Deciduous

First or “baby” teeth.

Dentatus screw post

A post made of a brass like material often used for supporting temporary crowns.

Dentine

The tooth structure covered by the tooth enamel, it is less dense than enamel and less resistant to decay.

Diastema

Gap between front teeth.

Difflam

Antiseptic and anti inflammatory mouth rinse.

Distal

Towards the back of the mouth.

DO

A filling extending across the top and back of a tooth.

Dry Socket

This is a condition that can occur after an extraction leading to a painful infection in the tooth socket.

Duraphat

Varnish used to desensitise teeth.

Durelon

Permanent dental cement.

Dycal

Sedative cement lining material used under a filling.

Dyract

Temporary filling material

Endomethasone

A formaldehyde material used in root fillings, it is irritant if it goes through the root apex and although widely used by general dentists it is not used by endodontists for this reason.

Elevator

Dental instrument used to assist in the extraction of teeth or often roots by loosening them.

Exposure

A term applied to the penetration into the pulp of the tooth either by the progress of untreated decay or the dental drill.

Fissure sealing

The filling of the crevices in the surface of a premolar or molar tooth with a filling material, this helps prevent decay starting.

Flagyl

Antibiotic specifically used in gum infections.

Furcation

The area where the roots divide in a tooth. If bone levels are at the furcation area the prognosis for a tooth is questionable.

Fuji

Cement: used for permanently cementing crowns and bridges.

Full Lower

A complete lower denture where all the teeth have been extracted.

Gingivectomy

Removal of gum pocket or excess gum surgically.

Glass Ionomer

Restorative material that can be used as a lining under fillings or as a filling material in positions where compressive or abrasive forces are light.

GP

Gutta percha used to obdurate root canals.

Hemisectomy

Removal of the (infected) root of a multi rooted tooth.

Hypocal

A material widely used for sterilising the root canal, it contains calcium hydroxide.

Hypoplasia

Developmental defect of the teeth. Often manifests itself as spots or discoloured areas on the teeth.