Glossary

Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis and erythema migrans) is a descriptive term applied to a map-like appearance of the tongue resulting from irregular exposed patches on its surface. The healthy tongue is a mass of muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane. On ...Continue Reading

A dental explorer also known as a dental pick is the instrument that dentists use to look for signs of tooth decay. Explorers are used to examine the tooth surface for minute breaks pits and fissures. These dental picks are usually of stainless steel construction with curved or straight ...Continue Reading

An important step in maintaining a healthy smile is to replace missing teeth. When teeth are missing the remaining ones can change position by drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of position can damage tissues in the mouth. In addition it may be difficult to clean tho ...Continue Reading

Forceps are instruments used in dentistry for grasping holding firmly and applying pressure to objects. In oral surgery exodonita forceps are used to remove a tooth forcefully and transfer forceps are used to safely move instruments from the sterilizer to the tray. The handles of forcep ...Continue Reading

Photo: Daemon660 When an oral frenulum--a fold of tissue or muscle connecting the lips, cheek, or tongue to the jawbone--causes impairment, a frenectomy, which is the removal of the extra tissue, might be ...Continue Reading

Denturism is the production and sale of dentures by non-dentists. Since its origin around 1860 dentistry has grown and diversified into many branches and specialties. This evolution has resulted in the field of Denturism which is comprised of professionals (Denturists) who specialize in the ...Continue Reading

Flap surgery can be described as the loosening of the gum from bone to expose and clean underlying tooth structures. In advanced periodontal disease when scaling and root planing have been unsuccessful in eliminating the entire pocket of decay or when there has been bone loss that needs ...Continue Reading

Extraction is the term given to a tooth extraction and can also be known as Exodontia. Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Extraction of a tooth can be performed for any number of reasons including positional structural or economic reasons. Teeth are ...Continue Reading

Gaps between teeth can occur naturally or when teeth have been lost. The term Diastema is used to describe open spaces between the upper incisors (front teeth). A Diastema is created by an unequal relationship between the size of the teeth and the jaw. Occasionally the pulling action of ...Continue Reading

When a tooth or teeth come through the gum line it is known as tooth eruption and is a normal process of the body. The first set of teeth a child has is called the primary or deciduous teeth. As a child loses the primary teeth the second set of teeth known as the permanent or secondary t ...Continue Reading