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Myton Park Dental Centre - Dentistry Terms Category: Health and Medicine > Dental Glossary Date & country: 13/10/2008, UK Words: 158

X-Ray
Radiograph.

Xerostomia
Decreased salivary secretion that produces a dry and sometimes burning sensation of the oral mucosa and/or cervical caries.

Torus
A bony elevation or protuberance of bone.

Veneer
In the construction of crowns or pontics, a layer of tooth-colored material, usually, but not limited to, composite, porcelain, ceramic or acrylic resin, attached to the surface by direct fusion, cementation, or mechanical retention; also refers to a restoration that is luted to the ...

Temporomandibular (TMJ)
The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction.

Suture
Stitch used to repair incision or wound.

Temporary Removable Denture
An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of time.

Submandibular Glands
Walnut-sized major salivary glands located beneath the tongue.

Stomatitis
Inflammation of the membranes in the mouth.

Sjogren`s Syndrome
An autoimmune disorder (mostly affecting older women) that is characterized by partial or complete cessation of saliva and tears. It can be associated with rheumatic disease, such as rheumatic arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.

Splint
A device used to support, protect, or immobilize oral structures that have been loosened, replanted, fractured or traumatized. Also refers to devices used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Sealants
Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel and causing caries.

Scaling
Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.

Root Caries
Tooth decay that forms on the roots.

Root Planing
A procedure designed to remove microbial flora, bacterial toxins, calculus, and diseased cementum or dentin on the root surfaces and in the pocket.

Root Canal
The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.

Root Canal Therapy
The treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.

Root Canal
Space inside the root portion of a tooth containing pulp tissue.

Retainer
Appliance to stabilize teeth following orthodontic

Resorb
To dissolve.

Removable Partial Denture
A removable partial denture (removable bridge) is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth that can be removed by the patient.

Removable Appliance
Removable orthodontic appliances used to effect simple tipping movements of one tooth or several.

Rebase
To replace the denture base.

Reline
To resurface the side of the denture that is in contact with the soft tissues of the mouth to make it fit more securely.

Ranula
A cyst that can develop under the tongue on the floor of the mouth.

Regional Anesthesia
A term used for local anesthesia. See Local Anesthesia.

Pulpectomy
Complete removal of vital and non vital pulp tissue from the root canal space.

Radiograph
An image produced by projecting radiation, as x-rays, on photographic film. Commonly called x-ray.

Pulp Cavity
The space within a tooth which contains the pulp.

Pulp
Connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth.

Prosthesis
Artificial replacement of any part of the body.

Prosthodontis
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes.

Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains.

Premedication
The use of medications prior to dental procedures.

Posterior
Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth (distal to the canines): maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars.

Precision Attachment
Interlocking device, one component of which is fixed to an abutment or abutments and the other is integrated into a fixed or removable prosthesis in order to stabilize and/or retain it.

Post
An elongated projection fitted and cemented within the prepared root canal, serving to strengthen and retain restorative material and/or a crown restoration.

Plaque
A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives.

Periodontitis
Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue of the supporting or surrounding structure of teeth with loss of attachment.

Periodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Periodontal Pocket
Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a feature of periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues and/or periodontal membrane of the teeth, resulting in an abnormally deep gingival sulcus, possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss of supporting alveolar bone.

Periodontal
Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Periodontal Abscess
An infection in the gum pocket that can destroy hard and soft tissues.

Periapical X-Ray
An x-ray that shows several entire teeth (crowns and roots) and includes a small amount of the periapical bone (surrounding the root tips).

Pedodontist
See Pediatric Dentist.

Pellicle
A thin nonbacterial film from saliva that covers the teeth.

Pediatric Dentist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to treatment of children from birth through adolescence; formerly known as a pedodontist.

Patient
An individual who has established a professional relationship with a dentist for the delivery of dental health care For matters relating to communication of information and consent, this term includes the patient`s parent, caretaker, guardian, or other individual as appropriate...

Palate
The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities.

Palliative
Action that relieves pain but is not curative.

Partial Denture
Usually refers to a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth; see Fixed Partial Denture or Removable Partial Denture.

Overdenture
A removable prosthetic device that overlies and may be supported by retained tooth roots or implants.

Osteoplasty
Surgical procedure that modifies the configuration of bone.

Osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone.

Osseointegration
The process by which bone heals around an implant.

Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct facial imbalances caused by abnormalities of the jaw bones.

Orthodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the interception and treatment of malocclusion of the teeth and their surrounding structures.

Oral Mucosa
The pink-red tissues that line the mouth.

Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.

Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, deformities, defects and esthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Onlay
An indirect restoration made outside the oral cavity that overlays a cusp or cusps of the tooth, which is then luted to the tooth.

Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.

Occlusal
Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth or contacting surfaces of opposing teeth or opposing occlusion rims.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A disorder in which breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep.

Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities of the body; also called `mucosa.”

Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation
A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient`s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) by a route other than IV; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate monitoring.

Mouthguard
Device that fits over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth, mouth or lips. May also refer to a device that prevents tooth grinding or treats temporomandibular disorders.

Molar
Teeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on either side of the jaw; grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces.

Maxilla
The upper jaw.

Maryland Bridge
A type of fixed partial denture not requiring crowns. The prosthesis is bonded to the natural teeth to secure it.

Malignant
Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis.

Malocclusion
Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.

Maintenance, Periodontal
Therapy for preserving the state of health of the periodontium.

Local Anesthesia
The loss of pain sensation over a specific area of the anatomy without loss of consciousness.

Labial
Pertaining to or around the lip.

Lesion
An injury or wound; area of diseased tissue.

Lingual
Pertaining to or around the tongue; surface of the tooth directed toward the tongue; opposite of facial.

Jaw
A common name for either the maxilla or the mandible.

Intravenous Sedation
Medications used intravenously (through the bloodstream) to produce varying levels of sedation.

Interproximal
Between the teeth.

Intraoral
Inside the mouth.

Inlay
An indirect intracoronal restoration; a dental restoration made outside of the oral cavity to correspond to the form of the prepared cavity, which is then luted into the tooth.

Implant
Material inserted or grafted into tissue.

Implantation, Tooth
Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into an alveolus.

Impacted Tooth
An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely.

Immediate Denture
Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal of remaining natural teeth.

Imaging, Diagnostic
This would include, but is not limited to, CAT scans, MRIs, photographs, radiographs, etc.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR)
Procedure during flap surgery for periodontal disease in which a membrane is inserted between the alveolar bone and the bone graft to encourage the gum tissues to grow onto the alveolar bone.

Graft
A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency.

Gingivoplasty
Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.

Gingivectomy
The excision or removal of gingiva.

Gingival Hyperplasia
An overgrowth of gingival tissues.

Gingivitis
Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue.

Gingiva
Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted.

General Anesthesia
A deep level of sedation in which patients lose consciousness, feel no pain, and have no memory of what is taking place around them.

General Anesthesia
A controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including loss of ability to independently maintain airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method or combination thereof;

Full-Mouth X-Rays
A combination of 14 or more periapical and 4 bitewing films of the back teeth. This series of x-rays reveals all the teeth (their crowns and roots) and the alveolar bone around them.

Fracture
The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.