Alloy   Silver-colored filling material; may also refer to a restoration (filling) Amalgam Silver-colored filling material (pic) Anteriors (incisors) teeth toward the front of the mouth; numbers 6-11 and 22-27. Bicuspids (Premolars) Teeth located between cuspids and molars. Numbers 4-5, 12-13, 20-21, and 28-29 Bitewings   X-rays of the crowns of top and bottom molars to show decay between teeth and under fillings. Bridge Teeth A non-removable, tooth-supported, metal framework that replaces one or more missing teeth with false teeth Bruxism Clenching or grinding of the teeth Buccal Tooth surface next to the cheek Calculus (tartar) Hardened plaque which builds up on teeth and requires scalling to remove (pic) Caries cavities, decay Cementum Calcified, tissue covering the root surface Chronological Record of Treatment (CRT) form in the paper records used to record all interactions with a patient Complete Mouth Survey (CMS) Multiple X-rays taken of the entire tooth structure. For an adult, approximately 16-21 films. Composite A tooth-colored filling material, also reffered to as a filling, used promarily for anterior teeth. (pic) Crown Caps put on teeth; gold, porcelain or a combination of both. (pic) Cuspids Canines or eye teeth; pointed teeth next to incisors. Numbers 6, 11, 22 and 27. Diastema An abnormal space or cleft between two teeth in a dental arch Deciduos teeth Baby teeth or primary teeth Dentin The main tissues of a tooth toward the back of the mouth Edentulous Having no teeth Enamel The hard, calcified substance which covers the crown of the tooth. Endodontic Root canal treatment for diseases of the pulp nad bone, bleaching discolored teeth, managing traumatic injuries to the teeth, and performing related surgery to help preserve the natural teeth in a healthy state Facial Surface of the toothnext to the lip Floss Floss is composed of soft strands of thread, usually, made of silk, nylon or gortex Gingivectomy A form of gum surgery Gingivitis   Inflammation of the gum tissue; a common, reversible gum disease (pic) Gingiva Gums Glass Ionomer A type of dental cement made up of Cacium Aluminosilicate glass powder and a liquid polyacrylic Halitosis Commonly known as bad breath may be due to a number of factors Impacted Describes a tooth not visible above the gum line Inactivation Process of placing a patient's record in "inactive" computer status showing that the patient is not currently receiving treatment Incisors (Anterior Teeth) Large teeth toward the back of the mouth. Number 1-3, 14-16, 17-19 and 30-32. Occlusal The chewing or grinding surface of a back tooth Onlays Porcelain or gold restorations covering at least one cusp of the tooth (pic) Operative Dentistry The restoring of decayed and broken teeth with silver, gold and tooth-colored materials. Orthodontics   Straightening teeth and treating problems related to growth and development ofthe jaws Pantomograph A single large x-ray of the jaws; the x raymachine rotates around the patient's head include the upper and lower whole jaw. Periodontics   Periodontics is the branch of dentistry which deals with the diagnostics treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the tooth root, and the supporting bone, ligament and surrounding tissues (gums) of the teeth. The goal of periodontal therapy is to preserve the natural dentition in health and comfortable function Plaque Deposits of bacteria and debris which collect on the teeth (pic) Pocket Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth; bacteria can enter here, causing gum disease. Premolars (Posterior Teeth) Teeth located between cuspids and molars numbers 4-5, 12-13, 20-21, and 28-29. Prophylaxis Prophy, a basic teeth cleaning Prosthodontics Involves design, construction, and fitting of crowns, fixed bridges, immediate, complete, and partial dentures to replace missing teeth and restore oral structures Pulp   The "nerve". The vital tissue in the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. Pulpotomy Endodontic treatment on a deciduous tooth Radiographs X-rays Recall Appointment for a patient who is returning for a general check-up or a specific exam in one department Restoration Filling used to restore the tooth Root Canal Space within the root of a tooth in which the nerve and blood supply is located Scaling The cleaning of the teeth to remove calculus Sealants Plastic coating applied to grooves of teeth to prevent decay (pic) Screening Brief check of a patient's mouth to determine basic needs and appropriatearea for future scheduling Sulcus The normal space beetween the gum tissue and the tooth Tre atment Plan A list of interventions (treatment choises) to correct dental problems and a cost estimate Veneer A porcelain facing placed on an anterior tooth (pic)