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

A
Abscess -
Absorption –
Amalgam – Restorative material made from an alloy mixtures, including mercury used to fill cavities.
Analgesic – Referring to medications that alleviate pain.
Anesthesia – (Local or General) Local anesthesia is the use of medications to numb nerve endings to avoid pain.  General anesthesia is the use of pharmacologic agents to cause a patient to be partially or completely asleep.
Anterior Teeth – The front teeth. Includes upper and lower central and lateral incisors and all cuspids.
APF – Acidulated phosphate fluoride; professional strength fluoride treatment
Alginate – Impression material.
Alloy – Another name for a silver filling.
Alveolar – Referring to the ridge of bone and soft tissue that supports the teeth.
Amalgam – Another name for a silver filling.
Amnesia – Loss of memory.
Ankylosis – Immobility and fixation of a tooth to the surrounding bone.
Anterior – Situated in front of; pertaining to the front teeth or front of the mouth.
ANUG – Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis; severe form of gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene
Arch – Referring to the complete upper or lower segment of teeth.
Autoclave – Device used to sterilize dental equipment.
Avulsion – Traumatic removal of a tooth from its corresponding socket.

B
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay – Dental decay typically affecting the upper front teeth, caused by the consumption of sugary substances (commonly breast milk and/or juices) from excessive nursing, bottle or sippy-cup use.
Baby Teeth – Primary teeth; first set of teeth.
Band & Loop – A space maintainer used to hold space for the eruption of a single permanent tooth following the premature loss of 1-2 primary teeth.
Bicuspids – Permanent teeth located between the front teeth and back molars.  Bicuspids erupt into the positions where the primary molars first exist.
Bilateral – Occurring on two sides.
Biopsy – Microscopic study of a piece of tissue; used to determine whether a pathologic condition exists.
Bitewing Radiograph – X-ray used during the diagnosis of cavities, especially between the teeth.
Bonding - Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface of the teeth.
Bridge - A fixed or removable appliance that replaces a segment of lost teeth.
Bruxism – Referring to a teeth grinding habit.

C
Calculus – Hardening of plaque if not properly removed (also known as tartar).  
Canal – The narrow tubular chamber inside a tooth's root where a nerve, artery and vein reside.
Canines – Also called cuspids.
Canker Sore – A lesion 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.
Carbohydrate – Starch, cellulose and sugar type of food; found in wheat, rice, and potatoes; are cariogenic.   
Caries – Another term for dental decay or cavities.
Caries Risk Assessment – An evaluation of an individual’s probability to develop cavities.
Cariogenic – Causing cavities.
Cementum – The outer protective layer which covers the root of a tooth.
Cold Sore – Also known as a fever blister.  Usually occurs on the outside of the mouth, usually at the corners of the mouth.  A cold sore is contagious as it is caused by the herpes simplex virus.  Vesicles are usually painful and filled with contagious fluid.
Composite Filling – Tooth colored restorations, also known as resin fillings.
Composite Resin – An esthetic, white-colored tooth filling. 
Contouring – The process of reshaping a tooth.
Crown – An artificial cover that is placed over the top of a tooth when decay is excessive.
Cusps – The pointed parts on top of the back teeth's chewing surface.
Cuspids – Also known as canines.  Front teeth that typically have a protruding, sharp edges.

D
Decalcification – Removal of calcium or salts from a tissue such as bone or enamel.
Deciduous – Referring to the primary teeth which are eventually replaced.
Dentin – The second layer of a tooth beneath the protective outer enamel layer.
Dentifrice – Toothpaste.
Denture – A removable set of fake teeth.
Diastema – Space occurring between two teeth.
Dilaceration – Distortion occurring during the development of a tooth’s root.
Direct Pulp Cap – The application of a medication directly onto an exposed nerve of a tooth after removing extensive dental decay.  This treatment is used to promote healing of the nerve, provide protection against thermal stimuli, and to avoid the need for a root canal treatment.
Distal – Situated away from the center of a body; the surface most distant from the midline.
Distal Shoe – A space maintainer used to hold space for the eruption of a permanent first molar following the premature loss of a primary second molar.

E
Early Childhood Caries – decay typically affecting the upper front teeth, caused by the consumption of sugary substances (commonly breast milk and/or juices) from excessive nursing, bottle or sippy-cup use.
Ectopic – Eruption of a tooth in an abnormal position.
Edentulous – Tootless.
Enamel – The protective outer layer of a tooth.
Endodontics – Specialty of dentistry that addresses problems affecting a tooth's nerve.
Excavation – Removal of a cavity from an infected tooth.
Expander – General term for orthodontic appliance used to correct dental crossbites and/or provide additional space for a crowded upper dental arch.  The most commonly used expanders are the quad-helix and the rapid palatal expander.
Extraction – Removal of a tooth due to excessive dental decay, abscess, trauma, over-retention, space management issues or various other reasons. 

F
Fetid – Foul smelling.
Finger Springs – An adjunctive orthodontic device used to reposition front teeth in crossbite.  Commonly attached to a quad-helix.
Fistula – Abnormal opening; commonly referring to the draining of a dental abscess.
Fixed Appliance – Referring to a dental or orthodontic appliance that cannot be removed.
Fluoridation – Adjustment of the amount of soluble fluoride in water supplies in order to reduce the incidence of caries.
Fluoride – A naturally occurring substance that has been found to strengthen a tooth's protective enamel layer.
Fluorosis – Harmless over-exposure to fluoride; resulting in tooth discoloration and excessive strengthening of the enamel.
Frenectomy – Release of thickened connective tissues from beneath the tongue (sublingual frenum) or upper lip (labial frenum).  Thickening of this tissue can inhibit the natural cleaning motions of the tongue, can affect speech and may cause unattractive spacing between the permanent front teeth.  Thickening of the sublingual frenum leads to an increased risk for dental decay within the back teeth and may influence an individual’s speech pattern.
Frenum – Fold of mucous membrane extending from the inner surface of the upper lip, cheek or beneath the tongue.

G
Gingiva – Another word for gum tissue.
Gingivitis – Inflammatory disease of the gums caused by a build-up of bacterial latent plaque.
Gum Disease – An infection of the gum tissues.  Also called periodontal disease.

H
Hematoma – Collection of blood beneath the tissues of the mouth causing swelling; generally following a trauma.
Hospital Dentistry – Completion of dental treatment within a hospital setting while under general anesthesia.  Such treatment is typically recommended for handicapped patients, young patients with extensive treatment needs, or those that are medically compromised.
Hypersensitivity – More than a normal reaction to stimuli.
Hypoplastic Enamel – A condition where the protective enamel layer of a tooth does not develop properly leaving the tooth susceptible to tooth decay.  This condition leaves the tooth discolored and weak resulting in eventual breakdown.
Hypoglossal – Located beneath the tongue.

I
Impaction – A condition in which a tooth fails or only partially erupts into the mouth.  The tooth subsequently gets ghstuck or impacted in the surround bone.
Implant - A permanent, surgically placed prosthesis used to replace a missing tooth or to support a section of teeth.
Impression – Process of obtaining a model of the mouth; imprint, mold or negative form from which a dental cast is made.
Intravenous Sedation – Use of intravenous medications provided by an anesthesiologist to help precipitate the delivery of dental treatment in young patients, handicapped children, patients suffering from extensive dental phobias or when oral conscious sedation has previously been ineffective.
Indirect Pulp Cap – The application of a medication overtop a near pulpal exposure of a tooth after removing extensive dental decay.  This treatment is used to promote healing of the nerve, provide protection against thermal stimuli, and to avoid the need for a root canal treatment.
Incisor - Front four teeth with flat cutting edges.

L
Laminate Veneer - A highly esthetic shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth.  This restoration is usually thin and made from a porcelain material.
Lower Lingual Holding Arch – A space maintainer used to hold space for the eruption of one or more permanent teeth following the premature loss of multiple primary teeth.  This appliance called a bilateral space maintainer as it attaches to both sides of the lower dental arch.

M
Malocclusion – Improper relationship between the upper and lower dental arches; a less than ideal bite.
Mandible – Pertains to the lower jaw bone.
Maxilla – Pertains to the upper jaw bone.
Microabrasion – A procedure used to eliminate or lighten stains and discolorations from teeth.
Molar – The largest teeth furthest back in the mouth.  Molars have large chewing surfaces used for crushing foods.
Mottling – Surface marking of teeth caused by fluorosis or other drugs such as tetracycline.
Mucocole – Collection of mucus beneath the tissue arising from a salivary gland.  Caused by blockage to a salivary duct.

N
Nance Appliance – Bilateral space maintainer used on the upper dental arch.
Nitrous Oxide – Inhalation agent that minimizes anxiety, decreases gagging reflexes and dries the mouth.  Also known as laughing or goofy gas.

O
Occlusion – Referring to an individual’s bite.
Open-Face Stainless Steel Crown – Silver-colored crown containing a white veneer, which is placed over front teeth following extensive tooth destruction or complete removal of the nerve.  This restoration provides excellent protection and good esthetics.  Usually recommended when a minimal amount of tooth structure remains after removal of decay.
Oral Conscious Sedation – Use of an oral sedative medication to help overcome dental anxiety during the administering of dental treatment in young patients, handicapped children, patients suffering from extensive dental phobias.
Orthodontics – The specialty of dentistry that deals with facial growth & development, tooth straightening and jaw alignment.

P
Palate - Roof of the mouth separates the oral and nasal cavities.
Palatal Expander – General term for orthodontic appliance used to correct dental crossbites and/or provide additional space for a crowded upper dental arch.  The most commonly used expanders are the quad-helix and the rapid palatal expander.
Palliative – Medicine or treatment that alleviates discomfort, but does not cure disease.
Panoramic Radiograph – A dental x-ray that is used to assess dental development, growth patterns, examine for hard tissue lesions & tumors, evaluate the TMJs, sinuses, and positioning of the teeth.  This radiograph is recommended initially at age 6 and again every three years thereafter for routine diagnostics.
Pathologic – Caused by disease.
Pedi-Partial – Sometimes called a pedo-partial.  Prosthesis used to replace missing front primary teeth.
Pediatric Dentistry – Contemporary term for the specialty of dentistry that deals with providing care specifically for children. 
Pedodontics – Archaic term for the specialty of dentistry that deals with providing care specifically for children.  More commonly known as Pediatric Dentistry.
Periapical Radiograph – Type of dental x-ray used to evaluate roots of teeth, as well as surrounding hard tissues.
Periodontal Pocket – The space formed between the gums and tooth due to receding gums.
Periodontal Disease - Disease of the gum tissues.  Also called gum disease.  Leads to loss of teeth.
Periodontist – Dental specialist who treats diseases and defects associated with the gums.
Periodontitis – Inflammation of the ligament or tissue that supports a tooth; may cause eventual loss of bone.
Permanent Teeth – The teeth that erupt after primary teeth.  Also called adult or succedaneous teeth.  A full set includes 32 teeth, including 4 wisdom teeth.
Plaque - A sticky, colorless, bacterial-latent substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing.  Plaque contains the bacteria associated with the process of dental decay.
Posterior Teeth – Also called the back teeth.  Includes molars and premolars.
Premolar – Another term for a bicuspid; permanent teeth that succeed the primary molars.  
Premaxilla – Portion of the maxilla where the incisors develop and erupt.
Primary Teeth – A person's initial set of teeth.  Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth.  A full set includes 20 teeth.
Prophylaxis – The act of cleaning the teeth.
Prosthodontics – The dental specialty that deals with replacing lost or damaged teeth using artificial appliances.
Pulp – The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves and connective tissue.
Pulpectomy – Complete removal of an infected nerve followed by the placement of a medication to preserve remaining tissues.  Requires placement of a stainless steel crown to protect the remaining fragile tooth.
Pulpotomy – Partial removal of an infected nerve followed by the placement of a medication to preserve remaining tissues.  Requires placement of a stainless steel crown to protect the remaining fragile tooth.

Q
Quad Helix – Orthodontic appliance used to correct crossbites associated with the back teeth.  This appliance can also be modified to correct crossbites of the front teeth as well.

R
Receding Gum – A condition where the gums separate from the tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the root’s protective outer cementum layer and sportive bone, leading to loss of gum and bone tissue around a tooth.
Remineralization – Restoring mineral salts back into a tissue such as enamel or bone.
Removable Appliance – Referring to a dental or orthodontic appliance that can be removed.
Resin Filling – An artificial restoration material that is used to replace a cavity.  Also called a composite filling.
Root Canal – A procedure that is performed when the nerve within a tooth dies or becomes necrotic whereby the pulp is removed, the canal cleaned and sterilized and filling material is inserted to secure the chamber.
Rubber Dam – Protective barrier placed around a tooth while repairing.

S
Scaling & Root Planing – The act of removing calculus and diseased tissue from a tooth’s enamel and cementum surfaces.
Sedation – Use of medications to produce a restful state of mind.
Space Maintainers – General term for one of several appliances used to eliminate the shifting of dentition after the premature loss of teeth.  Space maintainers are either unilateral (involving one side of the mouth) or bilateral (connects to both sides of the mouth).  Appliances include the Band & Loop, Distal Shoe, Lower Lingual Holding Arch, Nance Appliance, or the Transpalatal Arch.
Strip Crown – Complete coverage of a front tooth using white resin restoration material.  This restoration offers ideal esthetics for front teeth, but is limited in its use due to the need for an ample amount of remaining tooth structure.
Sealant – A synthetic protective resin placed into the pits & fissures of a tooth which protects these vulnerable areas from tooth decay.
Stainless Steel Crown – Silver-colored crown placed overtop a tooth, which has suffered excessive destruction and/or complete or partial removal of its nerve. 
Sterilization – Process of rendering instruments sterile.

T
Tartar – Also known as calculus; term given to hardened plaque which sticks to the tooth's surface.
Temporary Filling – Placement of a provisional filling material to provide temporary protection from possible symptoms and/or to allow for short-term observation of a tooth prior to presenting definitive recommendations or completing such treatment.
TMD – Disorder associated with the dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.
TMJ – Temporomandibular joint; joint which connects the upper and lower jaws together just below the ear.
Transpalatal Arch – A space maintainer used to hold space for the eruption of one or more permanent teeth following the premature loss of multiple primary teeth.  This appliance called a bilateral space maintainer as it attaches to both sides of the upper dental arch.

V
Veneer – A highly esthetic shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth.  This restoration is usually thin and made from a porcelain material.

W
Whitening – An esthetic procedure which eliminates external stains imbedded into the enamel surface.
Wisdom Teeth - Third set of permanent molars that erupts in late adolescence.

X
Xerostomia – Dryness of the mouth due to a lack of saliva production.
X-Ray – Use of electromagnetic spectrum of radiation to produce images on film.