Terminology

From the Latin" 

From the Greek "anaisthetos", meaning "without feeling, senseless, stupid".  A drug which is a doctor or dentist uses to put you, your mouth, or some opther part of your body asleep so you do not feel any pain during dental or medical procedure.

From the Latin "aspiration", meaning "to breath/exhale".  A straw-like tube which the dental team uses to evacuate saliva from the mouth during a procedure.

 The teeth just behind the canines but before the molars.  They are "bi" - cuspids because they have two cuspals/points.  There are two in each quadrant. 

 An x-ray that images the crowns of the teeth on the top and bottom while biting down. 

Refers to white fillings that adhere to the tooth and strengthen it while giving a natural tooth appearance.

 (from the Greek (brygmos), "gnashing of the teeth"). Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw.  In most people, bruxism is mild enough not to be a health problem.  While bruxism may occur during waking or sleeping hours, it is during sleep that it causes majority of health issues; it can occur during short naps.  It is a very common sleep disorder. 

From the Latin "bucca", meaning "cheek".  The outer surface of the tooth which contacts the inside of the cheek.

Also known as tartar.  A hard calcium deposit which forms on the teeth.

 From the Latin "caninus", meaning "pertaining to dogs". Used to refer to the pointed teeth typically found at position 3.  These are used when eating for tearing food. 

 The material used for bonding restorations.  It is hardened by using a blue curing light. 

 From the Latin "curare", meaning "to care".  A periodontal procedure where your gums are cleaning to remove bacterial & infected tissue is removed. 

From the Laton "dens", meaning "tooth". A synthetic replacement for some or all of your teeth in your upper and/or lower jaw

Dental caries (a.k.a tooth decay or a cavity) is a bacterial infection that causes destruction of the hard tissues (enamel, dentin, cementum), usually by production of acit by bacterial fermination of the food debris accumulated on the tooth surface. If left untreated, the disease can lead to pain and/or tooth loss.  Caries remain one of the most common diseases throughout the world

 Comprehensive x-rays (about 18) that image all of the teeth and surrounding bone structure.  Recommended to be taken every 3-5 years. 

A tooth that has not yet erupted and has somehow gotten stuck, preventing it from comin in.

 Acts as a replacement for a missing tooth.  The implant is different than a bridge in that the implant is permanently attached to the jaw bone. 

 From the Latin "incidere", "to cut into".  Used to refer to your front teeth (centrals or tooth 1 using the numerical system) and the teeth beside them (laterals or tooth 2) 

From the Latin root "mola", meaning "middle".  The large flat teeth towrds the back of the mouth used for chewing and grinding food.  There are three in each quadrant.

Used to lower the patient's anxiety during dental procedures.

An x-ray that images several teeth from root to tip.

From the Latin "radius", meaning "in advance, beforehand" + Greek "graphein", meaning "to draw, represent with lines". Another name for an x-ray.  This allows the dentist to look at the inside and roots of your teeth to check for decay or infection.

A procedure where the nerve of a heavily decayed tooth is removed and replaced with a filling material.

An abbreviation for the "temporomandibular joint".  This joing is the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull.