Dental A-Z

The specialised study of children's dentistry.

The surfaces of the teeth adjoining the palate. Used by dentists to chart the position of a cavity or filling.

A form of dental shorthand used to describe individual teeth. The mouth is divided into four parts called quadrants, upper left quadrant, upper right quadrant, lower left quadrant, and the lower right quadrant. Each tooth in the quadrant is then given a name and a number (e.g. the two upper and two lower teeth at the centre of your mouth are called centrals or 1's). The numbers of these teeth, added to the quadrant in which they are placed, give a precise location e.g. the central on the upper right side of your mouth is called an upper right central or upper right 1.

A term often used to describe a panoramic radiograph of the teeth and jaws. Literally 'around the mouth'.

The disease of the tissues around the tooth. Plaque left at the neck of the tooth may cause an inflammation below the top of the gum. This affects the supporting structures of the tooth - the elastic (ligament) fibres that attach the tooth to the bone, and the bone itself. The inflammation will eventually destroy this attachment resulting in 'pockets' along the root of the tooth and finally a loose [mobile] tooth.

The tooth supporting structure that attaches the root of the tooth to the jawbone. This is a very complex structure which allows for microscopic movements of the teeth to ensure that mechanical stresses are evenly distributed.

The study of conditions which adversely affect the supporting structures of the teeth. In simple terms 'gum conditions' but in reality another most complex dental speciality.

The fashion of piercing the tongue with decorative jewellery. The fashion should not be encouraged as it is risky and unhygienic.

A film of bacteria and food residue that collects on the surfaces of the teeth.

The area around the neck of the tooth that forms as a result of the gum tissue becoming detached. Very deep pockets can develop which harbour bacteria and threaten the whole tooth attachment (periodontium) resulting in loosening and tooth loss.

Your bicuspids and molars. These are the teeth in the back of your mouth.

Teeth have to withstand very heavy demands during pregnancy. In the absence of excellent oral hygiene measures this can have a devastating effect on the teeth. A good balanced diet taken at regular mealtimes with plenty of calcium, vitamins and minerals are essential during pregnancy for both mother and developing child. It is not uncommon for the gums to become inflamed and start to bleed during the last six months of pregnancy. This is quite natural and is a direct result of the hormonal changes that take place within the body. A mouth rinse such as CORSODYL is a useful product to help reduce this inflammation. It is important to see a dentist at the beginning of the pregnancy, about two months prior to delivery and again when the baby is about three months old.

The bicuspids (two cusped) teeth set behind the canines and in front of the molars.

[see deciduous teeth]

The removal of plaque and surface stains with a paste carried on a rotating cup shaped polishing brush.

Prosthesis - an artificial replacement of missing teeth [e.g. a denture or a bridge] in the mouth. A dental prosthesis can be removable (denture) or fixed (crown or bridge).

The provision of artificial or false appliances which have been carefully designed to fit the hard or soft tissues of the mouth. Fixed prostheses can be used to replace the missing teeth and take the form of crowns or bridges. Removable prostheses are worn by those who have lost all of their teeth (complete dentures) some of their teeth (partial dentures) or by children to straighten their teeth (orthodontic appliances).

The term applied to those who specialise in the provision of fixed or removable prosthetic (prosthodontic) appliances to the teeth.

The soft inner structure of a tooth, consisting of nerve and blood vessels. It is contained in the pulp chamber which is the very inner part of your tooth containing nerve cells and blood vessels [also known as the pulp canal].

A rise in body temperature above the normal 98.4F (37C) usually as a result of an infection causing an increase in pulse and respiration rate.