Aphthous ulcer:

More commonly known as a canker sore, an aphthous ulcer is a non-contagious sore or lesion that develops on the soft tissues inside the mouth. There are three different types of aphthous ulcers. The causes associated with aphthous ulcers vary considerably. Treatments and remedies are used to ease the pain and speed up healing time, although these sores do tend to heal well on their own.

Abrasion:

Abrasion is the loss of tooth structure caused by a mechanical or frictional force such as by tooth grinding, an improper bite, a hard toothbrush or poor brushing technique. The most common cause is the toothbrush. Abrasion can be prevented by using the proper brushing technique.

Abscess:

A localized infection of a tooth and/or the gum.

Abutment:

Tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or removable bridge.

Air abrasion:

Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, also a relatively new technology in dentistry that often avoids the need for anesthetic.

Allergy:

An unwanted bodily response to a substance or organism.

Alveolar bone:

The bone surrounding the roots of teeth.

Amalgam:

The most common material used for fillings, also called silver fillings; a mixture of mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings.

Analgesia:

Partial loss of pain sensation.

Anesthesia:

Absence of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is local anesthesia; with general anesthesia the patient is unconscious.

Anterior teeth:

The six upper and six lower front teeth.

Antibiotic:

A drug that stops or slows the growth of germs (bacteria).

ANUG:

An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, more commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, often brought on by stress and/or smoking.

Apex:

The tip of the root of a tooth.

Apicoectomy:

Removal of the root end of a tooth to treat an infection.

Arch:

Shape assumed collectively by upper and lower teeth.

Archwire:

Archwires are curved wire that extends through each bracket slot and into the band in either the upper or lower dental arch. They are made from: Nickel titanium, Stainless steel, Gold, Ceramic coated nickel titanium and stainless steel.