| Abscess
A
localized infected are usually surrounded by inflammation.
Acid
A
substance producing corrosive effects on the tooth
enamel surface. Bacteria in plaque change the sugar
in food into acid.
Alveolar Bone
The
part of the jaw that holds the teeth. Make up the
tooth socket.
Amalgam
An
alloy used to repair cavities containing
silver, mercury and other metals. Commonly known
as “filling”.
Anesthesia
A
partial or total long sensation.
Anesthetic
A
substance that produces anesthesia. Introduced
in the late eighteenth century, many substances
have been used, such as nitrous oxide and cocaine.
Xylocaine, introduced in 1948, is perhaps the most
commonly used today.
Bacteria
One-celled
microscopic organism that are in the body. Some
in the mouth converts sugars to acids.
Bicuspid
A permanent
tooth with two points, or cusps. A memolar
tooth designed to tear and grind food.
Bridge
A
fixed replacement for one or more teeth.
Calcium
A
natural mineral that is especially important in
strengthening and hardening teeth and bones.
Calculus Hardened plaque that
forms around teeth, caused when it mixes
with components in the saliva. Calculus can form
in as little as 48 hours. It can only be removed
by a professional. Also known as Tartar.
Carnivore
An
animal with a diet that consists primarily of meat.
Caries
Tooth
decay.
Cavity
A
hole or recess in the tooth caused by decay.
Cementum
A
fibrous tissue covering the root of the tooth which
serves as its attachment area for surrounding structure.
Crown
The
portion of the tooth covered with enamel that
is exposed to the mouth( as opposed
to the root). Also a replacement
made of gold, porcelain, or resin for
the natural crown.
Cusp
A “point” found
on a tooth.
Cuspi
A
tooth with one point or cusp, designed
for tearing food. Commonly known as the canine
or eye-tooth.
Deciduous Teeth
Baby
teeth, twenty in number, which falls out and are replaced
by permanent teeth sometime between
the ages of
five and thirteen years old. They generally erupt
between the ages of 6 months to 2 ½ years
of age .
Dental Assistant
A
dental team member that provides supportive tasks
such as taking x-rays, chair side
assistance to the dentist, etc. Education is one
or two years above high school or work experience.
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Dental Caries
Tooth decay.
Dental Floss
A thread used to clean plaque and
food from between teeth.
Dental Hygienist
A dental team member who specializes in
cleaning the teeth and preventive methods. Two
to four years of college level education is required
and a state license to practice.
Dental Specialist
A
dentist that specializes in one of many areas,
including pediatric dentistry (paed, child +
iatreia, treatment), periodontics (peri, around
+ odious, tooth), orthodontics and dentofacial
orthopedics (orthos, straightening = oudus, tooth)
oral pathology (os, mouth + al, akin and maxilla,
jaw = facies, face).
Dental Technician
A
dental team member specializing in laboratory work
dealing with dentistry: makes crowns, dentures,
etc., based on a dentist’s recommendations
and specifications. One to two years of education
beyond high school are needed generally.
Dentfrice
Any
compound or solution designed to clean teeth.
Dentin
A bone-like
tissue located under the enamel. This forms the
greatest part of the tooth’s mass and is
softer than enamel.
Dentist
One
who profession is the diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment of diseases of the tissues compromising
the mouth, especially the restoration, replacement
of defective teeth.
Dentistry
The
art or profession of a dentist.
Dentition
The
arrangement of teeth in the mouth, including size, spacing,
and number.
Denture
A
man-made replacement for missing natural teeth,
generally designed to replace all or majority
of lost teeth.
Enamel
The
hard outer layer of the crown of
the tooth. The hardest tissue in the body.
Eruption
The
process of a tooth breaking through the gums into
the mouth.
Explorer
Instrument
used to detect faults in the teeth’s enamel.
Extraction
Removing
or “pulling” a tooth.
Filling
A
material (usually amalgam) placed
in a cavity to prevent further
erosion.
Fluoride
A
natural element sometimes found in ground water
that can strengthen the enamel of the tooth, making
it more resistant to decay acids.
Gingival
The
tissue surrounding the alveolar bone and
teeth usually referred to as the gums.
Gingivitis Inflammation
of the gums.
Greenwood, John
George
Washington’s favorite dentist. Greenwood,
( 1760-1819) of New York City, made three of the
four dentures exhibited. Washington often tinkered
the dentures sent to him by Greenwood . Washington
was buried with a set of dentures made by Greenwood.
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Gums
See gingival.
Halitosis
Bad breath.
Herbivore
Ananimal with a diet
that consists primarily of plants.
Incisors
Teeth designed to cut food, found in the
front of the mouth.
Inlay
A solid filling fitted to the shape of
a cavity and cemented into place. Made of either
gold or ceramic.
Malocclusion Circumstance
where teeth are not aligned properly.
Mandible
The lower jaw-bone.
Maxilla
The upper jaw-bone.
Molars
Teeth designed to grind food, found in
the back of the mouth.
Occlusion
The way teeth are aligned and come together
when the mouth is closed.
Omnivore
An
animal with a diet that consist of both meats and
plants.
Periodontal Disease
Disease
that strikes the gums and the bones surrounding
the teeth.
Permanent Teeth
Thirty-two
in number, theses teeth erupt sometime between
the ages of five and 13 and are meant to last for
life. The last permanent teeth to erupt are the
third molars (wisdom teeth) between the ages of
17 and 21.
Plaque
A
soft sticky material composed of bacteria and other
materials which form on the teeth every 24 hours.
Primary Teeth
Baby
teeth. See deciduous teeth.
Prophylaxis Professional
cleaning of the teeth which is designed to remove
calculus, plaque and other harmful materials from
the teeth to prevent oral disease.
Pulp
The
inner tissues of the tooth which contains the nerve
and blood vessels.
Resin
Plastic
material used for crowns, fillings, or
other dental work.
Restoration
Any
artificial substance or structure that replaces
missing teeth or part of a tooth in order to protect
the mouth's ability to eat, chew, and speak.
Root
The
part of the tooth attached into the supporting
bone.
Sealant
A
preventative plastic coating applied to the back
teeth. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces to protect
them from decay.
Wisdom Teeth
Large
molars in the very back of the jaw.
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