Immediate denture
A technique where teeth are extracted and a denture immediately fitted in the mouth.

Implant
A false root usually made of titanium which is inserted into the jawbone, where it integrates with the bone and can be used to carry a crown or bridgework.

Inferior Dental Canal
This is a canal in the lower jaw (mandible) in which the inferior dental nerve runs and supplies the lower teeth and lip.

Incisal
Biting edge of an anterior tooth.

Inlay/onlay
A gold filling.

Intra oral
Small radiograph of the teeth.

Integrated (osseo integration)
This refers to the bonding of an implant to the jaw bone.

Kalsogen (Kalzinol)
Temporary filling material.

Lateral perio abscess
An abscess on the side of the root of a tooth.

Ledermix
Used as a sedative dressing.

Legend
Material used for cementation or filling purposes.

Lingual
Towards the tongue.

Mandibular nerve
The nerve that supplies the lower teeth.

Maryland adhesive bridge
This is where a false tooth is attached to adjacent teeth by means of “wings” that are glued to the adjacent teeth.

Mesial
Towards the front part of the mouth (or filling).

Metronidazole
Antibiotic commonly used to treat dental infection.

MO
A filling that goes across the top and front of a tooth.

MOD
A filling that goes across the top of a tooth and includes both the front and back part, (mesial and distal).

Mouth guard
Plastic appliance that fits over the biting surface of the teeth and protects them against trauma.

Occlusion
The way the upper and lower teeth bite together.

Occlusal
The top surface of the teeth.

OPG/OPT
Scan radiograph showing upper and lower teeth and jawbone.

Oro antral fistula
Communication between the mouth and the maxillary sinus.

Onlay
Filling or cast filling used to cover the surface of a tooth.

Orthodontic brace
An appliance that is used to correct misaligned teeth.

Overdenture
Fits over a root or retainer left in the jawbone. Used to assist in support and proprio reception.

PA
Small radiograph showing the details around the root area.

Palatal
Towards the centre line of the mouth.

Parapost
Preformed steel post used to support a crown in a root filled tooth.

Panavia
A dental cement.

Partial dentures
Dentures replacing some missing teeth as opposed to a full denture.

PBC
Porcelain covered over a gold full crown.

Periodontal ligament
The connecting ligament between a tooth and the bony socket.

Periapical
Area around the apex of a tooth-small radiograph showing details of the root and tooth apex.

Pericoronitis
Infection around a partially erupted tooth.

PGT
Prolonged gum treatment. Consists of more than one visit for scaling and polishing.

PJC
Porcelain Jacket crown.

Pin
Small pin placed in a tooth to support a filling.

Pocket depth
The space between the gum margin and the bone in a vertical direction. The greater the depth of a pocket the greater is the loss of supporting bone around the tooth. The measurement of a pocket in mm is used to gauge the degree of bone loss.

Pocket charting
A guide to the health of the teeth and gums by measurement of bone support around teeth.

Poly F
Permanent cement for crowns and bridges.

Post (crown)
Placed in a tooth root, and used to support a crown.

Pontic
Crown replacing a missing tooth attached to an abutment tooth, (part of a bridge).

Post Crown
A crown that is supported by means of a post placed into the root canal of a tooth, and to which a crown can be attached.

Precision attachment
An attachment that is used to ensure a precision fit between say a tooth crown/implant etc and a denture.

Pulp (nerve)
The chamber inside a tooth consisting of a collection of blood vessels and nerve tissue.

Pulpotomy
Partial nerve removal. Procedure mainly used in deciduous teeth.

Pulpitis
Inflammation of the pulp (nerve), a possible sign of infection.