A

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.

B

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.

C

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.

D

Dentin

The tooth layer underneath the enamel.

Denture

A removable set of teeth.

E

Endodontics

A form of dentistry that addresses problems affecting the tooth's root or nerve.

F

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.

G

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.

I

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.

L

Laminate veneer

A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

M

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.

N

Neuromuscular Dentistry

are more than the aches and pains felt in around the neck and head that are associated with your teeth and jaw.

O

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.

P

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.

R

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.

S

Sealant

A synthetic material placed on the tooth's surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces.

T

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.

V

Veneer

A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth.

W

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.