|
Dental Condition Glossary
Buxism - the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth; mainly while the patient is asleep.
Bruxomania - constant "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake.
Calculus - the hard deposit, also referred to as "tarter," that forms on teeth due to insufficient plaque control.
Caries - a progressive destruction of bone or tooth.
Gingivitis - a disorder involving inflammation of the gums.
Gum recession - a condition characterized by the abnormal loss of gum tissue due to infection or bone loss.
Impacted tooth - a condition in which a tooth is unable to erupt normally because of it's position against the gum or bone.
Plaque - a thin sticky substance containing saliva, food particles, and bacteria that attaches to the tooth surface both above and below the gum line.
Periodontal disease - the inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone, and other tissues surrounding the teeth.
Periodontal pocket - an irregular deepening of the gingival crevice. It is caused when infection/disease destroy the ligament that attaches the gum to the tooth and the underlying bone.
Tooth abscess - an infection of a tooth, due to a collection of pus in the bone or soft tissue.
|
