A

Amalgam: Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth.

Anaesthesia: Medications used to relieve pain.

Anterior teeth: Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids.

Arch: The upper or lower jaw.

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B

Baby bottle tooth decay: Caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s mouth.

Bicuspids: Back teeth used for chewing.

Bitewings: X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities.

Bonding: Application of tooth-coloured resin materials to the surface of the teeth.

Bridge: A fixed or removable appliance that replaces lost teeth.

Bruxism: Teeth grinding.

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C

Calculus: A sticky substance (also called tartar) that has hardened.

Canal: The narrow chamber inside the tooth’s root.

Canines: Also called cuspids.

Canker sore: One that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. A canker sore is usually light-coloured at its base and can have a red exterior border.

Caries: Another term for decay, which causes cavities.

Cold sore: Usually occurs on the outside of the mouth, usually on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it is usually painful and filled with fluid.

Composite filling: Tooth coloured restorations, also known as resin fillings.

Composite resin: A tooth-coloured resin combined with silica or porcelain and used as a restoration material.

Contouring: The process of reshaping teeth.

Crown: An artificial cover that is placed on the top of a tooth following restoration.

Cusps: The pointed parts on top of the back teeth’s chewing surface.

Cuspids: Front teeth that typically have a protruding edge.

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D

Dentin: The tooth layer underneath the enamel.

Denture: A removable set of teeth.

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E

Endodontics: A form of dentistry that addresses problems affecting the tooth’s root or nerve.

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F

Fluoride: A naturally occurring substance added to water, toothpastes and some rinses and used for strengthening the tooth’s enamel.

Fluorosis: A harmless over-exposure to fluoride and resulting sometimes in tooth discolouration.

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G

Gingiva: Another word for gum tissue.

Gingivitis: A minor disease of the gums caused by plaque.

Gum disease: An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal disease.

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I

Impacted teeth: A condition in which a tooth fails to erupt or only partially erupts.

Implant: A permanent appliance used to replace a missing tooth.

Incisor: Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the centre or on the sides near the front.

Inlay: An artificial filling made of various materials, including porcelain, resin or gold.

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L

Laminate veneer: A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

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M

Malocclusion: Bad bite relationship.

Mandible: The lower jaw.

Maxilla: The upper jaw.

Molar: Usually the largest teeth, near the rear of the mouth. Molars have large chewing surfaces.

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N

Neuromuscular Dentistry: The aches and pains felt in around the neck and head that are associated with your teeth and jaw.

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O

Onlay: A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a tooth.

Orthodontics: A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw alignment.

Overdenture: A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number of natural teeth or implants.

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P

Palate: Roof of the mouth.

Partial denture: A removable appliance that replaces teeth. Also called a bridge.

Pedodontics: A field of dentistry that deals with children’s teeth.

Perio pocket: An opening formed by receding gums.

Periodontal disease: Infection of the gum tissues. Also called gum disease.

Periodontist: A dentist who treats diseases of the gums.

Permanent teeth: The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also called adult teeth.

Plaque: A sticky, colourless substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing.

Posterior teeth: The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back teeth.

Primary teeth: A person’s first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth.

Prophylaxis: The act of cleaning the teeth.

Prosthodontics: The field of dentistry that deals with artificial dental appliances.

Pulp: The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves and connective tissue.

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R

Receding gum: A condition in which the gums separate from the tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooth’s enamel and surrounding bone.

Resin filling: An artificial filling used to restore teeth. Also called a composite filling.

Root canal: A procedure in which a tooth’s nerve is removed and an inner canal cleansed and later filled.

Root planning: Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy build-up of tartar below the gum line.

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S

Sealant: A synthetic material placed on the tooth’s surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces.

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T

TMJ: Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related to the jaw joint just in front of the ear.

Tartar: A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks to the tooth’s surface.

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V

Veneer: A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth.

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W

Whitening: A process that employs special bleaching agents for restoring the colour of teeth.

Wisdom tooth: Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence.