Glossary - Oral Health

| A || B || C || D || E || F || G || H || I || J || K || L || M |
| N || O || P || Q || R || S || T || U || V || W || X || Y || Z |

A

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abutment teeth - the surrounding teeth of each side of the gap where teeth are missing.

B

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bruxism - the condition of incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times.

C

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composite resins - also know as white fillings, a composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide) that is used primarily for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

crown - a "cap" that covers a cracked or broken tooth, unfixed by a filling, to approximate its normal size and shape.

D

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DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery.

deciduous teeth - also known as "baby" or primary teeth.

dental amalgams - also known as silver fillings, dental amalgams are comprised of a mixture of mercury (45 to 50 percent), and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper (50 to 55 percent).

dental fluorosis - a condition that results from drinking overly fluoridated water that often causes the teeth to become discolored and the enamel of the teeth to look spotted, pitted, or stained.

dental implants - small dental appliances that are inserted into the upper and lower jaws to help restore a mouth that has little or no non-restorable teeth.

dental pulp - the soft tissue around the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

dental sealant - a thin, plastic film that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - the molars and premolars - to prevent tooth decay.

DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine.

E

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endodontist - also called a pulp specialist, a endodontist has undergone specialized training in performing root canal therapy.

F

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G

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H

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halitosis - an oral health condition characterized by consistently odorous breath.

I

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internal derangement of the joint - a dislocated jaw or displaced disc, or injury to the condyle (the rounded edges of the jaw).

J

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K

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L

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M

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malocclusion - an orthodontic problem that means "bad bite," including crowded, missing, or crooked teeth, extra teeth, or a misaligned jaw.

myofascial pain - the most common form of temporomandibular disorder; discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles.

N

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O

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oral and maxillofacial surgeon - orthopedic facial surgeon who is responsible for treating a wide variety of dental problems - including the removal of impacted teeth and reconstructive facial surgery.

oropharynx - the part of the throat at the back of the mouth.

orthodontics - orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite, and jaws.

P

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pediatric dentist - a specialist in the field of dentistry - dealing particularly with the oral healthcare of children, from infancy through the teenage years.

periodontal diseases - also called gum diseases, periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the gums and the surrounding tissues of the mouth.

periodontist - a specialist in the field of dentistry responsible for the care and prevention of gum-related diseases, guided bone regeneration, and dental implants.

plaque - a thin, sticky film of bacteria.

pontic tooth - false tooth.

porcelain veneers - a ceramic material is bonded to the front of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape.

prosthodontist - a dental specialist who has undergone additional training and certification in the restoration and replacement of broken teeth with crowns, bridges, or removable prosthetics (dentures).

Q

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R

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S

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T

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temporomandibular joints (TMJ) - the two joints that connect the jaw to the skull.

U

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V

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W

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X

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Y

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Z

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