Abrasion:
Loss of tooth structure caused by a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, or Bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth).
Abscess:
An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone
Abutment:
tooth or teeth that support a fixed or removable bridge
Adhesive Dentistry:
Contemporary term for dental restorations that involve "bonding" of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth
Air Abrasion:
Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the need for anesthetic
Allergy:
Unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug
Alveolar bone:
The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth
Amalgam:
A most common filling material, also known as "silver fillings,"containing mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings
Analgesia:
A state of pain relief; an agent lessening pain
Anesthesia:
Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is an example of local anesthesia; general anesthesia produces partial or complete unconsciousness
Anterior teeth:
The six upper or six lower front teeth
Antibiotic:
A drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria
ANUG:
An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, aggravated by stress and/or smoking
Apex:
The tip of the root of a tooth
Apicoectomy:
Surgical removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth
Arch:
Describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth
Attrition:
Loss of structure due to natural wear