Dental terminology #2

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Tooth wear caused by improper brushing or excessively forceful use of toothpicks or floss

Question 2

Abutment

Answer 2

Tooth or teeth on either side of a missing tooth that supports a fixed bridge or removable partial

Question 3

Acrylic resin

Answer 3

a plastic widely used in dentistry

Question 4

air/mircro abrasion

Answer 4

A drill-free technique that blasts the tooth surface with air and an abrasive. The relatively new technology may avoid the need for an anesthetic and can be used to remove some tooth decay, old composite restorations and superficial stains, and discolorations, and prepare a tooth surface for bonding or sealants.

Question 5

Alveolar bone

Answer 5

the bone surrounding the root of the tooth, anchoring it in place; loss of this bone is a possible sign of periodontal (gum) disease

Question 6

amalgam

Answer 6

a common filling material used to repair cavities. Silver fillings contain mercury in combination with silver, tin, copper, and sometimes zinc

Question 7

anaerobic bacteria

Answer 7

bacteria that do not need oxygen to grow; they are generally associated with periodontal disease

Question 8

analgesia

Answer 8

a state of pain relief; an agent for lessening pain

Question 9

antibiotic

Answer 9

a drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria

Question 10

antiseptic

Answer 10

a chemical agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs

Question 11

apex

Answer 11

tip of the root of a tooth

Question 12

baby bottle tooth decay

Answer 12

decay in infants and children, most often affecting the upper front teeth, caused by liquids given and left clinging to the teeth for long periods

Question 13

biofeedback

Answer 13

a relaxation technique that involves learning how to better cope with pain and stress by altering behavior, thoughts, and feelings

Question 14

biopsy

Answer 14

removal of a small piece of tissue for diagnostic examination

Question 15

bleaching

Answer 15

chemical treatment of natural teeth that uses peroxide to produce the whitening effect

Question 16

bone resorption

Answer 16

decrease in the amount of bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum) disease

Question 17

bruxism

Answer 17

grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly during sleep

Question 18

calcium

Answer 18

an element needed for the development of healthy teeth, bones, and nerves

Question 19

calculus

Answer 19

hard, calcium-like deposits that form on teeth due to inadequate plaque control, often stained yellow or brown (aka tar tar)

Question 20

canker sore

Answer 20

sores or small shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth and often make eating and talking uncomfortable

Question 21

cementum

Answer 21

hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth

Question 22

cleft lip

Answer 22

a physical split or separation of the two sides of the upper lip that appears as a narrow opening or gap in the skin of the upper lip

Question 23

cleft palate

Answer 23

a split or opening in the roof of the mouth

Question 24

composite resin filling

Answer 24

tooth-colored restorative material composed of plastic with small glass or ceramic particles; usually “cured” or hardened with filtered light or chemical catalyst

Question 25

conventional denture

Answer 25

a denture that is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed

Question 26

cusps

Answer 26

the high points on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth

Question 27

cyst

Answer 27

an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid or a semisolid material

Question 28

demineralization

Answer 28

loss of mineral from tooth enamel just below the surface in a carious lesion; usually appears as a white area on the tooth surface

Question 29

fistula

Answer 29

channel emanating pus from an infection site; a gum boil

Question 30

fluoride

Answer 30

a mineral that helps strengthen teeth enamel making teeth less susceptible to decay

Question 31

fluorosis

Answer 31

discoloration of the enamel due to too much fluoride ingestion into the bloodstream also called enamel mottling

Question 32

gum recession

Answer 32

exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, erosion, periodontal disease, or surgery

Question 33

gutta percha

Answer 33

the material used in the filling of root canals

Question 34

halitosis

Answer 34

bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin

Question 35

immediate denture

Answer 35

a complete or partial denture that is made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the natural teeth are removed

Question 36

impression

Answer 36

mold made of the teeth and soft tissues

Question 37

incision and drainage

Answer 37

surgical incision of an abscess to drain pus

Question 38

inlay

Answer 38

similar to a filling but made outside the mouth and then cemented or bonded in

Question 39

leukoplakia

Answer 39

a white or gray patch that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek. It is the mouth's reaction to chronic irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth

Question 40

mercury

Answer 40

a metal component of amalgam fillings

Question 41

muscle relaxant

Answer 41

a type of medication often prescribed to reduce muscle contractions, thus relieving pain

Question 42

onlay

Answer 42

a type of restoration (filling) made of metal, porcelain, or acrylic that is more extensive than an inlay in that it covers one or more cusps. Onlays are sometimes called partial crowns

Question 43

overbite

Answer 43

an excessive protrusion of the upper jaw resulting in a vertical overlap of the front teeth

Question 44

overjet

Answer 44

an excessive protrusion of the upper jaw resulting in a horizontal overlap of the front teeth

Question 45

overdenture

Answer 45

a denture that fits over residual roots or dental implants

Question 46

partial denture

Answer 46

a removable appliance that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw

Question 47

pathology

Answer 47

study of disease

Question 48

periodontal ligament

Answer 48

the connective tissue that surrounds the tooth (specifically covering the cementum) and connects the tooth to the jawbone, holding it in place

Question 49

porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown

Answer 49

restoration with metal coping (for the strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance)

Question 50

post

Answer 50

thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a cap that replaces lost tooth structure

Question 51

pregnancy gingivitis

Answer 51

gingivitis that develops during pregnancy. the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy especially the increased level of progesterone may make it easier for certain gingivitis-causing bacteria to grow and make gum tissue more sensitive to plaque and exaggerate the body's response to the toxins (poisons) that result from plaque

Question 52

pregnancy tumors

Answer 52

an extreme inflammatory reaction to a local irritation (such as food particles or plaque) that occurs in up to 10% of pregnant women and often in women who also have pregnancy gingivitis. pregnancy tumors appear on inflamed gum tissue as large lumps with deep red pinpoint markings on it, usually near the upper gum line. the red lump glistens, may bleed and crust over, and can make eating and speaking difficult and cause discomfort.

Question 53

recontouring

Answer 53

a procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth's length, shape, or surface

Question 54

remineralization

Answer 54

redeposition or replacement of the tooth's minerals into a demineralized (previously decayed) lesion. This reverses the decay process and is enhanced by the presence of topical fluoride

Question 55

saliva

Answer 55

clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles