M  N   O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X

M

Malocclusion - Poor or improper positioning of your teeth; Meaning "bad bite"; Any bite other than normal

Malocclusion - Poor or improper positioning of your teeth; Meaning "bad bite"; Any bite other than normal

Mandible or Mandibular - Lower jaw or referring to lower jaw

Margin - Interface between a restoration and tooth structure

Masticate (mastication) - The process of chewing food

Maxilla or Maxillary - Upper jaw or referring to upper jaw

Mesial - Surface of the tooth towards the front of the mouth; for example your cuspid is mesial to you bicuspid; the mesial surface of your lateral incisor is the part closedt to the central incisor

Midline - A plane through the very center of your mouth perpendicular to your nose

Milk teeth - Deciduous (baby) teeth

Mixed dentition - The situation when both deciduous and permanent teeth are present

Model or cast - Reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold

Molars - The first, second and third molars, those are the sixth, seventh and eighth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth; the back teeth with the large chewing surface on top; They have 4 points (cusps); large teeth toward the back of the mouth; Numbers 1-3, 14-16, 17-19 and 30-32.

Moniliasis (thrush) - Opportunistic fungal infection after administration of antibiotic; not uncommon in the mouth

Mouth-guard - A removable device that is used to protect your mouth from injury when you are participating in sports; The use of a mouth-guard is especially important for orthodontic patients, to prevent injuries

Mucogingival junction (MGJ) - The meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the friable mucous lining of the cheeks and lips

N

Nightguard - A removable acrylic appliance used to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (TMD), usually worn at night.

Nitrous Oxide - Colorless, sweet-tasting gas with a pleasing smell when inhaled, also called "laughing gas," used to help patients relax during treatment.

Novocain - Older brand name for a local anesthetic, currently replaced by safer, more effective agents

NSAID - Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, often used as a dental analgesic; motrin and advil are NSAIDs

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O

Occlusal - The chewing or grinding surface of the bicuspid and molar teeth

Occlusal Guard - See Night-guard

Occlusion - The alignment and spacing of your upper and lower teeth when you bite down.

Onlay - A laboratory processed gold or porcelain restoration that is cemented onto a prepared site in the tooth and covers one or more cusps (As opposed to an inlay, which does not cover any cusps)

Open bite - A malocclusion in which the teeth do not close or come together in the front of your mouth

Operative Dentistry - The restoring of decayed and broken teeth with silver, gold and tooth-colored materials

Oral - Pertaining to the mouth

Oral cavity -The mouth

Oral hygiene - The process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth and related structures

Oral Surgery (O.S.) - Surgical procedures involving the oral cavity.

Oral Sedation - Any substance taken orally (i.e., a pill or liquid) to reduce anxiety and relax the patient.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon - A dental specialist who manages the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures;

Ortho - See Orthodontics

Orthodontics - The part of dentistry that treats misalignment of teeth. The treatment preformed to correct your bite and make your smile look great. Treatment usually consists of braces and/or removable appliances

Orthodontist - A dentist who has been specially trained to do orthodontics

Osseous - Boney

Overdenture - Denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants

Overbite - Vertical overlapping of the upper teeth over the lower

Overjet - Horizontal projection of upper teeth beyond the lower

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P

P.A - Common dental language for a periapical. See Periapical.

PPO or PDO - Preferred provider (dental) organization which a health care (dental) provider may join, offering fee for service treatment at reduced fees. In order to offer reduced fees, the dentist or physician bears the full loss of income, or must deliver a lesser standard of care to the patients.

Palate - The general term that refers to the roof of the mouth.

Palliative Treatment - Treatment that relieves pain only (is not the final treatment)

Panorex (panoramic) X-ray - An X-ray taken by a machine that rotates around your head to give the dentist a picture of your teeth, jaw and other important structures.

Partial Denture - A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

Pathogens - Disease producing organisms that can exist in many different places. (e.g.: Air, dust, counter top surfaces, the body, etc.)

Pathology - The study of abnormal (diseased) tissue conditions.

Pedo - See Pedodontics.

Pedodontics (Pedo) or pediatric dentistry - The treatment of children's teeth

Pedodontist (Pedo) - A dentist who specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.

Periapical - peri="around", apical="having to do with the apex" [end of the root]; has to do with conditions involving the end of the root of the tooth; an X-ray that shows the whole tooth (above and below the gumline); also known as a single film or P.A. X-ray of individual teeth or groups of teeth - see xrays

Pericoronitis - An inflammation of the gum tissue around the crown of a tooth, usually the third molar

Perio - See Periodontics

Perio Charting - Measures the depth that the gums have detached from the side of the tooth forming a pocket (Perio pocket)

Periodontal Pocket - The pocket that forms when the gums detach from the side of the tooth; the difference between the height oh the gum tissue and where the gum tissue actually attaches to the tooth Periodontal pocket depths of 0-3mm are considered healthy

Periodontal Disease: - "Perio" means "around", and "dont" refers to teeth. This is literally is a disease that attacks the gum tissue and bone holding the tooth in place. Also called gum disease or pyorrhea.

There are many factors involved in periodontal disease, but the presence of bacteria in plaque certainly plays a major role. Part of the bone that supports the teeth or the ligaments that hold the teeth securely in place are destroyed. This disease process is generally not reversible and may require treatment from a dental professional specializing in periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can develop as a result of poor daily plaque control (e.g. brushing and flossing). However, not everyone with poor brushing and flossing techniques will develop this condition. It is wise to visit your dental hygienist or dentist regularly in order to detect early stages of the disease and to prevent further damage

Periodontal surgery - Recontouring or esthetic management of diseased gum and supporting tissue

Periodontics - Periodontics is the branch of dentistry which deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the tooth root, and the supporting bone, ligaments and surrounding tissues (gums) of the teeth. The goal of periodontal therapy is to preserve the natural teeth in health and comfortable function

Permanent Dentition - See Permanent Teeth

Permanent First and Second Molars - The adult first and second molars, they are the sixth and seventh teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. Does not include the third molar (wisdom tooth)

Permanent Molars - The adult first, second and third molars

Permanent Teeth - The adult teeth. Also known as the permanent dentition

Pit - A small defect in the tooth enamel; junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth

Plaque - A sticky substance made by and of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is transparent, but if not brushed and flossed away, will thicken, and eventually turn into calculuc (tartar)

Pocket - Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth; bacteria can enter here, causing gum disease

Pontic - A false tooth that is part of a non-removable bridge; The part of a bridge that replaces the missing teeth

Porcelain crown - All porcelain restoration covering the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line)

Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown - Restoration with metal coping covered by porcelain (for appearance)

porcelain inlay or onlay - Tooth-colored restoration made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place

Porcelain Veneers - A thin "shell" of porcelain that is bonded to the front and biting surface of a tooth to change the color and shape of teeth to improve the smile

Post - Thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides strength for lost tooth structure and retains crown

Post-and-core -Post and buildup to replace lost tooth structure and retain crown

Posterior - An adjective used to describe things pertaining to the back of your mouth or your back teeth

Posterior Teeth - The back teeth (bicuspids and molars)

Posterior Teeth - Your bicuspids and molars. These are the teeth in the back of your mouth

Premolars - Teeth located between cuspids and molars Numbers 4-5, 12-13, 20-21, and 28-29 (also known as bicuspids).

Preventive dentistry - Education and treatment devoted to and concerned with preventing the development of dental disease

Primary Dentition - See Primary Teeth.

Primary Teeth - The baby teeth. Also known as the primary dentition. The baby teeth are replaced by the adult teeth (permanent teeth). The first set of teeth which come in. Primary teeth are also called deciduous teeth

Prognosis - The anticipated outcome of treatment

Proper Occlusion - A beautiful smile where all of your teeth are straight and your top teeth line up with your bottom teeth

Prophy (short for prophylaxis) - The professional cleaning and removal of plaque, stains, and calculus from the teeth

Prosthesis - An artificial appliance for the replacement for a body part

Prosthetics - A fixed or removable appliance to replace missing teeth. Example: bridges, dentures and partials. Sometimes single crowns are considered prosthetics

Prosthodontics - The replacement of missing or lost teeth (crowns, bridges, partial and full dentures)

Prosthodontist - A dentist who specializes in the replacement of missing teeth

Proximal - Refers to the surfaces of teeth that touch the next tooth; the space between adjacent teeth is the interproximal space

Pulp - The "nerve." The vital tissue in the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. The soft inner structure of a tooth, consisting of nerve and blood vessels

Pulp canal - Another name for the pulp chamber

Pulp Chamber - The hollow center of the crown of a tooth which holds the pulp (living tissue)

Pulpectomy - Complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)

Pulpotomy - The removal of living tissue from the pulp chamber, but not from the roots

Pulp cap - A medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp tissue

Pyorrhea - Older term for periodontal (gum) disease

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Q

Quadrant - One of the four equal sections of the mouth. The upper right, upper left, lower right or the lower left.

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R

R.C.T. - See Root Canal Therapy

Radiograph - Another name for an X-ray

Rebase - Replacement of all of the "gum-colored" acrylic on a full denture, keeping the teeth and their positions intact

Recall (Recare) - Appointment for a patient who is returning for a general check-up/cleaning

Reline - Acrylic addition to full or partial dentures to compensate for bone loss; replacing the acrylic on the tissue side of dentures

Resin Filling - See Composite Filling

Restoration - Filling used to restore the tooth. Procedures performed to restore the missing part of the teeth. Some insurance companies only consider the fillings restorative, others consider the fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures to be paid at the restorative (basic) dentistry rate

Retained root - Partial root structure remaining in jaw after extraction or fracture of a natural tooth

Retainer - An appliance for maintaining the positions of the teeth and jaws immediately after the completion of orthodontic treatment.

Retruded - A term used when your front teeth are slanted lingually (i.e. toward the back of your mouth).

Root -The part of your tooth in your gums

Root Canal Therapy - A procedure used to save an abscessed tooth in which the pulp chamber and canals in the roots are cleaned out, disinfected, and filled with a permanent filling

Root Planing - Deep cleaning of the teeth to remove hardened plaque below the gumline; This periodontal procedure is usually performed one quadrant at a time, often with local anesthesia.

Root resection - Removal of a portion of diseased root structure, retaining the remaining natural tooth

Rotation - A movement in which a tooth is turned along the long axis of the tooth

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S

Saliva - Clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles

Saliva ejector - Suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva

Salivary glands -Located under tongue and in cheeks; produce saliva

Scaling - Removal of hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) from teeth, usually done as part of a cleaning (prophy);
Scaling refers to removal of tartar above - the gum line.
Root planing refers to the removal of tartar below the gum line.

Sealants - A plastic coating applied to grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth to prevent decay

Second Bicuspid - The teeth just behind the first bicuspids. These teeth also have two cusps (or points)

Second Molar - The teeth just behind the first. These teeth also have a level surface with four cusps.

Secondary dentin - Reparative tooth structure produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation

Secondary Teeth - Your permanent teeth, i.e. the second group of teeth to come in.

Separator (spacer) - A plastic or metal part which the Orthodontist uses to create space between your teeth for bands

Single Film - See Periapical

Sinusitis - Infammation of the sinus that may mimc dental pain

Sleep Apnea - a disorder which is potentially fatal in which a person who is asleep may stop breathing multiple times for more than 10 seconds

Space maintainer - A dental appliance that fills the space of a lost tooth or teeth and prevents the other teeth from moving into the space. Used especially in orthodontic and pediatric treatment

Splint - Connection of two or more teeth so they function as a stronger single structure; a device to alter the bite used in joint problems or orthodontics

Stainless steel crown - A pre-made metal crown, shaped like a tooth, that is used to temporarily cover a seriously decayed or broken down tooth; Used most often on children's teeth

Sterilization - Literally, "the destruction of all living things"; the process health care professionals use to treat the instruments they use on patients

Sulcus - The normal space between the gum tissue and the tooth

Supernumerary teeth - Some people have extra teeth. These are called "Supernumerary Teeth"

Suppuration - Bacterial contamination of tissue exudate; pus

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T

TMD (or tmj disorder) - Temperomandibular disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw; pain or noise in front of the ear, where the TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) is located; problems with the TMJ can cause pain in the muscles of the face or difficulty in speach or eating

TMJ - An abbreviation for the "Temporomandibular Joint" The "Temporomandibular Joint" is the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull.

Tartar - Hardened plaque containing bacteria which adheres to the teeth. Also called "Calculus".

Temporomandibular Joint (T.M.J.) - Temporo (temporal bone), mandibular (lower jaw). This is the connecting hinge between the lower jaw and base of the skull

Third Molar - See Wisdom Tooth

Tightening your braces - A process which occurs every 3-6 weeks when you have braces. You go into the office and the dentist or asistant either adjusts the wires in your braces, or changes the wires

Tooth bud - Early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth

Tooth whitening - A chemical or laser process to lighten the color of teeth

Topical anesthetic - Ointment that produces mild anesthesia when applied to tissue surface

Torus - A bony elevation or protuberance of normal bone. Usually seen on the palate or on the tongue side of the lower ridge by the cuspid teeth

Tracing (cephalometric) - an overlay drawing traced over a cephalometric X-ray that shows specific structures and landmarks that provided a basis for orthodontic therapy

Transplant - Placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth

Trauma - Injury caused by external force, chemical, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment

Treatment Plan - A list of interventions (treatment choices) to correct dental problems and a cost estimate

Trench mouth - Gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue - See ANUG

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U

UAO - Upper Airway Obstruction

UCR - usual, customary and reasonable fees

Ultrasonic Cleaning - Cleaning that uses high frequency sound waves to remove tartar and stain from the teeth

Unerupted tooth - a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the dental arch

Uvula - the tissue that hangs down from the back of the soft palate

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V

Veneer - A porcelain facing which is bonded directly to a front tooth to change its shape or color, or to produce a new natural-looking smile..

Vertical dimension - arbitrary space between upper and lower jaws upon closure; may decrease over time due to wear, shifting or damage to the teeth

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W

Wax Try-in - The appointment in denture construction where the teeth are set in wax, and "try them in", and see how the finished product will look.

Whitening - A process which lightens the color of teeth, usually done at home with custom trays made by the dentist. Usually results can be achieved within a few weeks. See bleaching

Wisdom Tooth - The third molar, this is the eighth tooth from the center of mouth to the back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth are often impacted (obstructed from erupting) and have to be extracted; third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25 (when "wisdom is attained")

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X

Xerostomia - Dry mouth or decrease in the production of saliva

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