Wear on the teeth caused by actions other than eating e.g. hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, holding objects between teeth or Bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth).

An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone.

Tooth or implant that supports a fixed or removable bridge.

A resin used as a denture base material, for other dental restorations, and for trays.

The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.

An alloy used in dental restorations; a common filling material.

Loss of the feeling of pain without loss of consciousness.

Partial or complete elimination of pain sensation; local anesthesia numbs a particular area like a tooth without causing loss of consciousness; general anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness used in some dental procedures.

The tip of the root of a tooth.

Removal of the tip of a tooth root.

Describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth.

A cosmetic procedure that uses a bleaching solution to whiten teeth.

A composite resin applied to a tooth to change the colour or shape; can also refer to the method used to adhere fillings and dental appliances or restorations to teeth.

Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum disease).

Devices used in orthodontics to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment.

A fixed or removable dental appliance used to replace missing teeth.

Constant grinding or clenching of the teeth that frequently occurs while sleeping.

Also known as tartar, the hard deposit of minerals that stick to teeth.

Tooth decay or cavities.

Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.

A dental restorative material made up of different parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).

The part of a tooth that is covered with enamel; an artificial substitute for that part of the tooth.

Decomposition of tooth structure; also known as cavities.

A cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance; usually made of titanium.

The part of the tooth below the enamel.

Removable (partial or complete) artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent gum tissue.

Durable, hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin, the layer just beneath it.

Specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp (nerves).

Wearing down of teeth caused by chemicals (acids).

Removal of a tooth or parts of a tooth.

Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown; may be acrylic, composite or porcelain.

Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials.

Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.

A combination of x-rays that show all of the teeth (their crowns and roots) and the jaw bone that surrounds them.

Gum tissue.

Surgical removal of gum tissue.

Inflammation of gum tissue.

Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.

Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.

Partial or completely unexposed tooth that is wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, in such a manner that tooth eruption is unlikely.

Mold made of the teeth and soft tissues.

Porcelain or resin filling bonded in place to restore a decayed or broken tooth.

A small video camera used to view and magnify oral conditions.

Thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth.

A very thin porcelain resin shell bonded to the enamel of the front teeth.

Nitrous oxide; odorless gas that reduces anxiety and creates a state of relaxation.

Acrylic appliance used to prevent wear and temporomandibular damage caused by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep.

A gas used to reduce patient anxiety.

A porcelain or resin filling that protects a tooth by covering only the chewing surface; a laboratory produced restoration covering one or more cusps of a tooth.

A dental specialist who manages the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures.

Process of maintaining cleanliness of the teeth, gums and mouth.

Dental specialist who treats misalignment of teeth.

Inflammation of the gingival (gums) that can lead to infection and, in severe cases, deterioration of the jaw bone and loss of a tooth.

Soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed mostly of bacteria.

A durable, ceramic, tooth-colored material that is used in veneers and crowns.

Thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a "coping" that replaces lost tooth structure and retains crown.

Replacement of portion of a damaged tooth.

Tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw.

Procedure that must be performed when the pulp within a tooth dies or becomes infected; removes the pulp of a tooth and fills the root canal.

Removal of bacteria, calculus and damaged dentin or cementum on the root surfaces.

Removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces.

Plastic resin bonded in the pits and fissures of back teeth for the prevention of decay.

See calculus.

Temporomandibular disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw.

The temporomandibular joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.

A chemical or laser process to lighten the color of teeth.

Plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance; typically used for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth.

Third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25 (when "wisdom is attained").