Glossary

The arch is the shape assumed collectively by upper and lower teeth. The arch is formed by the curve of the crowns of the teeth in their normal position or by the residual ridge if the teeth are missing. ...Continue Reading

Anterior teeth are the six upper and six lower front teeth. The anterior teeth consist of Incisors and Cuspids (Canines). The upper incisors are the most prominent teeth in the mouth; the lower incisors the smallest. These teeth are shovel-shaped and have one root. Incisors are used to ...Continue Reading

An antibiotic is a substance produced by or derived from a microorganism (especially mold) that destroys or inhibits the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by organisms that are sensitive to them usually bacteria or fungi. An antibiotic is a s ...Continue Reading

An abutment is a tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or removable bridge which is a device used to replace missing teeth. ...Continue Reading

An allergy can be defined as an unwanted bodily response to a substance or organism. Allergies are caused by a complex combination of influences. Allergy or hypersensitivity is an abnormal reaction to protein substances that occur naturally. If an allergic person is exposed to these subs ...Continue Reading

Bite or dental occlusion as it is also known is the normal spatial relation of the teeth when the jaws are closed. Occlusion is influenced by three primary components teeth nerves and muscles and bones all working together to produce the best bite possible. Another factor which can affec ...Continue Reading

ANUG, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, is more commonly known as "trench mouth," as the disorder was common among soldiers during World War I. Although ANUG is painful, it is treatable.  Causes ANUG is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth, which is oft ...Continue Reading

Analgesia can be described as the absence of pain in response to stimulation that would normally be painful. Healthcare professionals often use this term to mean hypoalgesia a reduction in the intensity of pain that occurs in response to a normally painful stimulus even though the patien ...Continue Reading

Baby teeth also known as deciduous teeth primary or milk teeth are the teeth that children have due to the fact that infant jaws are too small to accommodate adult-sized teeth. To over come the fact that children grow smaller teeth are necessary until the jaw grows to its mature size. B ...Continue Reading

Absence of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is local anesthesia; with general anesthesia the patient is unconscious. There are three different types of anesthesia. These are local regional and general. Local anesthesia will only produce a numbing sensation and involves numbing a small ar ...Continue Reading