Question | Answer |
Abscess | a pus-filled cavity resulting from inflammation and usually caused by bacterial infection |
Aphthous stomatitis | canker sores or recurrent, painful mouth ulcers |
Benign | a mass (tumor) that is non life threatening |
Biopsy | Removal of tissue to study |
Black hair tongue | caused by bacteria or fungi in the mouth, the papilla is elongated and becomes stained which make the tongue appear black and hairy |
BWX | Bite wing x-ray (intraoral: within the mouth) |
Curettage | a periodontal procedure where your gums are scraped to remove bacteria |
Cyst | Fluid filled sac |
Dentifrice | Powder; paste or liquid for cleaning teeth |
Erosion | Progressive loss of the hard substance of a tooth by chemical processes not involving bacteria. |
Fluoride | A chemical solution or gel which you put on your teeth, the fluoride hardens your teeth and prevents tooth decay |
Frenectomy | Removal of the frenum to relieve ‘tongue tied’ |
FMX | Full mouth x-ray or full mouth series |
Geographic tongue | Bald areas on the tongue where there is damage to the papilla, make it look like a map, these are always changing |
Gingivitis | Inflammation of the gingivae or gums |
Glossitis | Inflammation of the tongue |
Hematoma | Blood filled mass |
Herpes simplex I | Cold Sores |
Impaction | A tooth that is unerupted from the jaw (aka. Wisdom teeth) |
Leukoplakia | A precancerous change in a mucous membrane marked by slightly raised and sharply circumscribed white patches that cannot be rubbed off. |
Malignant | a mass (tumor) that is cancerous or life threatening |
Mounting | Appropriate way to set up the x-ray for the dentist “anatomical” |
Nodule | small node or hard centered cyst |
Osteoplasty | Surgical repair of the bone |
Osteotomy | The surgical cutting or sawing of a bone |
OX | Occlusal x-rays |
PA | Perapicals or posterior-anterior or preparatory appointment |
PANO | Panoramic x-ray: also known as Panorex(extraoral: outside the mouth) |
Papule | solid raised lesion that has distinct borders and is less than 1 cm in diameter |
Plaque | a collection of bacteria |
Probing | Poking at the gums to measure the periodontal pockets (w/ a flexible instrument). |
Prophylaxis | Where the dentist or dental hygienist removes stains and deposits and polishes teeth |
Pulpitis | Inflammation of the dental (in root) pulp |
Pustule | small collection of pus in the top layer of skin |
Scaling | Removing deposits from teeth (such as plaque) with an instrument |
Supernumerary | Extra teeth |
Tartar | calcified deposits on the teeth |
Ulcer | Open sore on the mucus membrane |
Vesicle | Small collection of clear fluid (blister) |