Glossary
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
A
anterior - the front side.
asymmetry - lacking symmetry; parts of the body are unequal
in shape or size.
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B
bilateral - affecting both sides.
bruxism - the condition of incessant grinding and clenching
of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times.
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C
cleft lip - an abnormality in which the lip does not completely
form. The degree of the cleft lip can vary greatly, from mild (notching
of the lip) to severe (large opening from the lip up through the
nose).
cleft palate - occurs when the roof of the mouth does not
completely close, leaving an opening that can extend into the nasal
cavity. The cleft may involve either side of the palate. It can
extend from the front of the mouth (hard palate) to the throat (soft
palate). The cleft may also include the lip.
composite resins - white fillings, a composite resin is a
tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide)
that is used primarily for cosmetic improvements of the smile by
changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
condyle - the joint portion of the lower jaw.
congenital - present at birth.
congenital anomaly - a health problem present at birth (not
necessarily genetic).
craniofacial - pertaining to the head (skull) and face.
crossbite - an abnormal relation of one or more teeth, in
which the buccal or outside cups of the lower (mandibular) teeth
are lateral to the those of the upper (maxillary) teeth.
crown - a "cap" that covers a cracked or broken
tooth, unfixed by a filling, to approximate its normal size and
shape.
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D
DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery. deciduous teeth - also known
as "baby" or primary teeth.
dental arch - the horseshoe-shaped sections of the jaws
that contain the teeth.
dental amalgams - also known as silver fillings, dental
amalgams are comprised of a mixture of mercury (45 to 50 percent)
and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper (50 to 55 percent).
dental fluorosis - a condition that results from drinking
overly fluoridated water that often causes the teeth to become discolored
and the enamel of the teeth to look spotted, pitted, or stained.
dental implants - small dental appliances that are inserted
into the upper and lower jaws to help rebuild a mouth that has few
or no restorable teeth.
dental pulp - the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains
nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
dental sealant - a thin, plastic film that is painted on
the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - the molars and premolars
- to prevent tooth decay.
DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine.
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E
eruption - when a tooth emerges from the gums.
endodontist - also called a pulp specialist, an endodontist
has undergone specialized training in performing root canal therapy.
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F
fluoride - a mineral that can be found in water and toothpaste
that can help prevent tooth decay.
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G
genioplasty - surgery of the chin, whereby its shape or size
is altered.
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H
halitosis - an oral health condition characterized by consistently
odorous breath.
hard palate - the roof of the mouth.
hemifacial microsomia (Also called Goldenhar syndrome, brachial
arch syndrome, facio-auriculo-vertebral syndrome, oculo-auriculo-vertebral
spectrum, or lateral facial dysplasia.) - a condition in which the
tissues on one side of the face are underdeveloped, affecting primarily
the ear (aural), mouth (oral), and jaw (mandibular) areas. Sometimes,
both sides of the face can be affected and may involve the skull,
as well as the face.
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M
malocclusion - an orthodontic or orthognathic problem that
means "bad bite," including crowded, missing, or crooked
teeth, extra teeth, or a misaligned jaw.
mandible - the lower jaw.
maxilla - the upper jaw.
microgenia - a small or underdeveloped chin.
microglossia - smallness of the tongue.
micrognathia - abnormal smallness of the lower jaw.
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O
occlusion - any contact between the biting and chewing surfaces
of the upper and lower teeth.
oral and maxillofacial surgeon - orthopedic facial surgeon
who is responsible for treating a wide variety of dental problems
- including the removal of impacted teeth (orthognathic surgery) and
reconstructive facial surgery.
oral cavity - relating to the mouth cavity.
oropharynx - the part of the throat at the back of the mouth.
orthodontics - orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses
on the development, prevention, and correction of irregularities of
the teeth, bite, and jaws.
orthodontist - a dentist who evaluates the position and alignment
of your child's teeth and coordinates a treatment plan with the surgeon
and other specialists.
ostectomy - surgical removal of a bone.
overbite - the up and down (vertical) overlapping of the lower
teeth by the upper teeth.
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P
pediatric dentist - a dentist who specializes in the oral healthcare
of children, from infancy through the teenage years.
periodontal diseases - also called gum diseases, periodontal
diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the gums and
the surrounding tissues of the mouth.
periodontist - a specialist in the field of dentistry responsible
for the care and prevention of gum-related diseases, guided bone regeneration,
and dental implants.
plaque - a thin, sticky film of bacteria.
plastic/craniofacial surgeon - a surgeon with specialized
training in the diagnosis and treatment of skeletal abnormalities
of the skull, facial bones, and soft tissue; will work closely with
the orthodontists and other specialists to coordinate a surgical plan.
porcelain veneers - a ceramic material is bonded to the front
of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape.
posterior - referring to the back part of a structure.
prosthodontist - a dental specialist who has undergone additional
training and certification in the restoration and replacement of broken
teeth with crowns, bridges, or removable prosthetics (dentures).
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S
soft palate - the muscular, movable part of the roof of the
mouth.
speech and language specialist - a professional who will perform
a comprehensive speech evaluation to assess your child's communicative
abilities and who will closely monitor your child throughout all developmental
stages.
speech disorder - defect or abnormality that prevents an individual
from communicating by means of spoken words.
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T
temporomandibular joints (TMJ) - the two complex joints that
connect the jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone).
throat disorders - disorders or diseases of the larynx (voice
box) or esophagus.
tongue - large muscle on the floor of the mouth that manipulates
food for chewing and swallowing; the main organ of taste; assists
in forming speech sounds.
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U
unilateral - affecting only one side.
uvula - the small, cone-shaped fleshy pendant suspended in
the mouth from the middle of the back edge of the soft palate.
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V
vocal cords (Also called vocal folds.) - muscularized folds
of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed
in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and
rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.
voice - sound produced by air passing out through the larynx
and upper respiratory tract.
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X
x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic
energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs
onto film.
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Z
zygoma - malar bone, cheek bone.
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