Glossary of Dental Terminology

-AAbfraction- Wear, or notching, at the neck of a tooth at or below the gumline. Often sensitive, often accompanied by gum recession. Thought to be caused by excessive clenching or grinding. Requires bonding when too deep.

Abscess- A pocket or sack of pus and gas produced by an infection. Painful when pressure builds up.

Abutment, Implant- The part of an implant restoration that brings the height of an implant from below to above the gumline. restoration to be attached to the implant. Allows the

Abutment Tooth- An anchor tooth for a fixed bridge.

ADA- The American Dental Association.

AHA Prophylaxis- Antibiotic premedication prescribed by the American Heart Association to protect patients with heart murmurs, mitral valve

prolapse, rheumatic fever history, and other conditions from infections within the heart. See SBE.

Air Abrasion- A resurgence of an old technique whereby cavities are prepared with a device similar to a sandblaster. Such a "particle beam" works best on new fillings; old fillings and restorations are very difficult and time consuming to remove with this technique. The main advantage is that for many people, small to medium sized new cavities may be prepared without "novocaine". The noise is also much less than from a conventional handpiece.

Alginate Impression- A quick setting impression material used to make study models and some dental appliances. Sets in about 90 seconds.

Amalgam Filling- The traditional silver filling. Actually a mixture of silver, mercury, copper, and tin. Long lasting, but expands and oxidizes over time. Can slow down the decay process. Not esthetic.

ANUG-

Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly called

trenchmouth. Rare today because of higher hygiene standards, but still seen. Causes irreversible loss of gum tissue.

Apexification- A special type of root canal treatment used on young teeth to help them to continue to grow despite damage to the nerve tissue.

Requires changing an internal medicament about every 90 days and can take six to eighteen months to finish. It is generally a painless treatment.

Aphthous Ulcer- see Canker Sore.

Apicoectomy- A surgical root canal treatment used to seal the tip of a root when conventional root canal treatment has failed or is contraindicated. Usually a very straightforward treatment with quick recovery.

Autoimmune- Types of disease in which the body reacts against itself. Some types of arthritis fall into this category, as well as Sjogren's Syndrome.