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M

MALOCCLUSION - any deviation from the ideal positioning of the teeth or jaws.

MAMELON - small elevations of enamel present on the incisors as they erupt.

MANAGED CARE PLANS - plans that restrict the type, level, and frequency of treatment; these plans limit access to care and control the level of service reimbursement (i.e. DMO's, Capitation plans, and Closed Panel plans).

MANDIBLE - the lower jaw.
MARYLAND BRIDGE A type of Bonded Bridge. Its main difference from conventional bridges is in the reduced amount of abutment preparation necessary. Only the lingual surfaces of the abutments are reduced.

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 that 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

N

NASAL -b relating to the nose.

NEURON - a nerve cell.

NEOPLASM - a proliferation of cells interfering with surrounding tissues; refers to cancer.

NICOTINE PATCHES - typically worn for 24 hours over several weeks, supplying a steady flow of nicotine. The main brands include: Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicotrol and Prostep. Over the course of treatment the amount of nicotine in the patch gradually decreases. Studies have shown that this method has approximately a 25 % success rate.

NIGHTGUARD - a removable acrylic appliance to minimize the effects of grinding (bruxism) and TMJ associated problems.

O

OBLIQUE RIDGE - a linear elevation that transverses a surface.

OCCLUDE - to bring together.

OCCLUSAL - relating to the biting surface of teeth.

OCCLUSAL EQUILIBRATION - process of refining and perfecting the occlusion.

OCCLUSAL GUARD - see NIGHTGUARD.

OCCLUSAL PLANE - The imaginary surface on which upper and lower teeth meet.

OCCLUSAL TRAUMA - results from excessive force 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 destruction.

OCCLUSION - the relationship of the teeth in a closed position in both the maxillary and Mandibular arch.

ONLAY - A laboratory processed restoration made of metal, porcelain or acrylic that replaces one or more of cusps of a tooth.

OPAQUING - covering the metal work of prosthesis with a material so that it doesn't show through.

OPEN BITE - increased distance between the two arches; space between the front upper and lower teeth when the back teeth are touching.

ORAL CAVITY - the mouth.

ORAL SURGERY (O.S.) - surgery of the mouth.

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON - treats and surgically corrects diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth and jaws.

ORAL PATHOLOGIST - examines oral tissues for evidence of suspected abnormalities such as cancer.

ORIGIN - the fixed end of a muscle.

ORTHODONTICS - a branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth and their correction.

ORTHODONTIST - designs and applies corrective and supportive appliances, braces, to realign crooked teeth.

OSTEOBLASTS - Cells, which aid in the growth and development of teeth and bones.

OSTEOCLASTS - Cells, which help, remodel bone.

P

P.A. - see PERIAPICAL.

PALATE - roof of the mouth.

PALATAL SURFACE - the surface of the maxillary teeth nearest the palate.

PALMER'S NOTATION- An identification system for teeth; widely used to designate individual teeth amongst orthodontists.

PANOREX - a single, large x-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.

PARTIAL DENTURE - a removable appliance that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

PASSIVE ERUPTION -describes the process by which teeth continue to erupt into the mouth, as tooth structure is lost to attrition and wear.

PATHOGENS - Disease producing organism

PATHOLOGY - The study of abnormal (diseased) tissue conditions.

PEDODONTICS (PEDO) - the treatment of children's teeth.

PELLICLE - the first step in plaque formation; a clear, thin covering containing proteins and lipids (fats) found in saliva. It is formed within seconds after a tooth surface is cleaned.

PERIAPICAL - an x-ray that shows the whole tooth, also known as a single film or P.A.

PERIAPICAL ABSCESS - infection of the pulp of the tooth and tissues surrounding the base of the tooth.

PERICORONITIS - infection of the tissue overlying a partially erupted tooth. Treatment involves keeping this tissue clean and free of bacteria.

PERIODONTAL CHARTING - measures the pocket depth resulting from attachment loss between the gums and teeth.

PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT - the fibers which suspend the tooth in the bony socket; it is attached at one end to the cementum, and at the other end to the alveolar bone of the socket.

PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE - cleaning of the teeth following periodontal treatment, includes perio charting.

PERIODONTAL POCKET - the pocket that forms when the gums lose attachment from the teeth.
PERIODONTAL PROBE - a dental instrument used to measure pocket depth.

PERIODONTAL PROPHY - see Periodontal Maintenance.

PERIODONTAL RECALL - see Periodontal Maintenance.

PERIODONTICS (PERIO) - the treatment of diseases of the gum.

PERIODONTIST - diagnoses and treats diseases of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth, especially periodontal, gum, disease

PERIODONTITIS - a form of periodontal disease affecting adults resulting in destruction of alveolar bone.

PERIODONTIUM - the structures that surround and support the teeth.

PERMANENT DENTITION - see PERMANENT TEETH.

PERMANENT TEETH - the teeth that replace the deciduous or primary teeth.

PHONETICS - production of sounds.

PIT - a pinpoint depression in the occlusal surface of a tooth.

PLAQUE - a sticky film that accumulated on teeth.

PLASTER OF PARIS - gypsum, used to make models of teeth.

POLISHING - 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 handpiece.

POLYPHYODONT - possessing several sets of teeth during a lifespan.

PONTIC - the component of a bridge that replaces the missing teeth.

PORCELAIN - a tooth-colored sand like material; much like enamel in appearance.

PORCELAIN VENEER - ultra-thin shells of ceramic material bonded to the front of the tooth.
POSTERIOR TEETH - the back teeth (Bicuspids and molars).

POSTPALATAL SEAL - an elevation of material on the back (tissue side) of a denture; for the purpose of sealing the denture.

PPO - see PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.

PREDETERMINATION - the doctor notifies the insurance company beforehand of the intended treatment and the insurance company estimates the benefits that will be paid.

PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO) - A plan where the patient can go to any dentist they choose, or they can choose a preferred dentist and receive discounted fees. These plans are listed on our system as Preferred and Non Preferred.

PREMOLARS - two-cusped teeth immediately in front of molars.

PREVENTIVE - a procedure performed to aid in preventing decay and/ or gum disease.

PRIMARY PLAN - when a patient is covered by two insurance plans, the plan that is billed first is the primary plan.

PRIMARY TEETH - the baby teeth, also known as the primary dentition.

PRIMATE SPACING - the normal spacing between primary anterior teeth.

PROCERA - Procera is a type of Porcelain Crown. They are one of the strongest all-porcelain crowns available. Procera's framework is computer generated; porcelain is then added to the structure.

PROPHY - see PROPHYLAXIS.

PROPHYLAXIS - a general meaning to clean the teeth, also known as a prophy.

PROSTHETICS - a fixed or removable appliance used to replace missing teeth (i.e. bridges, partials, and dentures).

PROSTHODONTIST - constructs artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and other oral structures such as dentures

PROXIMAL - nearest the point of attachment; the mesial or distal surface of the tooth.

PROXIMAL SURFACE - the surface of the tooth adjacent to the next tooth; refers to the mesial and distal surfaces.

PUBLIC HEALTH DENTIST - concerned with the dental health needs of entire communities, and can design and administer large-scale prevention and dental care programs by compiling and analyzing statistics

PULP CANAL - the portion of the pulp in the root.

PULP CHAMBER - the portion of the pulp in the crown of the tooth.

PULP HORN - the portion of the pulp chamber that extends towards the cusp.

PULP TISSUE - the soft (not calcified) tissue in the pulp chamber; composed of blood vessels and nerves.


Q

QUADRANT - denotes one of four equal sections in the mouth. The upper right, upper left, lower right or the lower left.