A class of medicines used to control blood pressure. These drugs will cause gingival overgrowth in about 20% of the patients who are taking them.

Mineralized plaque. It is also known as tarter. After the soft sticky plaque has had a chance to sit on the tooth for a few days it will start to incorporate mineral salts from the saliva and form a hard deposit which can no longer be removed with simple brushing and flossing. It must be remove by a dentist or …

The large corner teeth. It is the third tooth from the center going towards the distal. These teeth are also known as cuspids or eye teeth.  

Ulcerations of the oral soft tissue. These are also known as apthous ulcers. They can be quite painful but are not normally harmful or contagious. They will usually resolve within a week. Any sore in the mouth which lasts more than two weeks should be evaluated by a dentist.

A type of pontic (false tooth) extension which is supported on only one side.

A restoration which covers the top of the tooth. It may replace some or all of the natural tooth crown and enamel.

A bacterial infection of the hard structures of a tooth. It is usually caused by the strep.mutans bacteria and affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth. If it is left untreated it will eventually infect the nerve or pulp of the tooth. If this occurs the tooth will either need a root canal or extraction.

Computed axial tomography: A type of x-ray which uses computer technology to generate a three-dimensional model of the area being examined. The computer software can then manipulate the image to create multiple views of the area.

A hole in the tooth caused by a bacterial infection called caries. Also know as decay or caries.

See cemento-enamel junction.