-A-
Abscess
- infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease
Amalgam
- a silver and mercury material used for fillings
Anesthetic
- a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures
Anterior
- the teeth in the front of your mouth
Antiseptic
- an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs
Apex
- the very tip of the root of a tooth
Aspirator
- a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth
-B-
Bleaching Agent
- a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth
Bonding
- a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage
Bridge
- one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth
Bruxism
- the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping
-C-
Calculus
- the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar
Canine
- the pointy teeth just behind the laterals
Caries
- another name for cavities or decayed teeth
Cavity
- a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay
Central
- the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth
Crown
- an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal
Cuspid
- the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines
-D-
Decalcification
- the loss of calcium from the teeth
Deciduous Teeth
- also called "baby teeth”
Dental Implants
- an implant is attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth
Denture
- a removable set of artificial teeth
-E-
Enamel
- the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line
Endodontist
- a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth)
Extraction
- the removal of a tooth or teeth
-F-
Filling
- a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity
Fluoride
- a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay
-G-
Gingivitis
- inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth
Gums
- the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth
-I-
Impacted Tooth
- often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction
Incisal
- related to incisors (see below)
Incisor
- one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth
Inlays
- a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth
Instant Orthodontics
- alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns
-L-
Lateral
- these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals
-N-
Night Guard -
a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth. Often used to treat TMJ
-P-
Pedontist
- also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth
Periodontist
- a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease
Plaque
- a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay
Posterior Teeth
- the teeth in the back of the mouth
Primary Teeth
- also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth
Prosthodontist
- a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth
-R-
Root
- the portion of the tooth below your gum line
Root Canal
- cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed
-S-
Sealant
- plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children
Secondary Teeth
- the permanent teeth
Six-Year Molar
- commonly known as "the first molar"
Sleep Apnea
- a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night
-T-
Tartar
- see calculus
TMJ Syndrome
- a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw, often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.
Tooth Whitening
- a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth
Twelve-Year Molar
- commonly known as "the second molar"
-V-
Veneer
- a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth