Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Silver Ag 35%
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ANAEROBIC BACTERIA - bacteria that do not need oxygen to grow; they are
generally associated with periodontal disease.
ANODONTIA - the developmental absence of teeth.
ANTIBIOTIC - substance produced by or derived from bacteria which is able to
inhibit or kill other bacteria.
ANTIMICROBIAL - destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
ANATOMICAL CROWN - the portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel.
ANTISCEPTIC - A chemical agent which can be applied to living tissues to
destroy germs.
ANESTHESIA - medication which relieves the sensation of pain.
ANNIVERSARY YEAR - begins on the day of the month that the patients'
insurance became effective.
ANOMALY - a deviation from the normal or expected outcome.
ANTAGONIST - a structure that opposes or counteracts another structure.
ANTERIOR - situated in front of.
ANTERIOR TEETH - the front teeth (incisors and cupids).
ANUG - Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis. An acute, painful condition
characterized by severe gingival redness, spontaneous bleeding, foul breath and
pain.
APEX - the pointed extremity of a structure.
APICAL FORAMEN - the opening at the end of the root of a tooth through which
the tooth receives its nerve and blood supply.
APPOSITION - the laying down of, or addition of.
ARCH - a curvature; both the maxillary and mandibular ridge form a horseshoe
shaped arch.
ARTICULATING PAPER - carbon paper; placed between the upper and lower
teeth to mark contact.
ARTICULATOR - a mechanical device used to replicate functional movements of
the jaw to casts.
ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS - a clause in an insurance policy that allows the
insured person to direct the carrier's payment to the dentist.
ASPIRATOR - The tube-like straw which the dentist place in your mouth for
suction.
ASYMMETRY/ SYMMETRY - To be esthetic, tooth Size, shape and gum contour
should be as close to identical from one side of the mouth to the other. Ideally,
the incisal edges of your teeth should follow the contour of the upper lip.
ATTACHMENT LEVEL - a numerical measure of the amount of attachment of the
periodontal ligament to a tooth; the number is generally determined by combining
a pocket depth measurement with a measurement of gingival recession.
Attachment level is considered one of the most important measures of
periodontal disease progress or treatment success
ATTRITION - the wearing away of tooth structure through normal use (ie.
chewing, biting, etc.).
AXON - the process that carries impulses away from the cell body of a nerve.
BENEFIT YEAR - generally begins on the month of the year that the employer
purchased the plan.
BICUSPIDS - or having two cusps. The first and second bicuspids; they are the
fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth, respectively. These are the
back teeth that are used for chewing.
BIFURCATION - having two branches, or dividing into two parts.
BILATERAL - both sides.
BIRTHDAY RULE - applies when a child is covered under both parent's plans;
the plan of the parent who's birthday (month and day, not year) falls earlier in the
calendar year is billed first (in cases of divorce or separation, other factors
pertain).
BITEWING - a single X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth's biting
surfaces on the same film.
adjacent tooth.
CONVEX - curving outward toward the viewer.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY - aesthetic improvement of the color and shape of teeth
performed by a general dentist.
CREST - a prominence or ridge.
CROSS CONTAMINATION - Passing disease indirectly from one patient to
another through the use of improper sterilization procedures.
CROWN - full coverage for a tooth (used when the tooth cannot be restored by a
filling).
CURETTAGE - the surgical scraping of bacteria from soft tissue. This is a
periodontal procedure and is usually performed one quadrant at a time.
CUSPID - the third tooth from the center of the mouth towards the back, also
known as canines.
CUSPS - elevated points on the chewing surfaces of back teeth (posterior
teeth).
CUSTOM TRAY - an individual tray; custom made to fit a patient's mouth.
DEBRIDEMENT - treatment of a bacterial infection by removing irritants
(bacteria, calculus) from the periodontal pocket so as to allow healing of
adjacent tissues.
DECALCIFICATION - The loss of calcium from your teeth, weakening the teeth
and making them more susceptible to decay
DECIDUOUS TEETH - baby teeth; teeth that exfoliate or shed.
DEDUCTIBLE - the amount paid by the patient before the carrier begins benefit
payments.
DEGLUTITION - swallowing.
DEMINERALIZATION - loss of mineral from tooth enamel just below the surface
in a carious lesion; usually appearing as a white area on the tooth surface.
DENDRITE - the process that conducts impulses toward the cell body of a nerve.
EXFOLIATE - to shed.
EXPLORER - a probe used to detect cavity growth.
EXTERNAL - on the outer surface.
EXTRACTION - the removal of teeth.
EXTRAORAL - Outside the mouth.
FACIAL - the surface next to the face; the outer surface of a tooth resting against
the cheeks or lips.
FEE SCHEDULE - a set amount paid by the insurance company regardless of
the doctor's fee.
FILTRUM - the dimple or indentation under the nose directly above the upper lip.
FISSURE - cleft-like grooves in the chewing surface of the back teeth.
FISTULA - an abnormal passage formed in the gum tissue through which an
abscessed tooth drains.
FLUORIDE - topical application of a gel or liquid that prevents decay.
FLUOROSIS - discoloration of the enamel due to excessive fluoride absorption
(greater than one 1 part per million) into the bloodstream, also called enamel
mottling.
FORAMEN - an opening in bone.
FORNEX - vault or arch shaped.
FOSSA - a shallow depression on the lingual (tongue) surfaces of some front
teeth.
FREE GINGIVA - the marginal part of the gingival (gums) that can be deflected
from the tooth surface; it forms a collar around the tooth.
FRENUM - a fold of mucous membrane that connects two parts.
FULL MOUTH X-RAYS - X-rays showing all the teeth. Includes 14 periapicals
and 4 bitewings, also known as a complete series.
FURCATION - an area where the root divides.
FURROW - a groove.
GALVANIC CURRENT - a current of electricity produced by chemical action
between two metals suspended in liquid.
GENDER RULE - when a child is covered under both parent's plans, the father's
plan is billed first (in cases of divorce or separation other factors must be
considered).
GENERAL ANESTHESIA - relieves the sensation of pain.
GENERAL DENTIST - primary care provider for patients in all age groups.
GERIATRIC DENTIST - general dentist who primarily treats senior citizens.
GINGIVA - the soft tissue surrounding teeth, also known as the gums.
GINGIVAL CREST - the prominent edge of occlusal or incisal gingiva.
GINGIVAL HYPERTROPHY - The abnormal enlargement of the gingiva
surrounding the teeth caused by poor oral hygiene or the use of certain
medications.
GINGIVECTOMY - the removal of soft tissue surrounding the tooth; typically
used in the treatment of periodontal disease.
GINGIVITIS - inflamed and swollen gum tissue most commonly caused by
plaque. If left untreated, may lead to periodontitis.
GOLDON PROPORTION - The guidelines which dentists use in determining the
most esthetic appearance of a particular tooth (teeth need to maintain a certain
height to width ratio to look their best.)
GROOVE - a long, narrow depression.
GUTTA PERCHA - material used in the filling of root canals.
HANDPIECE - the instrument used to hold and revolve burs in dental operations.
HEAT-STERILIZING - Use of an autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer to kill all potential
disease-causing agents that remain following patient treatment. Any instruments
that is not heat stable and cannot tolerate high temperatures should be
thoroughly cleaned and soaked in disinfectant chemicals.
HETERODONT - different types of teeth within the same dentition (ie. incisors,
canines, molars).
HISTO-DIFFERENTIATION - development into a specialized tissue.
HISTOLOGY - the study of tissues.
HOMODONT - the presence of only one type of tooth in the dentition.
HYPERPLASIA - over-growth of a part; an increase in the number of cells.
HYPERSENSITIVITY - a sharp, sudden painful reaction in teeth when exposed
to hot, cold, chemical, mechanical or osmotic (sweet or salt) stimuli.
IDEAL OCCLUSION - a complete harmonious relationship of the teeth and
masticatory system.
IMMEDIATE DENTURE - a complete or partial denture made before the natural
teeth are extracted.
IMPACTION - an unerupted or partially erupted tooth that will not fully erupt into
the mouth because of an obstruction.
IMPLANT - a post that is implanted into bone. A crown, bridge, or denture is then
placed over the implant to restore function and esthetics.
IMPRESSION TRAY - formed in the general shape of the mouth, used for taking
impressions.
INCENTIVE PROGRAM - a dental plan where the percentage of benefits
increase each year as the patient receives regular, annual dental care
(preventive treatment). If the patient fails to go to the dentist each year, the
percentage drops back to where it started.
INCISORS - the central and lateral incisors; the first and second teeth from the
midline of the mouth.
INLAY - a gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made filling cemented into the
tooth. If it covers the tips of the teeth, it is called an onlay.
INCISAL EDGE - the cutting edge, ridge, or surface of anterior teeth.
INSERTION - the movable end of a muscle.
INTERCUSPATION - interlocking; a cusp-to-fossa relationship of the maxillary to
mandibular teeth.
MASTICATION - chewing.
MASTICATORY SYSTEM - the teeth and surrounding structures: jaws,
temporomandibular joint, muscles, lips, and tongue.
MAXILLAE - the upper jaw.
MEDIAL - relating to the middle or medial plane.
MENTAL - relating to the chin.
MERCURY - a metal, component of amalgam fillings.
MESIAL - is the surface of the tooth nearest the midline of the dental arch.
MICRO ABRASION - a drill-free technique using an instrument resembling a tiny
sand blaster that delivers tiny aluminum oxide particles to the surface of teeth.
MIDLINE - imaginary line through the middle of an object which divides it into two
equal parts.
MIXED DENTITION- The developmental stage when both deciduous and
permanent teeth are present.
MOLAR - the first, second and third molars; these are the sixth, seventh and
eighth teeth from the center of the mouth, respectively.
MOUTHGUARD - a soft-fitted device which protects teeth against impact or
injury.
MUCOSA - the thin, outer pink or red membrane lining the inside of the oral
cavity.
NASAL - relating to the nose.
NEURON - a nerve cell.
NEOPLASM - a proliferation of cells interfering with surrounding tissues; refers to
cancer.
NIGHTGUARD - a removable acrylic appliance to minimize the effects of grinding
(bruxism) and TMJ associated problems.
OBLIQUE RIDGE - a linear elevation that transverses a surface.
mechanical vibrations.
VENTRAL - the underside, used when speaking of the tongue; thus the ventral
surface of the tongue is the underside of the tongue.
VERMILION - red.
VIRGIN TEETH - teeth that are free from decay or restorations.
WAIVER OF DEDUCTIBLE - under some policies certain procedures are
excluded from the deductible.
WISDOM TOOTH - the third molar; the eighth tooth from the center of mouth.
XEROSTOMIA - dryness of the mouth.