Glossary of Dental Terms PDF

## Glossary - **abnormal**: If something is abnormal, it is unusual. - **accident**: An accident is when something goes wrong in an unplanned way. - **advanced**: If a condition is advanced, it has existed for some time and is therefore more serious. - **alginate**: Alginate is a salt of alginic...

## Glossary - **abnormal**: If something is abnormal, it is unusual. - **accident**: An accident is when something goes wrong in an unplanned way. - **advanced**: If a condition is advanced, it has existed for some time and is therefore more serious. - **alginate**: Alginate is a salt of alginic acid, which can be combined with water to create a gel used to make dental impressions. - **alignment**: Alignment is the relative positioning of two or more things. - **appliance**: An appliance is an instrument or device, usually operated by an electric or gas current, which performs a function. - **apply**: To apply a coating is to cover or paint the teeth with the layer of liquid or paste. - **artificial**: If something is artificial, it is a man-made object that is based on a natural model. - **attach**: To attach is to fasten or fix one thing to another. - **baby teeth**: Baby teeth are the first set of teeth that young kids get, which are not permanent. - **bacterial infection**: A bacterial infection is a disease caused by bacteria. - **bitewing X-ray**: A bitewing X-ray shows the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth, from the crown to the supporting bone, in order to detect decay, bone loss due to gum disease, and to determine the proper fit for a crown. - **bleeding**: Bleeding is the loss of blood as a result of injury or illness. - **blister**: A blister is a painful bubble on the skin filled with serum. - **bone graft**: A bone graft is when worn away bone is replaced with bone from elsewhere in the body. - **braces**: Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances that move teeth into the correct position. - **bridge**: A bridge is composed of a short row of prosthetic teeth used to replace missing natural teeth. - **brush biopsy**: A brush biopsy is when a professional takes a sample of cells for further analysis. - **bruxism**: Bruxism is grinding the teeth. - **bubble**: A bubble is a circular ball of air or gas. - **build up**: To build up is to accumulate. - **bulla**: A bulla (plural bullae) is large blister. - **bumper**: A bumper is a removable orthodontic appliance, used to keep lips and cheeks away from the teeth. - **cancer**: Cancer is a serious disease where a group of cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled way. - **cancerous**: If something is cancerous, it contains invasive, damaging cells. - **canker sore**: A canker sore is an ulcer in the mouth. - **caries**: Caries is decay in the teeth or bones. - **cartilage**: Cartilage is strong stretchy tissue found at the joints. - **cavity**: A cavity is a hole in the teeth caused by tooth decay. - **cephalometric projection**: A cephalometric projection is a type of X-ray, usually used in orthodontics, which examines the teeth in relation to the jaw and profile. - **checkup**: A checkup is a medical examination by a medical professional to make sure you have no health problems. - **chemotherapy**: Chemotherapy is treatment, often of cancer, using chemicals. - **chicken pox**: Chicken pox is a viral infection which causes fever and itchy blisters on the skin. - **chronic**: If a disease or infection is chronic, it continues for a long time. - **clean**: To clean something is to make it free of dirt or debris. - **clench**: To clench something is to shut it tightly and rigidly. - **click**: To clicks is to makes a sharp, short sound. - **coating**: A coating is a light layer that covers the surface of something.