Dental A-Z

A tranquilliser frequently used to allay anxiety in the dental surgery. The drug also causes amnesia so a patient will be unable to remember the experiences.

A volatile material used in dentistry to provide a protective film or sealant. The solution evaporates to leave a barrier against moisture or irritant substances and can be used under filling material to protect the sensitive dentine underneath.

A substance such as adrenaline used in dentistry to restrict the blood supply by making the blood vessels contract. This can reduce bleeding of the tissues after surgery and prolong the effect of the local anaesthesic.

A substance that enlarges a blood vessel to allow greater blood flow.

A layer of tooth-coloured material, which is attached to and covers the surface of a tooth. They are usually made of porcelain or composite resin. Composite resin veneers can be built up directly on the tooth, while porcelain veneers are made in the laboratory and are later glued (bonded) on to the tooth. A very small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth surface. This is usually completely pain free Subsequently, the veneer will be glued to the tooth.

The hollow areas between the cheeks and the outer surfaces of the teeth.

An extremely painful ulcerative gingivitis which can be very destructive. It is indicative that a patient is very run down and debilitated. The condition used to be referred to as "trench mouth" as it occurred in soldiers in the First World War who were exhausted from lack of nourishing food and sleep.

A tiny micro-organism that attacks and lives within the host cells and is not susceptible to antibiotic treatment.

The flow properties of a substance relating to stickiness. Low viscosity or low flow fluids being stickier than high flowing or thinner ones.

Used to describe a live or healthy tooth which reacts normally to hot or cold temperature changes.