Abscess __ pus_filled,
inflamed area around a tooth
Amalgam __ silver_mercury
alloy used to fill cavities
Bicuspid __ adult
type of tooth located between the front teeth (incisors and canines)
and the back teeth (molars). These teeth are used for crushing
and mashing food, with two on the top and two on the bottom of
each side of the mouth.
Bonding __ process
that first etches the tooth's enamel, and then uses resin to attach
tooth_colored fillings or veneers to a tooth
Bridge __ nonremovable
replacement for one or more missing teeth, anchored by teeth on
either side of the gap. Bridges restore chewing ability and prevent
neighboring teeth from shifting, which can result in a poor bite
and gum disease.
Bruxism __ habitual, unconscious clenching of the jaw and/or grinding
of the teeth. Approximately one in four adults grinds their teeth,
usually while asleep or under stress. This problem can cause headaches
and tooth damage.
Calculus __ hardened
or calcified plaque that sticks to the teeth and causes decay
and gum disease. Also called tartar, it requires scaling by a
dentist or dental hygienist to remove.
Caries __ a word
that means "rottenness" in Latin, this is the gradual
decay and disintegration of a tooth. The decay can affect the
tooth's soft or bony tissues.
Cavity __ hole or
weak area in a tooth, caused by tooth decay (caries)
Composites __ tooth_colored
materials used as fillings or bonding to restore teeth. Most are
made of resin, a plastic mixture filled with ground_up "glass"
particles (silicon dioxide).
Crown ("cap")
__ part of the tooth that's visible above the gum, or the artificial
substitute for it. A restorative crown covers the top part of
a tooth that is severely damaged or weakened by decay. A crown
is made of metal, resin, porcelain, or porcelain_covered metal,
and cemented onto the tooth.
Cuspid __ pointy
tooth, also called a canine (for their resemblance to dogs' fangs),
located on either side of the incisors, the four teeth in the
very front of the mouth. Adults have four cuspids that are used
to tear food, two on the top and two on the bottom.
Dentin __ middle
layer of the tooth, below the enamel and surrounding the pulp
Dry socket
__ painful condition following a tooth extraction caused by a
blood clot that does not properly fill the empty socket, leaving
the bone underneath exposed to air and food
Enamel __ hard,
white outer layer of a tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance
in the body.
Endontist __ dentist
who specializes in endodontics, or the treatment of the root and
nerve system in teeth
Fluoride __ chemical
compound added to toothpaste and drinking water that helps strengthen
and repair the surface of teeth and prevent cavities
Gingivitis __ inflammation
of the gums often caused by a buildup of food particles and plaque
(a sticky film containing bacteria) on and around the teeth
Gum disease
__ illnesses that inflame and, if untreated, can destroy the gum
tissues and bones that support and anchor teeth
Halitosis __ bad
breath, which can be caused or worsened by a dry mouth, poor dental
hygiene, bacteria mixed with putrifying food particles in the
mouth, sinus problems, or other conditions.
Impacted tooth
__ any tooth (but especially a wisdom tooth) that cannot break
through the gum into normal position because it is growing against
or blocked by bone, soft tissue, or another tooth
Incisor __ type
of tooth located at the front of the mouth. Adults have eight
of these flat teeth (four on the top and four on the bottom),
and they are used primarily to bite and cut food.
Malocclusion __
condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not fit together
properly. An overbite is a common example of a malocclusion.
Molar __ type of
tooth located in the back of the mouth behind the bicuspids. Adults
have eight molars (12 if they still have their wisdom teeth),
which have a flat bumpy surface good for the toughest chewing
jobs.
Mucin __ protein
found in the saliva that mixes with sugars to form bacterial plaque
Orthodontist __
dentist who specializes in orthodontics, or the correction of
misaligned teeth and jaws with braces, retainers, or other dental
appliances.
Pedodontist __ dentist
who specializes in pedodontics, or dentistry for children
Periodontist __
dentist who specializes in periodontics, or the treatment of the
gums, soft tissues, and bones that support the teeth
Periodontal Disease
__ any gum disease (such as periodontitis or gingivitis) that,
if untreated, inflames and eventually destroys the bone and tissues
that support and anchor the teeth.
Plaque __ sticky,
colorless film containing bacteria that forms on teeth and causes
tooth decay and gum disease if it is not removed by brushing and
flossing.
Prosthodontist __
dentist who specializes in prosthodontics, or the restoration
and replacement of missing teeth with artificial materials
Pulp __ innermost
layer of the tooth, below the enamel and dentin, which contains
the nerves and blood vessels
Pulpitis __ inflammation
of the pulp (the tooth's innermost layer) caused by a cavity or
other trauma, and often signalled by a painful toothache
Radiograph __ x_ray
Root Canal
(endodontic treatment)
__ procedure in which the diseased nerve (also called the pulp
or inside core) of a heavily decayed or damaged tooth is removed
and the central pulp space of the tooth is filled and sealed with
dental cement
Tartar (calculus)
__ hard deposit, or calcified bacterial plaque, which sticks to
the teeth and causes decay. See Calculus.
Wisdom teeth
__ Back teeth, also called third molars, that usually come in
between the ages of 15 to 25. In ancient times, humans needed
these teeth to chew and grind raw food, but today many people
have them removed because they are hard to clean, which in turn
can lead to infection, or because there is no room in the jaw
for these teeth to grow in straight.
