Good links:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S| T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
-A-
- Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease.
- Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings.
- Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures.
- Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth.
- Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs.
- Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth.
- Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth.
-B-
- Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth.
- Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage.
- Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth.
- Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping.
-C-
- Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
- Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
- Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth.
- Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay.
- Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth.
- Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal.
- Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines.
-D-
- Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth.
- Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth."
- Dental Implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.
- Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.
-E-
- Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line.
- Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth).
- Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth.
-F-
- Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity.
- Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay.
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G-
- Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
- Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
-I-
- Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction.
- Incisal - related to incisors (see below).
- Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth.
- Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth.
- Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns.
-N-
- Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth. Often used to treat TMJ.
-P-
- Pedontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
- Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.
- Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
- Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth.
- Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.
- Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
-R-
- Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line.
- Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed.
-S-
- Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children.
- Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth.
- Six-Year Molar - commonly known as "the first molar."
- Sleep Apnea - a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night.
-T-
- Tartar - see calculus.
- TMJ Syndrome - a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw. Often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.
- Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth.
- Twelve-Year Molar - commonly known as "the second molar."
-V-
- Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth.
