| Amalgam |
silver/mercury alloy used to fill cavities | |
| Bleaching |
cosmetic whitening of teeth using peroxide | |
| Caries |
cavities, tooth decay | |
| Carcinogenic |
cancer-causing |
| Cariogenic |
decay-causing |
| Composites |
tooth-colored restorative materials | |
| Cosmetic dentistry |
aesthetic improvement of the color and shape of teeth performed by a general dentist | |
| Edentulous |
having lost most or all of the natural teeth |
| Endodontist |
treats oral conditions that arise as a result of disease or injury of the dental pulp of the tooth, such as a root canal |
| General dentist |
primary care provider for patients in all age groups who take responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services to meet patients' oral health needs | |
| Geriatric dentist |
general dentist who primarily treats senior citizens |
| Gingivitis |
reversible inflammation of gum tissue not including the bone |
| Malocclusion |
misalignment of teeth and or jaws |
| Microair abrasion |
a drill-free technique using an instrument resembling a tiny sand blaster that delivers tiny aluminum oxide particles to the surface, where they cut away the decayed area |
| Mouthguards |
an appliance used to protect teeth from injury | |
| Occlusal surface |
the chewing surface of the tooth |
| Oral and maxillofacial surgeon |
treats and surgically corrects diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth and jaws |
| Oral pathologist |
examines oral tissues for evidence of suspected abnormalities such as cancer. |
| Orthodontics |
a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth and their correction, as by means of braces and retainer | |
| Orthodontist |
designs and applies corrective and supportive appliances, braces, to realign crooked teeth |
| Pediatric dentist |
provides treatment and care for children from birth through adolescence |
| Periodontal disease |
inflammation and irritation of the gums which, if left untreated, can cause the jawbone and teeth to deteriorate and fall out | |
| Periodontist |
diagnoses and treats diseases of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth, especially periodontal disease |
| Plaque |
bacterial colonies which have mineralized and attack teeth, causing dental decay |
| Porcelain veneers |
ultra-thin shells of ceramic material bonded to the front of the tooth | |
| Prophylaxis |
professional cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or hygienist |
| Prosthodontist |
constructs artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and other oral structures such as dentures |
| Public health dentist |
concerned with the dental health needs of entire communities, and can design and administer large-scale prevention and dental care programs by compiling and analyzing statistics |
| Radiosurgery |
surgery technique that uses radio waves to produce a pressureless, bloodless incision; can also be used to heat bleaching agents |
| Resin |
plastic material used in bonding, restorative, and replacement procedures |
| Restorative dentistry |
process of restoring missing, damaged or diseased teeth to normal form and function, performed by general dentists |
| Sealant |
plastic coating used to protect teeth from decay | |
| Special patient |
person with a disability who requires particular dental care needs |
| Third molars |
wisdom teeth | |
| TMD |
temporomandibular disorder; problems relating to your temporomandibular joint which include locking of the jaw, frequent headaches, sore jaw muscles, and painful clicking of the jaw | |
| TMJ |
temporomandibular joint |
