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Amalgam - Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used
to restore a drilled portion of a tooth.
Anesthesia - Medications used to relieve pain.
Anterior teeth - Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids.
Arch - The upper or lower jaw.
Baby bottle tooth decay - Caused by sugary substances in breast
milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby's
mouth.
Bicuspids -Back teeth used for chewing.
Bitewings - X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities.
Bonding - Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface
of the teeth.
Bridge - A fixed or removable appliance that replaces lost teeth.
Bruxism - Teeth grinding.
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Calculus - A sticky substance (also called tartar) that has hardened.
Canal - The narrow chamber inside the tooth's root.
Canines - Also called cuspids.
Canker sore - One that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your
mouth. A canker sore is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red exterior
border.
Caries - Another term for decay, which causes cavities.
Cold sore - Usually occurs on the outside of the mouth, usually
on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the
herpes simplex virus, and it is usually painful and filled with fluid.
Composite filling - Tooth colored restorations, also known as resin
fillings.
Composite resin - A tooth-colored resin combined with silica or
porcelain and used as a restoration material.
Contouring - The process of reshaping teeth.
Crown - An artificial cover that is placed on the top of a tooth
following restoration.
Cusps - The pointed parts on top of the back teeth's chewing surface.
Cuspids - Front teeth that typically have a protruding edge.
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Dentin - The tooth layer underneath the enamel.
Denture - A removable set of teeth.
Endodontics - A form of dentistry that addresses problems affecting
the tooth's root or nerve.
Fluoride - A naturally occurring substance added to water, toothpastes
and some rinses and used for strengthening the tooth's enamel.
Fluorosis - A harmless over-exposure to fluoride and resulting
sometimes in tooth discoloration.
Gingiva - Another word for gum tissue.
Gingivitis - A minor disease of the gums caused by plaque.
Gum disease - An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal
disease.
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Impacted teeth - A condition in which a tooth fails to erupt or
only partially erupts.
Implant - A permanent appliance used to replace a missing tooth.
Incisor - Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the center
or on the sides near the front.
Inlay - An artificial filling made of various materials, including
porcelain, resin, or gold.
Laminate veneer - A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front
tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.
Laser - Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
A single wavelength beam of highly concentrated energy.
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Malocclusion - Bad bite relationship.
Mandible - The lower jaw.
Maxilla - The upper jaw.
Molar - Usually the largest teeth, near the rear of the mouth.
Molars have large chewing surfaces.
Neuromuscular Dentistry - are more than the aches and pains felt
in around the neck and head that are associated with your teeth and jaw.
Onlay - A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a
tooth.
Orthodontics - A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw
alignment.
Overdenture - A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number
of natural teeth or implants.
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Palate - Roof of the mouth.
Partial denture - A removable appliance that replaces teeth. Also
called a bridge.
Pedodontics - A field of dentistry that deals with children's teeth.
Perio pocket - An opening formed by receding gums.
Periodontal disease - Infection of the gum tissues. Also called
gum disease.
Periodontist - A dentist who treats diseases of the gums.
Permanent teeth - The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also
called adult teeth.
Plaque - A sticky, colorless substance that covers the teeth after
sleep or periods between brushing.
Posterior teeth - The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back
teeth.
Primary teeth - A person's first set of teeth. Also called baby
teeth or temporary teeth.
Prophylaxis - The act of cleaning the teeth.
Prosthodontics - The field of dentistry that deals with artificial
dental appliances.
Pulp - The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves
and connective tissue.
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Receding gum - A condition in which the gums separate from the
tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooth's enamel and surrounding
bone.
Resin filling - An artificial filling used to restore teeth. Also
called a composite filling.
Root canal - A procedure in which a tooth's nerve is removed and
an inner canal cleansed and later filled.
Root planing - Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy buildup
of tartar below the gum line.
Sealant - A synthetic material placed on the tooth's surface that
protects the enamel and chewing surfaces.
TMJ - Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related
to the jaw joint just in front of the ear.
Tarter - A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks
to the tooth's surface.
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Veneer - A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth.
Whitening - A process that employs special bleaching agents for
restoring the color of teeth.
Wisdom tooth - Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence.
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