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| Abscess
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An area of
swelling surrounding an infection caused by bacteria around
a tooth or jaw problem.
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| Aerobic bacteria
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Aerobic bacteria grow in oxygen
rich environments, and in the oral cavity the bacteria are found
outside the sulcus.
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| Alveolar
bone
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The bone
which surrounds the root of the tooth, holding it in place.
Loss of this bone is typically associated with severe periodontal
disease.
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| Amalgam
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Dental material used to repair
carious lesions. Commonly referred to as "Silver fillings",
usually consists of a mixture of Silver, copper, tin and sometimes
zinc particles combined with mercury.
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| Anaerobic
bacteria
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Anaerobic
bacteria are those bacteria which thrive in a non-oxygenated
environment, such as that found in periodontal pockets, and
are generally associated with periodontal disease.
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| Anterior teeth
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These are the six teeth located
in the front of the mouth (to the canines), and are used as
cutting (biting) surfaces rather than chewing surfaces.
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| Antibiotic
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Substance
produced by or derived from bacteria which is able to inhibit
or kill other bacteria, i.e. penicillin.
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| Antimicrobial
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Destroying or inhibiting the
growth of bacteria.
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| ANUG
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Acute Necrotizing
Ulcerative Gingivitis. Acute, painful condition occurring primarily
in the anterior teeth, characterized by severe gingival redness,
heavy plaque, spontaneous bleeding, foul breath and pain.
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| Appliance
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Any removable dental restoration
or orthodontic device.
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| Attachment
level
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This is numerical
measure of the attachment of periodontal ligament, which is
determined generally 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.
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| Bactericidal
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Refers to
an antimicrobial's ability to kill bacteria.
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| Bacteriostatic
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Ability of an antimicrobial
to control or inhibit bacterial growth.
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| Buccal
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This is the
technical term for the cheek, and is also used to refer to the
cheek side of tooth surfaces. Technically, this term is used
to describe the cheek surfaces of the posterior teeth, but is
also used to describe the cheek surfaces of anterior teeth as
well.
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| Calculus
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A tenacious,
hardened material formed by mineralization (calcification) of
dental plaque.
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| Cannula
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A blunt-ended needle used for
in-office procedures, resembling a periodontal probe, usually
attached to an oral irrigation device to deliver an antimicrobial
into a sulcus or periodontal pocket.
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| Caries
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The technical
term for cavities or tooth decay.
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| Cavity
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The space inside a tooth that
remains once decay is removed.
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| Cementoenamel
junction
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Abbreviated
as "CEJ", this is the point at which the tooth and
root come together.
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| Cementum
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Located at the root of the
tooth, cementum serves as the anchor point for the ligaments
that join the tooth to the boney tooth socket. It is the softest
of the tooth structures.
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| Cheek
pouch
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The area
of the mouth inside the cheek.
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| Chemotherapeutic
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An agent of a chemical nature
which exerts an antimicrobial effect.
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| Crown
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Portion of
tooth covered by enamel; also refers to a dental restoration
shaped like the tooth it covers.
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| Curettage
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The removal of damaged or diseased
tissue from the inside of a periodontal pocket.
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| Darkfield
microscopy
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Used primarily
as a patient education tool, this involves examination of a
plaque sample under a polarized light microscope. The shape
and movement of the plaque bacteria are characterized.
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| Debridement
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Treatment of bacterial infection
by removing irritants (bacteria, calculus) from the periodontal
pocket so as to allow healing of the adjacent tissues.
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| Deciduous
teeth
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Baby teeth.
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| Demineralization
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A loss of mineral from tooth
enamel just below the surface in a carious lesion. May appear
as a small white area on the tooth surface.
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| Dental
resin
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A dental
material applied to the tooth which is used in cases of severe
dentinal hypersensitivity. Typically not used unless all other
treatment attempts have failed.
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| Dental varnish
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A hypersensitivity treatment
which sometimes contains sodium fluoride, varnishes are applied
to the tooth surface, covering the outer surface of dentin and
thus blocking transmission of painful stimuli to the pulp.
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| Dentinal
tubules
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Microscopic
canals that run from the outside of the dentin to the nerve
inside the tooth.
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| Dentin
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This is the main tissue that
forms the shape of the tooth. Dentin is the material which exists
between the pulp and the enamel, and comprised of a series of
dentinal tubules stacked on top of each other.
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| Desensitization
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Blocking
the pain stimulus that cause dentinal hypersensitivity.
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| Desquamation
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A peeling of the tissue of
the gingiva. In cases of desquamative gingivitis, the tissues
may appear smooth and shiny, with patches of bright red and
gray. Surface tissue may peel away, exposing a raw, bleeding
and extremely painful surface.
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| Dietary
sugar
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Sugar occuring
in your diet, including sugar found in sweets, fruits and processed
foods.
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| Distal
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Referring to the tooth surfaces
that face away from the midline of the mouth.
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| Dorsal
surface
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The top surface,
typically used when speaking of the tongue, i.e. the dorsal
surface of the tongue.
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| Edema
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Swelling
that occurs when fluid accumulates in the gingival tissues.
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| Enamel
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Enamel is the hard, mineralized,
white material which covers the outside of the tooth.
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| Endotoxins
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Endotoxins
are a poisonous substance released from bacteria when it dies,
and can cause tissue destruction directly or trigger an immune
response which caused tissue breakdown.
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| Enzyme
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A protein in the body that
triggers the body's metabolism.
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| Eruption
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When teeth
first peek through gums.
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| Explorer
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A probe used to detect cavity
growth.
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| Facial
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Describes
the surfaces of the anterior teeth facing the lips.
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| Fissures
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Cleft-like grooves in the chewing
surface of the back teeth.
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| Fluoride
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A chemical
compound that helps strengthen teeth as well as reduce tooth
decay and sensitivity.
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| Fluorosis
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Discoloration of the enamel
due to too much fluoride ingestion (greater than one (1) part
per million) systemically into the bloodstream, also called
enamel mottling.
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| Free gingiva
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The marginal
part of the gingival (gums) that can be deflected from the tooth
surface. The free gingiva forms a collar around the tooth.
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| Gingival
crevicular fluid
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Abbreviated
as "GCF", this is the clear fluid which continually
flushes out the sulcus. In a state of health, there is little
gingival crevicular fluid; however as inflammation increases,
the amount of GCF increases also.
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| Gingival margin
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Area of gingiva closest to
the tooth surface, commonly referred to as the "gumline"
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| Gingival
recession
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The condition
which exists when the gingival margin has receded towards the
root from the cementoenamel junction (the area where the tooth
and root meet).
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| Gingiva
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The dense tissue surrounding
the teeth and covering the alveolar bone, commonly referred
to as "gums".
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| Gingivitis
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Gingivitis
generally refers to an inflammation of the gingiva (gums), and
ranges in classification from mild to severe. Gingivitis is
associated with redness, edema (swelling), bleeding, and tenderness
of the gingiva.
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| Gum line
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Space between tooth (including
root) and gum tissue.
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| Hard palate
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The bony
front portion of the roof of the mouth.
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| Hyperplasia
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Overgrowth of the gingival
tissues. This can continue until a large portion of the teeth
is covered by gingival tissue.
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| Hypersensitivity
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A sharp,
sudden painful reaction when the teeth are exposed to hot, cold,
chemical, mechanical or osmotic (sweet or salt) stimuli.
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| Immune
response
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The body's
natural defense against bacterial assault, the immune response
can also destroy alveolar bone in its attempt to destroy bacteria.
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| Implants
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A metal rod that is screwed
into the jaw where teeth are missing. An artificial tooth is
then fitted over the implant to replace missing teeth.
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| Incisal
edges
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Refers to
the biting edges of the anterior teeth.
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| Instrumentation
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The term used to describe the
use of hand held instruments during a debridement procedure
in the dental office.
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| Interdental
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Between the
teeth.
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| Iontophoresis
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The process of introducing
a drug through the dental enamel by use of a direct electrical
current. Used in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.
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| Irrigation
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Mechanical
method of flushing supra- and subgingival areas with fluid to
disrupt debris and plaque.
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| Labial
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Referring
to the surfaces of the anterior teeth that oppose the inner
surface of the lip.
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| Lingual
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Refers to the inside surface
of the tooth closest to the tongue.
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| Maintenance
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Regularly
scheduled dental visits designed to maintain the health of the
patient. Maintenance visits and therapy are based on the status
of the patients oral health.
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| Malocclusion
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Refers to abnormal or malposition
relationships of the maxillary teeth to the mandibular teeth.
Correction of malocclusion involves orthodontic treatment.
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| Mandible
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The mandible
is the bone that forms the lower jaw. This the largest and only
freely-movable bone of the face.
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| Maxilla
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The upper jaw, which forms
the upper portion of the mouth. The maxilla consists of two
bones joined together at the midline of the face.
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| MBC
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The minimum
bacterial concentration (MBC) of an antimicrobial is the concentration
required to kill an organism.
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| Mesial
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Referring to the tooth surfaces
that face towards the midline of the mouth.
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| MIC
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Minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) refers to the bacteriostatic properties
of an antimicrobial, meaning the concentration of an antimicrobial
required to inhibit, or control the growth of an organism.
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| Molars
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Large, broad, multi-cusped
teeth at the back of the mouth.
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| Mouthguard
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A soft fitted
device which protects teeth against impact or injury.
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| Mucosa
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The thin, outer pink or red
membrane lining the inside of the oral cavity.
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| Neoplasm
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Refers to
oral cancer.
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| Occlusal
trauma
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Occurs when
excessive forces are placed on a normal dentition, i.e. grinding
and clenching of teeth. If left uncontrolled, occlusal trauma
may result in rapid attachment loss and bone loss.
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| Occlusal
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The term identifies the biting
surface of the posterior teeth.
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| Occlusion
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Refers to
the contact between maxillary and mandibular teeth in all mandibular
positions and movement.
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| Orthodontics
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An area of dentistry concerned
with the correction of malocclusion and the restoration of teeth
to proper functioning.
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| Osmotic
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Referring
to dentinal hypersensitivity, osmotic refers to the tooth's
hypersensitive response to sugars or salts.
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| Palatal
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The palatal
area is found on the roof of the mouth.
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| Papilla
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Refers to the "v"
shaped gum tissue between individual teeth.
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| Pellicle
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The first
step in plaque formation, the pellicle is a clear, thin covering
containing proteins and lipids (fats) found in saliva. Pellicle
is formed within seconds after a tooth surface is cleaned.
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| Periapical abscess
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Infection of the pulp of the
tooth and tissues surrounding the base of the tooth.
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| Periocoronitis
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Infection
of the tissue overlying a partially erupted tooth. Treatment
involves keeping this tissue clean and free of bacteria.
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| Periodontal abscess
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Acute infection of the gingival
tissues surrounding an individual tooth, typically involving
bone loss, pain, bleeding, severe redness and swelling of the
affected area.
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| Periodontal
disease
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Occurs when
anaerobic bacteria reside in the periodontal pocket, leading
to tissue destruction. The pocket increases in depth and there
is a loss of the tissue's ability to support the tooth in the
alveolar bone.
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| Periodontal ligament
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The fibers which suspend the
tooth in the boney socket. The periodontal ligament is attached
at one end to the cementum, and at the other end to the alveolar
bone.
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| Periodontal
probe
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An instrument
used to measure pocket depth.
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| Periodontal
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Of or pertaining to the tissue
and bone that support teeth.
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| Periodontitis
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A form of
periodontal disease affecting adults resulting in destruction
of alveolar bone.
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| Plaque attached
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Bacterial plaque which is attached
to hard tooth surfaces and can be removed only by mechanical
means (i.e. instrumentation, oral hygiene aids such as toothbrushes,
floss, etc,).
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| Plaque
loosely adherent
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Free floating
bacterial plaque found on the surface of supragingival and subgingival
plaque; contains most of the disease causing bacteria, and can
easily be flushed from subgingival area with irrigation.
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| Polishing
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A dental procedure that removes
stain, plaque and acquired pellicle by using an abrasive polishing
paste in a rubber cup attached to a slow-speed hand piece or
air-powder polisher.
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| Posterior
teeth
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This refers
to the premolar and molar teeth. The posterior teeth are those
used for grinding food.
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| Premolars
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Two-cusped teeth immediately
in front of molars.
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| Prophylaxis
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Preventive
dental office procedure involving removal of hard and soft deposits
from the exposed surfaces of the dentition.
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| Proximal
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Proximal surfaces are the surfaces
of adjacent teeth.
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| Pulp
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Pulp is the
living part of the tooth, located inside the dentin. Pulp contains
the nerve tissue and blood vessels which supply nutrients to
the tooth.
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| Radiographic
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Referring
to x-rays.
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| Remineralization
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Redeposition or replacement
of the tooth's minerals into a de mineralized (previously decayed)
lesion. This reverses the decay process, and is enhanced by
the presence of topical fluoride.
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| Resistant
bacteria
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Bacteria
which have developed resistance to typical modes of periodontal
therapy.
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| Restorations
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Any replacement for lost tooth
structure or teeth; for example, bridges, fillings, crowns and
implants.
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| Sealants
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Used to prevent
caries (tooth decay), sealants are a plastic liquid which is
placed on the top surfaces of posterior teeth. The sealant hardens
into place, forming a shallow surface that is easily cleaned
with a toothbrush.
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| Sloughing
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A condition in which the gingival
tissue deadens and peels away from the living tissue.
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| Soft palate
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The back tissue portion of
the roof of the mouth.
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| Stain extrinsic
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Refers to tooth stain located
on the outside of the tooth surface originating from external
substances such as tobacco, coffee, tea or food. This stain
can be removed by polishing the teeth with an abrasive prophylaxis
paste.
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| Stain intrinsic
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Refers to tooth stain originating
from the ingestion of certain materials or chemical substances
during tooth development, or from the presence of caries. This
stain is permanent and cannot be removed.
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| Subgingival
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The moat-like area below the
gingival margin which surrounds the tooth.
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| Substantivity
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Refers to the amount of time
that an active ingredient or agent remains effective after being
applied to the area of treatment. Used in describing the activity
of chemotherapeutic agents.
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| Sulcus
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The space between the free
gingival and the tooth, having a depth of 1-3mm.
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| Supragingival
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The area above the gingival
margin.
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| Systemic
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Ingested and allowed to reach
areas of the body through the bloodstream.
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| Teething
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Baby teeth pushing through
gums.
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| Temporomandibular Joint
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Also abbreviated as "TMJ",
this is the area forming the "hinge" between the mandible
and the skull.
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| Topical
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Applied directly to an infected
area for treatment.
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| Toxicity
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Referring to the human safety
of a product or ingredient.
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| Ultrasonic
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Conversion of high frequency
electrical current into mechanical vibrations.
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| Ventral surface
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The underside, used when speaking
of the tongue; thus the ventral surface of the tongue is the
underside of the tongue.
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