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Selected
as the Vancouver dentist for Cirque du Soleil.
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| Patient Education |
Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)...
Extreme Makeover Vancouver
You don't have to travel to Hollywood for that Extreme Makeover. Those
life changing new smiles are available right here in Vancouver. Visit
our before and after galleries to see for yourself - more...
Cosmetic
Dentistry
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to transform an average smile into
a terrific smile! To accomplish this goal, we analyze every aspect of
a smile and then correct the problem. We can repair chipped or broken
teeth. We can replace silver - more...
Initial
visit
Since you may have periodontal disease without experiencing any symptoms,
we perform a thorough examination using X- rays and a periodontal
probe. Healthy gums fit tight against the teeth and have no pockets.
When the bone levels fall as a result of - more... |
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Dental Dictionary
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| A |
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loss of tooth structure caused by tooth
grinding, an improper bite, a hard toothbrush or poor
brushing technique
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a localized infection of a tooth and/or
the gum
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tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or
removable bridge
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removal of tooth structure by blasting
a tooth with air and abrasive, also a relatively new
technology in dentistry that often avoids the need
for anesthetic
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an unwanted bodily response to a substance
or organism
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the bone surrounding the roots of teeth
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the most common material used for fillings,
also called silver fillings; a mixture of mercury (app
50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings
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partial loss of pain sensation
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absence of pain sensation; numbing a
tooth is local anesthesia; with general anesthesia
the patient is unconscious
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the six upper and six lower front teeth
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a drug that stops or slows the growth
of germs (bacteria)
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an acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative
Gingivitis, more commonly known as trench mouth or
Vincent's disease, often brought on by stress and/or
smoking
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the tip of the root of a tooth
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removal of the root end of a tooth to
treat an infection
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shape assumed collectively by upper and
lower teeth
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B |
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the first teeth, also called
deciduous teeth; usually there are twenty baby teeth
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a cement applied under a filling
or crown to decrease sensitivity to heat or cold and
protect the filling
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removal of a small piece of
tissue to determine if it is diseased
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how the upper and lower teeth
come together; may also be called occlusion
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excessive growth of fungi
that normally live in the mouth
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anesthetizing a nerve that
serves a large area of the jaw, usually the lower jaw;
may numb teeth, tongue and half of the jaw in that
area
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applying a tooth-colored resin
to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth,
most often a front tooth
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decrease in bone supporting
the roots of teeth; a common result of gum disease
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the gradual loss of bone Orthodontists
use this process to "pull" teeth through bone to new
positions.
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devices used by orthodontists
to gradually reposition teeth
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appliance cemented to teeth
adjacent to a space that replaces one or more missing
teeth; usually cemented or attached to teeth or implants
adjacent to the space
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involuntary, "nervous" grinding
of the teeth while the patient is asleep
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involuntary, "nervous" grinding
of the teeth while the patient is awake
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C |
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chemical element needed for
healthy teeth, bones and nerves
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hard residue, ranging from
yellow to brown, forming on teeth when oral hygiene
is incomplete or improper
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whitish, often circular mouth sore lasting
ten to fourteen days
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fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent
teeth on one end only
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common term for crown
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tooth decay or cavities
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dental tool that uses high frequency
sound waves to clean teeth
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uncontrolled infection causing extensive
swelling Since this is a dangerous condition, a dentist
or physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
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hard tissue that covers the roots of
teeth
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to measure the depth of the gum pockets
around teeth
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device that retains a removable partial
denture
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removal of plaque and calculus from teeth,
generally above the gumline
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common bonding mix of plastic and glass/ceramic
particles; usually cured with light or chemicals
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two meanings: (1)the portion of a tooth
covered by enamel, and (2)a restoration that covers
all or most of the natural tooth above the gumline
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removal of dead inner tissue from a gum
pocket
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a fluid-filled sac
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D |
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destruction of tooth structure
caused by acid produced by bacteria
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baby teeth
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hard, living inner layer of
a tooth (the layer immediately under the outer enamel
layer)
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a (usually) titanium cylinder
surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower
jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth
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your teeth and how they are
arranged in your mouth
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a removable set of artificial
teeth
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the production and sale of
dentures by non-dentists
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the space between front teeth
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E |
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hard tissue covering the crown
(portion above the gumline) of a tooth
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a specialist who treats injuries,
diseases and infections of the tooth pulp
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the process whereby teeth
grow through the gums
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See extraction.
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a pointed instrument for examining
the surfaces of teeth
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removal of a tooth/teeth
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the four upper and lower canine
or eye teeth
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F |
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the visible portion of a crown;
may be acrylic, composite or porcelain
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restoring lost tooth structure
with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin
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tunnel conducting pus from
one infection to the site of another; a mouth fistula
is called a gum boil
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loosening of gums from bone
to expose and clean underlying tooth structures
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instrument used to remove
a tooth
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removable denture replacing
all teeth in upper or lower arch
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removal of the frenum, the
thin cord of tissue that attaches the upper or lower
lips to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth |
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G |
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(guided tissue regeneration)
a new technique for replacing bone tissue lost between
roots of teeth
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a controlled state of unconsciousness,
accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation,
protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully
to physical stimulation or verbal command
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loss of all usual color and
texture of tongue; does not require treatment
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the gums
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removal of gum tissue
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inflammation of gum tissue
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See fistula.
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H |
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bad breath
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compound used as a dental
whitening agent and mouthwash
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dental sensitivity to temperature
and sweets; can precede an abscess
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I |
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an unexposed or partially
exposed tooth that is so wedged against another tooth,
bone, or soft tissue that complete exposure of the
tooth is unlikely
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artificial device replacing
tooth root; may anchor an artificial tooth, bridge,
or denture
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making an incision in an abscess
to drain infection
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four upper and four lower
front teeth, (excludes the canine teeth)
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process for numbing the upper
teeth (placing anesthetic liquid under the gum tissue
and allowing it to migrate into the bone)
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a filling made by a dental
laboratory that is cemented into place, generally requires
two dental appointments
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- intraoral camera:
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a tiny TV camera used to view issues of the mouth (owned by approximately 50 percent of U S dentists
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J |
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crown for a front tooth, usually
made of porcelain
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L |
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thin plastic or porcelain
veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded
to a tooth to improve its appearance
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common name for nitrous oxide;
used to reduce anxieties and relax patients
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elimination of the sensation
of pain, in one part of the body by the surface application
or regional injection of an anesthetic drug
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M |
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"bad bite" or misalignment
between the upper and lower teeth
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program whereby patient-dentist
assignment and dentist reimbursement are administered
by a separate, external organization
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the lower jaw
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point of contact between a
restoration and the tooth
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a bridge that is bonded or
cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth
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the upper jaw
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the baby teeth
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the twelve back teeth in the
entire mouth (or the three back teeth in each fourth
of the mouth if the wisdom teeth are in)
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N |
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common term for tooth pulp
which is the sensitive innermost portion of a tooth
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plastic device that covers
all of the upper or lower teeth; used to prevent wear
caused by tooth grinding during sleep
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a gas used to reduce patient
anxiety
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older brand name for a local
anesthetic
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O |
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how the upper and lower teeth
come together
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laboratory-produced restoration
covering the cusps of a tooth
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oral and maxillofacial surgeon: |
a specialist who deals with
the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases,
injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting
structures. Generally requires four additional years
of training after dental school
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the mouth
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the process of maintaining
the cleanliness of the mouth
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operations on the mouth; for
example, extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and
repair of broken jaw bone
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dental specialty that treats
misalignment of teeth
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denture that fits over tooth
roots or dental implants
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P |
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treatment that is designed
primarily to reduce or eliminate pain
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loss of sensation in part
of the body
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removable denture replacing
some of the teeth
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dental specialty focusing
on treatment of children
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a specialist who treats the gums and
supporting structures of the teeth
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the thirty-two adult teeth
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a small defect in the tooth
enamel, usually found on the back teeth
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a treatment that works because
of the patient's belief in it, not because of the actual
physical change it produces
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a soft sticky substance that
accumulates on teeth; composed largely of bacteria
and food substances suspended in saliva
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a false tooth mounted on a
bridge
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a porcelain cap which covers
the crown (that portion above the gumline) of the tooth
to repair it or change the shape and/or color
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porcelain inlay or onlay: |
a tooth-colored filling, made
of porcelain
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a thin layer of porcelain
bonded to the front and top of a front tooth to repair
or change the color and/or shape
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a thin metal rod inserted
into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy;
provides retention for a "core" which is a buildup
of material that replaces the lost tooth structure
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a post and a buildup of material
that replaces the lost tooth structure
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single structure that combines
post-core and crown
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the probable outcome of treatment
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procedure for preserving the
health and preventing infection of teeth
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an artificial replacement
for a body part
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a dentist who specializes
in restoring teeth, replacing missing teeth with bridges
and dentures, and maintaining proper occlusion
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the nerves, blood vessels
and connective tissue inside a tooth
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a medicated covering over
a small area of exposed pulp
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the center or innermost portion
of the tooth containing the pulp
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total removal of the pulp
in children's teeth
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inflammation of the pulp;
a common cause of a toothache
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partial removal of the pulp
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common term for gum disease
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R |
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return to mouth of tooth/teeth
lost through trauma
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plastic buildup of denture
to compensate for bone loss (usually accomplished in
conjunction with a dental laboratory)
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the replacement part or portion
restored on a damaged tooth
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root remaining in jaw after
tooth is extracted or broken off
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tooth structure that connects
the tooth to the jaw
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common term for root canal
therapy, also the interior space of the tooth root
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process of removing pulp of
a tooth and filling it with an inert material
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removal of root of a tooth
while retaining the crown
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soft latex sheet used to protect
one or more teeth from moisture and to keep materials
from falling to the back of the throat
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S |
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clear fluid in the mouth containing
water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells
and undigested food particles
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suction tube placed in the
mouth to remove saliva
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located under tongue and in
cheeks, produce saliva
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meticulous removal of plaque
and calculus from tooth surfaces
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plastic material bonded in
the grooves and pits of back teeth for the prevention
of decay
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produced by the pulp in response
to tooth irritation
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the periodic interruption
or delay in breathing during sleep
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dental device that holds the
space lost through premature loss of baby teeth
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to connect two or more teeth
so they function as a stronger single structure
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extra tooth
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T |
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also called calculus, a hard
deposit containing bacteria and minerals that adheres
to teeth
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temperomandibular disorder;
term given to condition characterized by facial pain
and restricted ability to open/move the jaw
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the temporomandibular joint,
the point where the lower jaw attaches to the upper
jaw
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term given to condition characterized
by facial pain and restricted ability to open/move
the jaw
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insurance company, union,
government agency that pays all or a part of cost of
dental treatment
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early embryonic structure
that becomes a tooth
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a process to lighten the color
of teeth
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common bony growth on the
palate or lower jaw
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placing a natural tooth in
the empty socket of another tooth
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injury caused by a blow,
chemicals, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment
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gum disease characterized
by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See ANUG.
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U |
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a tooth that has not pushed through the
gum and assumed its correct position in the jaw
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V |
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plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly
to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.
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W |
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the third set of molars that usually
erupt when a person is 18-25 years of age
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X |
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decrease in production of saliva |
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