abscess | A localized infection usually characterized by swelling and pain from an accumulation of pus under pressure. |
acrylic | A resinous material used for denture bases, trays and dental restorations. |
amalgam | This is a filling material that is a mixture of various metals. It is also known as a "silver" filling. |
ankylotic | Direct bond of tooth to the bone. |
anterior | Situated in front of. Term used to denote the incisor and canine teeth or the forward region of the mouth. |
apex | This is the tip of the root where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth. Apically is in the direction of the tip of the root. |
articulator | A metal or plastic mechanical device to which mandibular [lower] and maxillary [upper] casts can be attached. It can reproduce the open, close and side movements of the lower jaw. |
aspirator | A plastic or metal straw-like tube placed in your mouth to remove saliva, debris and water from the high-speed drill. Also know as a saliva evacuator. |
autoclave | A machine for sterilizing instruments and other dental/medical products with steam under pressure. |
bite registration | A record taken inside the mouth to articulate the maxillary [upper] and mandibular [lower] models of a patient's teeth as they would come together in the patient's mouth. |
bonding | This is a technique for restoring a tooth by etching the tooth surface, and applying special adhesives that will bond tooth- colored composite resin to the tooth. |
bone augmentation | Increasing the amount of bone by adding bone or a material that will induce new bone growth. |
bridge (fixed bridge) | Increasing the amount of bone by adding bone or a material that will induce new bone growth.An attached group of crowns used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It is cemented onto "prepared" teeth (abutments). The replaced missing teeth are the pontics. Most common are metal crowns covered with porcelain. |
bruxism | The involuntary gnashing, grinding, or clenching of teeth. |
buccal | The surface of the tooth, restoration, or appliance that is facing the cheek - also known as facial or labial. |
bur | A rotary cutting instrument of steel, carbide, tungsten, or diamond. It comes with cutting heads of various shapes and is inserted into the high speed or slow speed handpiece. |
calculus | Plaque that has become calcified and hard. Also known as tatar. |
cantilevered | Supported on only one end. A cantilevered bridge would have teeth support on only one side. |
caries | Another name for tooth decay. Also know as a cavity. |
cast | See Study model |