite," as in Class III malocclusuion (prognathic jaw)

Crown

Anatomical Crown: That portion of tooth normally covered by, and including, enamel;

Abutment Crown: Artificial crown serving for the retention or support of a dental prosthesis;

Artificial Crown: Restoration covering or replacing the major part, or the
whole of the clinical crown of a tooth;

Clinical Crown: That portion of a tooth not covered by supporting tissues.

Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure exposing more tooth for restorative purposes by apically positioning the gingival margin and/or removing supporting bone.

Curettage
Removal of diseased tissue from a periodintal pocket

Cusp
The pointed portion of the tooth

Cuspid or Canine
The four "eye teeth"

Cyst
A soft or hard tissue sac, hard or filled with fluid

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DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery

Debridement
Removing foreign matter or dead tissue.

Decay
The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by bacteria

Deciduous teeth
Commonly called "baby teeth," the first set of (usually) twenty teeth

Dental implant
A (usually) titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance

Dental Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.

Dental Prosthesis
An artificial device that replaces one or more missing teeth.

Dentin
That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum.

Dentition
The teeth in the dental arch.

• Permanent Dentition
  Refers to the permanent teeth in the dental arch.
• Deciduous Dentition
  Refers to the deciduous or primary teeth in the dental arch.

Denture
An artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent tissues.

Denture Base
The part of the denture that holds the artificial teeth and fits over the gums.


Denturism
The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians

Diastema
Space between teeth

Direct Restoration
A restoration fabricated inside the mouth.

Dry Mouth
See Xerostomia

Dry Socket
Localized inflammation of the tooth socket following extraction due to infection or loss of blood clot; osteitis.

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Edentulous
Toothless

Enamel
Hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line

Endodontist
Specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve chamber)

Epidemiology
Study of the incidence of disease in a population

Eruption
Process of teeth protruding through the gums

Evaluation

Periodic Oral Evaluation: An evaluation performed on a patient of record to determine any changes in the patient’s dental and medical health status since a previous comprehensive or periodic evaluation. This may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. Report additional diagnostic procedures separately.

Limited Oral Evaluation: Problem focused: an evaluation limited to a specific oral health problem. This may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. Definitive procedures may be required on the same date as the evaluation. Typically, patients receiving this type of evaluation have been referred for a specific problem and/or present with dental emergencies, trauma, acute infection, etc.

Comprehensive Oral Evaluation: Typically used by a general dentist and/or a specialist when evaluating a patient comprehensively. It is a thorough evaluation and recording of the extraoral and intraoral hard and soft tissues. It may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. This would include the evaluation and recording of the patient’s dental and medical history and a general health assessment. It may typically include the evaluation and recording of dental caries, missing or unerupted teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships, periodontal conditions (including periodontal charting), hard and soft tissue anomalies, etc.

Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation: Typically includes evaluation of
periodontal conditions, probing and charting, evaluation and recording of the
patient’s dental and medical history and general health assessment. It may
include the evaluation and recording of dental caries, missing or unerupted
teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships and oral cancer screening.

Detailed And Extensive Oral Evaluation—Problem-Focused, By Report:
A detailed and extensive problem-focused evaluation entails extensive diagnostic and cognitive modalities based on the findings of a comprehensive oral evaluation. Integration of more extensive diagnostic modalities to develop a treatment plan for a specific problem is required. The condition requiring this type of evaluation should be described and documented. Examples of conditions requiring this type of evaluation may include dentofacial anomalies, complicated perio-prosthetic conditions, complex temporomandibular dysfunction, facial pain of unknown origin, severe systemic diseases requiring multi-disciplinary consultation, etc.

Re-Evaluation—Limited, Problem Focused (established patient; not post-operative visit): This includes assessing the status of a previously existing condition. Examples of conditions requiring this type of evaluation may include: A traumatic injury where no treatment was rendered but the patient needs follow-up monitoring; Evaluation for undiagnosed continuing pain: A soft tissue lesion requiring follow-up evaluation.

Excision
Surgical removal of bone or tissue.

Exfoliate
process of shedding deciduous (baby) teeth

Exodontia
Practice of dental extractions

Explorer
Sharp instrument used to detect decay on the surface of teeth

Extraction
The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts.

Eyeteeth
The four upper and lower canine (cuspid) teeth

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Facing
Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown; may be acrylic, composite or porcelain

Filling
Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials

Fistula
Channel emanating pus from an infection site; a gum boil

Fixed Appliances
Orthodontic devices, commonly known as braces, that are bonded to the teeth to produce different tooth movements to help reposition teeth for orthodontic therapy.

Fixed Partial Denture
A fixed partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or implant abutments adjacent to the space.

Fracture
The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.

Flap surgery
Lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures

Freeway space
Distance between the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position

Forceps
Instrument used for removal of teeth

Forensic dentistry
Practice of gathering legal evidence for body identification or judicial issues

Fossa
Valley found on the sutrpface of posterior teeth

Full denture
Removable dental prosthesis (appliance) replacing all upper or lower teeth

Full mouth reconstruction
Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns and or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.

Frenectomy
Removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth

Full-Mouth X-Rays
A combination of 14 or more periapical and 4 bitewing films of the back teeth. This series of
x-rays reveals all the teeth (their crowns and roots) and the alveolar bone around them.

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General anesthesia
Controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command

Geographic tongue
benign changes in the usual color and texture of tongue; does not require treatment

Gingiva
Gum tissue

Gingival Hyperplasia
An overgrowth of gingival tissues.

Gingivectomy
surgical removal of gum tissue

Gingivitis
inflammation of gum tissue

Gingivoplasty
Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.

Graft
A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR)
Procedure during flap surgery for periodontal disease in which a membrane is inserted between the alveolar bone and the bone graft to encourage the gum tissues to grow onto the alveolar bone.

Gum boil
See fistula.

Gum recession
exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion,
periodontal disease or surgery

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Halitosis
Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin

Hematoma
Swelling of effused blood beneath tissue surface

Hydrogen peroxide
Disinfecting solution used in dental irrigation procedures or as mouth rinse

Hygienist
Dental auxiliary who cleans teeth and provides patient education; administers local anesthetic, nitrous oxide and performs periodontal scaling

Hyperemia
Increased blood flow; may cause dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets;
may precede an abscess

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Immediate Denture
Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal of remaining natural teeth.

Impaction
partial or completely unexposed tooth that is wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, precluding the eruption process
Implant
Material inserted or grafted into tissue.

• Dental Implant
  A device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing for dental replacement; endosteal (endosseous); eposteal (subperiosteal); transosteal (transosseous).

Implantation, Tooth
Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into an alveolus.

Incision and drainage
surgical incision of an abscess to drain suppuration (pus)

Incisors
Four upper and four lower front teeth, excluding the cuspids (canine teeth)

Infiltration
Local anesthetic procedure effective for upper teeth and soft tissue; placement of anesthetic under the gum, allowing it to seep into bone

Inlay
Indirect - filling made by a dental laboratory that is cemented or bonded into place, direct - placement of dental composite resin restoration at chairside

Interproximal
Surfaces of adjoining teeth

Interocclusal
Space between upper and lower teeth

Intraoral camera
A smal video camera used to view and magnify oral conditions;
images may be printed

Intravenous Sedation
Medications used intravenously (through the bloodstream) to produce varying levels of sedation.

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Jacket
Crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain

Jaw
A common name for either the maxilla or the mandible.

No terms listed

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Labial
Pertaining to or around the lip.

Laminate
Thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth

Laughing gas
Nitrous oxide; odorless inhalation agent that produces relative analgesic (sedation); reduces anxiety and creates a state of relaxation

Lesion
Injury of bodily tissue due to infection, trauma or neoplasm

Lingual
Pertaining to or around the tongue; surface of the tooth directed toward the tongue; opposite of facial.

Local anesthesia
Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation, in the immediate vicinity
of its application or injection

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Malignant
Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis.

Malocclusion
"Bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth

Mandible
The lower jaw

Margin
Interface between a restoration and tooth structure


Maryland bridge
Bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth; requires minimum tooth reduction

Mastication
Process of chewing food

Maxilla
The upper jaw

Meniscus
capsular cushion between temporomandibluar joint and glenoid fossa

Milk teeth
Deciduous (baby) teeth

Mouthguard
Device that fits over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth, mouth or lips. May also refer to a device that prevents tooth grinding or treats temporomandibular disorders.

Molars
Three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.

Moniliasis (thrush)
opportunistic fungal infection after administration of antibiotic; not uncommon in the mouth

Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities of the body; also called “mucosa".

Mucogingival Junction (MGJ)
Meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the friable mucous lining of the cheeks and lips

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NSAID
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, often used as a dental analgesic

Nerve
Tissue that conveys sensation, temperature, position information to the brain

Nerve (root) canal
Dental pulp; the internal chamber of a tooth

Night guard
Acrylic appliance used to prevent wear and temporomandibular damage caused by grinding or gnashing of the teeth during sleep

Nitrous oxide
Gas used to reduce patient anxiety

Novocain
Older brand name for a local anesthetic, currently replaced by safer, more effective agents

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A disorder in which breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep.

Occlusal
Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth or contacting surfaces of opposing teeth or opposing occlusion rims.

Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.

Onlay
An indirect restoration made outside the oral cavity that overlays a cusp or cusps of the tooth, which is then luted to the tooth.

Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.

Oral hygiene
Process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and related structures

Oral and maxillofacial surgery:
Surgical procedures on the mouth including extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and repair of fractured jaws

Oral Mucosa
The pink-red tissues that line the mouth.oral cavity:
the mouth

Oral pathologist
Dentist specializing in the study of oral diseases

Orthodontics
Dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth

Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct facial imbalances caused by abnormalities of the jaw bones.

Osseous
Boney

Osseointegration
The process by which bone heals around an implant.

Osteoplasty
Surgical procedure that modifies the configuration of bone.

Osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone.

Overbite
Vertical overlap of the front teeth

Overdenture
Denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants

Overjet
Horozontal overlap of the front teeth

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Palate:
Hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth

Palliative treatment
Non invasive relief of irritating conditions

Parasthesia
Partial loss of sensation; may be temporary or permanent

Partial Denture
Usually refers to a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth; see Fixed Partial Denture or Removable Partial Denture.

Parotid Glands
Major salivary glands located in front of and below the ears.

Pediatric Dentist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to treatment of children from birth through adolescence; formerly known as a pedodontist.

Pedodontist
See Pediatric Dentist.

Pellicle
A thin nonbacterial film from saliva that covers the teeth.

Periapical X-Ray
An x-ray that shows several entire teeth (crowns and roots) and includes a small amount of the periapical bone (surrounding the root tips).

Periodontal
Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Periodontal Abscess
An infection in the gum pocket that can destroy hard and soft tissues.

Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues and/or periodontal membrane of the teeth, resulting in an abnormally deep gingival sulcus, possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss of supporting alveolar bone.

Periodontal Pocket
Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a feature of periodontal disease.

Periodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Periodontitis
Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue of the supporting or surrounding structure of teeth with loss of attachment.

Permanent teeth
(usually) thirty-two adult teeth in a complete dentition

Pit
Small defect in the tooth enamel; junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth

Plaque
Soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene

Pontic
replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance

Porcelain crown
All porcelain restoration covering the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line)

Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crown
Restoration with metal coping (for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance)

Porcelain inlay or onlay
Tooth-colored restoration made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place

Porcelain veneers
Thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory) bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighten teeth or change color and/or shape

Post
Thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a "coping" that replaces lost tooth structure and retains crown

Post-core
Post and buildup to replace lost tooth structure and retain crown

Post-crown
Single structure that combines post-core and crown

Posterior
Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth (distal to the canines): maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars.

Prognosis
The anticipated outcome of treatment

Prophylaxis
Cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay

Prosthesis
An artificial appliance for the replacement for a body part

Prosthodontist
Dental specialist skilled in restoring or replacing teeth with fixed or removable prosthesis (appliance), maintaining proper occlusion; treats facial deformities with artificial prostheses such as eyes, ears, and noses

Pulp
The nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth

Pulp cap
Medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue

Pulp chamber
The center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp

Pulpectomy
Complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)

Pulpitis
Inflammation of the pulp; common cause of toothache

Pulpotomy
Partial removal of the pulp tissue

Pyorrhea
Older term for periodontal (gum) disease

No items listed

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Radiograph
An image produced by projecting radiation, as x-rays, on photographic film. Commonly called x-ray.

Ranula
A cyst that can develop under the tongue on the floor of the mouth.

Rebase
To replace the denture base.

Reimplantation
Insertion and temporary fixation of partially or completely avulsed tooth or teeth, resulting from traumatic injury

Reline
Acrylic restoration of denture base to compensate for bone loss; direct: done at chairside; indirect: in conjunction with a dental laboratory

Resorb
To dissolve.

Restoration
Replacement of portion of a damaged tooth

Retainer

• Orthodontic Retainer: Appliance to stabilize teeth following orthodontic
  treatment.
• Prosthodontic Retainer: A part of a fixed partial denture that attaches a
  pontic to the abutment tooth, implant abutment, or implant.

Retained root
Partial root structure remaining in jaw after extraction or fracture of a
natural tooth

Root
Tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw

Root canal
Common term for root canal therapy, also the interior space of the tooth
root

Root canal therapy
Process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert material

Root resection
Removal of a portion of diseased root structure, retaining the remaining natural tooth

Root Planing
A procedure designed to remove microbial flora, bacterial toxins, calculus, and diseased cementum or dentin on the root surfaces and in the pocket.

Rubber dam
Soft latex sheet used to establish isolation of one or more teeth from contamination by oral fluids and to keep materials from falling to the back of the throat

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Saliva
Clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles

Saliva ejector
Suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva

Salivary glands
Located under tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva

Scaling and root planing
Meticulous removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces

Sealants
Thin resin material bonded in the pits and fissures of back teeth for the prevention of decay

Secondary dentin
Reparative tooth structure produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation

Sequstrum
Loosened spicule of bone pushed to the surface

Sinusitis
Infammation of the sinus that may mimc dental pain

Sjogren’s Syndrome
An autoimmune disorder (mostly affecting older women) that is characterized by partial or complete cessation of saliva and tears. It can be associated with rheumatic disease, such as rheumatic arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.

Sleep apnea
Periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep

Space maintainer
Dental device that holds the space lost through premature loss of baby teeth

Splint
A device used to support, protect, or immobilize oral structures that have been loosened, replanted, fractured or traumatized. Also refers to devices used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Supernumerary tooth
Extra tooth

Sublingual Glands
Major salivary glands located in the mucosa on the floor of the mouth.

Stomatitis
Inflammation of the membranes in the mouth.

Submandibular Glands
Walnut-sized major salivary glands located beneath the tongue.

Suppuration
Bacterial contamination of tissue exudate; pus

Suture
Stitch used to repair incision or wound.

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Tartar
Common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth; produces rough surface that attracts plaque

Temporary Removable Denture
An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of time.

TMD (or tmj disorder):
Temperomandibular Disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw

TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the skull

Tooth bud
Early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth

Tooth whitening
Chemical or laser process to lighten the color of teeth

Topical anesthetic
Ointment that produces mild anesthesia when applied to tissue surface

Torus
Common bony protuberance on the palate or lower jaw

transplant
Placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth

Trauma
Injury caused by external force, chemical, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment

Trench mouth
Gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See ANUG.

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Unerupted tooth
A tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the dental arch

Veneer
Plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.

Vertical dimension
Arbitrary space between upper and lower jaws upon closure; may decrease over time due to wear, shifting or damage to the teeth

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Wisdom teeth
Third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25 (when "wisdom is attained")

Xerostomia
Dry mouth or decrease in the production of saliva

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Y No terms listed

Z No terms listed

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