| Dental Dictionary -
Click on the letter to scroll to the corresponding section.
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
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A |
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loss of tooth structure caused by tooth
grinding, an improper bite, a hard toothbrush or poor
brushing technique
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a localized infection of a tooth and/or
the gum
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tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or
removable bridge
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removal of tooth structure by blasting
a tooth with air and abrasive, also a relatively new
technology in dentistry that often avoids the need for
anesthetic
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an unwanted bodily response to a substance
or organism
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the bone surrounding the roots of teeth
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the most common material used for fillings,
also called silver fillings; a mixture of mercury (app
50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings
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partial loss of pain sensation
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absence of pain sensation; numbing a
tooth is local anesthesia; with general anesthesia the
patient is unconscious
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the six upper and six lower front teeth
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a drug that stops or slows the growth
of germs (bacteria)
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an acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative
Gingivitis, more commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's
disease, often brought on by stress and/or smoking
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the tip of the root of a tooth
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removal of the root end of a tooth to
treat an infection
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shape assumed collectively by upper and
lower teeth
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B |
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the first teeth, also called
deciduous teeth; usually there are twenty baby teeth
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a cement applied under a filling
or crown to decrease sensitivity to heat or cold and
protect the filling
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removal of a small piece of
tissue to determine if it is diseased
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how the upper and lower teeth
come together; may also be called occlusion
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excessive growth of fungi
that normally live in the mouth
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anesthetizing a nerve that
serves a large area of the jaw, usually the lower jaw;
may numb teeth, tongue and half of the jaw in that area
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applying a tooth-colored resin
to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth,
most often a front tooth
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decrease in bone supporting
the roots of teeth; a common result of gum disease
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the gradual loss of bone Orthodontists
use this process to "pull" teeth through bone to new
positions.
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devices used by orthodontists
to gradually reposition teeth
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appliance cemented to teeth
adjacent to a space that replaces one or more missing
teeth; usually cemented or attached to teeth or implants
adjacent to the space
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involuntary, "nervous" grinding
of the teeth while the patient is asleep
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involuntary, "nervous" grinding
of the teeth while the patient is awake
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C |
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chemical element needed for
healthy teeth, bones and nerves
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hard residue, ranging from
yellow to brown, forming on teeth when oral hygiene
is incomplete or improper
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whitish, often circular mouth sore lasting
ten to fourteen days
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fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent
teeth on one end only
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common term for crown
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tooth decay or cavities
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dental tool that uses high frequency
sound waves to clean teeth
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uncontrolled infection causing extensive
swelling Since this is a dangerous condition, a dentist
or physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
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hard tissue that covers the roots of
teeth
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to measure the depth of the gum pockets
around teeth
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device that retains a removable partial
denture
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removal of plaque and calculus from teeth,
generally above the gumline
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common bonding mix of plastic and glass/ceramic
particles; usually cured with light or chemicals
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two meanings: (1)the portion of a tooth
covered by enamel, and (2)a restoration that covers
all or most of the natural tooth above the gumline
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removal of dead inner tissue from a gum
pocket
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a fluid-filled sac
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D |
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destruction of tooth structure
caused by acid produced by bacteria
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baby teeth
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hard, living inner layer of
a tooth (the layer immediately under the outer enamel
layer)
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a (usually) titanium cylinder
surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower
jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth
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your teeth and how they are
arranged in your mouth
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a removable set of artificial
teeth
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the production and sale of
dentures by non-dentists
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the space between front teeth
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E |
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hard tissue covering the crown
(portion above the gumline) of a tooth
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a specialist who treats injuries,
diseases and infections of the tooth pulp
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the process whereby teeth
grow through the gums
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See extraction.
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a pointed instrument for examining
the surfaces of teeth
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removal of a tooth/teeth
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the four upper and lower canine
or eye teeth
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F |
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the visible portion of a crown;
may be acrylic, composite or porcelain
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restoring lost tooth structure
with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin
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tunnel conducting pus from
one infection to the site of another; a mouth fistula
is called a gum boil
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loosening of gums from bone
to expose and clean underlying tooth structures
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instrument used to remove
a tooth
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removable denture replacing
all teeth in upper or lower arch
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removal of the frenum, the
thin cord of tissue that attaches the upper or lower
lips to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth |
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G |
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(guided tissue regeneration)
a new technique for replacing bone tissue lost between
roots of teeth
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a controlled state of unconsciousness,
accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation,
protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully
to physical stimulation or verbal command
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loss of all usual color and
texture of tongue; does not require treatment
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the gums
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removal of gum tissue
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inflammation of gum tissue
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See fistula.
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H |
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bad breath
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compound used as a dental
whitening agent and mouthwash
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dental sensitivity to temperature
and sweets; can precede an abscess
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I |
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an unexposed or partially
exposed tooth that is so wedged against another tooth,
bone, or soft tissue that complete exposure of the tooth
is unlikely
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artificial device replacing
tooth root; may anchor an artificial tooth, bridge,
or denture
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making an incision in an abscess
to drain infection
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four upper and four lower
front teeth, (excludes the canine teeth)
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process for numbing the upper
teeth (placing anesthetic liquid under the gum tissue
and allowing it to migrate into the bone)
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a filling made by a dental
laboratory that is cemented into place, generally requires
two dental appointments
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- intraoral camera:
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a tiny TV camera used to view
tissues of the mouth (owned by approximately 50 percent
of U S dentists
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J |
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crown for a front tooth, usually
made of porcelain
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L |
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thin plastic or porcelain
veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded
to a tooth to improve its appearance
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common name for nitrous oxide;
used to reduce anxieties and relax patients
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elimination of the sensation
of pain, in one part of the body by the surface application
or regional injection of an anesthetic drug
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M |
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"bad bite" or misalignment
between the upper and lower teeth
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program whereby patient-dentist
assignment and dentist reimbursement are administered
by a separate, external organization
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the lower jaw
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point of contact between a
restoration and the tooth
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a bridge that is bonded or
cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth
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the upper jaw
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the baby teeth
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the twelve back teeth in the
entire mouth (or the three back teeth in each fourth
of the mouth if the wisdom teeth are in)
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N |
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common term for tooth pulp
which is the sensitive innermost portion of a tooth
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plastic device that covers
all of the upper or lower teeth; used to prevent wear
caused by tooth grinding during sleep
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a gas used to reduce patient
anxiety
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older brand name for a local
anesthetic
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O |
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how the upper and lower teeth
come together
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laboratory-produced restoration
covering the cusps of a tooth
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oral and maxillofacial surgeon:
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a specialist who deals with
the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases,
injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting
structures. Generally requires four additional years
of training after dental school
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the mouth
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the process of maintaining
the cleanliness of the mouth
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operations on the mouth; for
example, extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and
repair of broken jaw bone
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dental specialty that treats
misalignment of teeth
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denture that fits over tooth
roots or dental implants
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P |
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treatment that is designed
primarily to reduce or eliminate pain
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loss of sensation in part
of the body
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removable denture replacing
some of the teeth
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dental specialty focusing
on treatment of children
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a specialist who treats the gums and
supporting structures of the teeth
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the thirty-two adult teeth
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a small defect in the tooth
enamel, usually found on the back teeth
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a treatment that works because
of the patient's belief in it, not because of the actual
physical change it produces
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a soft sticky substance that
accumulates on teeth; composed largely of bacteria and
food substances suspended in saliva
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a false tooth mounted on a
bridge
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a porcelain cap which covers
the crown (that portion above the gumline) of the tooth
to repair it or change the shape and/or color
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porcelain inlay or onlay:
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a tooth-colored filling, made
of porcelain
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a thin layer of porcelain
bonded to the front and top of a front tooth to repair
or change the color and/or shape
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a thin metal rod inserted
into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides
retention for a "core" which is a buildup of material
that replaces the lost tooth structure
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a post and a buildup of material
that replaces the lost tooth structure
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single structure that combines
post-core and crown
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the probable outcome of treatment
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procedure for preserving the
health and preventing infection of teeth
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an artificial replacement
for a body part
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a dentist who specializes
in restoring teeth, replacing missing teeth with bridges
and dentures, and maintaining proper occlusion
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the nerves, blood vessels
and connective tissue inside a tooth
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a medicated covering over
a small area of exposed pulp
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the center or innermost portion
of the tooth containing the pulp
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total removal of the pulp
in children's teeth
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inflammation of the pulp;
a common cause of a toothache
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partial removal of the pulp
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common term for gum disease
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R |
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return to mouth of tooth/teeth
lost through trauma
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plastic buildup of denture
to compensate for bone loss (usually accomplished in
conjunction with a dental laboratory)
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the replacement part or portion
restored on a damaged tooth
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root remaining in jaw after
tooth is extracted or broken off
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tooth structure that connects
the tooth to the jaw
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common term for root canal
therapy, also the interior space of the tooth root
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process of removing pulp of
a tooth and filling it with an inert material
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removal of root of a tooth
while retaining the crown
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soft latex sheet used to protect
one or more teeth from moisture and to keep materials
from falling to the back of the throat
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S |
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clear fluid in the mouth containing
water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells
and undigested food particles
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suction tube placed in the
mouth to remove saliva
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located under tongue and in
cheeks, produce saliva
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meticulous removal of plaque
and calculus from tooth surfaces
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plastic material bonded in
the grooves and pits of back teeth for the prevention
of decay
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produced by the pulp in response
to tooth irritation
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the periodic interruption
or delay in breathing during sleep
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dental device that holds the
space lost through premature loss of baby teeth
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to connect two or more teeth
so they function as a stronger single structure
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extra tooth
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T |
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also called calculus, a hard
deposit containing bacteria and minerals that adheres
to teeth
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temperomandibular disorder;
term given to condition characterized by facial pain
and restricted ability to open/move the jaw
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the temporomandibular joint,
the point where the lower jaw attaches to the upper
jaw
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term given to condition characterized
by facial pain and restricted ability to open/move the
jaw
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insurance company, union,
government agency that pays all or a part of cost of
dental treatment
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early embryonic structure
that becomes a tooth
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a process to lighten the color
of teeth
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common bony growth on the
palate or lower jaw
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placing a natural tooth in
the empty socket of another tooth
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injury caused by a blow,
chemicals, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment
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gum disease characterized
by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See ANUG.
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U |
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a tooth that has not pushed through the
gum and assumed its correct position in the jaw
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V |
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plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly
to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.
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W |
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the third set of molars that usually
erupt when a person is 18-25 years of age
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