Decay: is the slow degradation of a tooth as a result of acid production generated by the bacterial digestion of sugars.

Caries: The technical term for the progressive decay of a tooth or teeth.

Plaque: is a sticky build up of saliva, food and bacteria that attaches to the teeth.

Impacted: a tooth that is not yet come threw the gum tissue.

Abscess: a localized infection of a tooth and/or the gum.

Extra oral: is the outside of ones mouth.

Intraoral: is the inside of one mouth.

Apex: The very bottom of the root of your tooth

Periodontal disease: is inflammation and irritation of the gums which, if left untreated, can cause the jawbone and teeth to deteriorate and fall out.

Gingivitis: A disease of the gum tissue that can cause inflammation and bleeding.

Osteoclasts: Cells which help create the sockets in bones.

Osteoblasts: Cells which aid the growth and development of teeth and bones.

Edentulous: when all of their teeth are missing from either their upper or lower jaw

Desensitizing: is the application of a desensitizing agent to remove the sensitivity of ones tooth.

Interproximal: is the space in between ones teeth.

Distal: the surface of the tooth that is between ones tooth towards the back of the tooth.

Mesial: the surface of the tooth that is in between ones tooth towards the front of the tooth.

Incisal: The biting edge of your centrals and laterals.

Labial: The tooth surface next to your lips

Buccal: The tooth surface which is next to your cheeks.

Lingual: The tooth surface next to your tongue.

Occlusal: the chewing or grinding surface of ones teeth.

Anterior: An adjective used to describe things pertaining to your front teeth.

Posterior: An adjective used to describe things pertaining to your back teeth.

Pit & fissures: a small defect in the tooth enamel, usually found on the back teeth.

Retained roots: root remaining in jaw after tooth is extracted or broken off.

Pulpotomy: the removal of the infected portion of the pulp.

Pulpectomy: total removal of the pulp.

Gingivectomy: removal of gum tissue.

Pulpitis: inflammation of the pulp.

Maxilla: your upper jaw

Mandible: Your lower jaw

Air abrasion: removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive.

Local anesthetic: A local anesthetic is a type of medication that is administered to numb the pain in a specific area of the body.

Topical anesthetic: is a gel that is applied to ones gums before the local anesthetic is given to numb the area of injection.

Maryland Bridge: a bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth.

Fixed bridge: A porcelain ceramic tooth that is bonded to two adjacent porcelain-crowned teeth without the ability to remove it.

Bridge: A type of prosthetic appliance that is used for the purpose of replacing a missing tooth or teeth.

Crown / Cap: A type of restorative prosthetic appliance that is used to help strengthen or replace parts of a missing tooth.

Implant: A type of prosthetic device that is inserted into the upper or lower jawbone, onto which an artificial tooth, crown or bridge can be anchored.

Pontic: A type of artificial tooth mounted on a fixed dental bridge and used to replace a missing natural tooth.

Denture: Artificial teeth that are intended for the partial or complete replacement of missing teeth.

Over denture: denture that fits over tooth roots or dental implants.

Abutment: Supports a fixed or removable dental bridge used to replace a missing tooth.

Inlay & Onlay: Are restorative devices that can be used in place of dental fillings to treat tooth decay / damage.

Post & core: a post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure.

Scaling: Refers to the removal of plaque and other such staining from the surface of a tooth.

Flouride: A type of topical gel / liquid for the purpose of preventing tooth decay.

Root planning: procedure used to remove plaque and calculus from the root of the tooth.

Bonding: A technique used to bind an artificial material with the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes

Composite resin: is a plastic material used in bonding, restorative, and replacement procedures

Amalgam: A silver/mercury mixture which is used for fillings

Root canal: A procedure where the nerve of a heavily decayed tooth is removed from the tooth replaced with a filling material to illuminate pain.

Fracture: is when the tooth, cracks or chips, may cause pain.

Extraction: Removal of a tooth or teeth.

Veneer: A type of thin material that is used for restorative or aesthetic purposes to improve the look of one smile.

Ceramic: material used for crowns.

Porcelain: materials used for crowns.

Pulp: A soft tissue located in the centermost part of a tooth.

Dentin: The calcium part of a tooth below the enamel containing the pulp chamber and root canals.

Calculus or tartar: is hardened mineralized plaque that adheres to the teeth and roots.

Cementum: A fibrous connective tissue that envelopes the root of a tooth.

Enamel: The hard white substance on the outside of the tooth and it is one of the most mineralized substances in the body.

Bruxism: Defined as the clenching or grinding of the teeth at night.

Prophylaxis/ prophy: professional cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or hygienist.

Radiographs / X-ray: a photo of ones tooth structures.

TMJ (temporal madibural joint): is the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull.

Over bite: A vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth.

Over jet: increased projection of the upper teeth in front of the lower teeth.

Cross bite: the bottom teeth are shifted to one side or shoved forward or backward.

Open bite: is when ones teeth do not make contact with each other.

Recession: is the shrinking of ones gum tissues away from the tooth.

Pocket: the space between the root of ones tooth and there bone.

Gingiva: another name for ones gum tissues.

Malocclusion: Refers to the misalignment of the lower and upper teeth.

Furcation: region of division of the roots of the tooth that is exposed.

Mobility: the looseness of ones teeth.

Orthodontics:  is the practice of preventing and correcting the irregularities of ones teeth.

Decalcification: is the loss of calcium, due to bacteria and plaque sitting on the teeth.

Periodontal exam: is the measurement of the depth of the pocket between the root and gums.

Amalgam Tattoo: is the discoloration of the gums due to little bits of amalgam becoming embedded in the gum tissues, at the time of an amalgam filling.