Abrasion:
loss of tooth structure caused
by a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique, or Bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth).
Abscess:
an
infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone
Abutment:
tooth
or teeth that support a fixed or removable bridge
Adhesive dentistry:
contemporary term for dental restorations that involve "bonding" of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural
teeth
Air abrasion:
removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the
need for anesthetic
Allergy:
unfavorable
systemic response to a foreign substance or drug
Alveolar bone:
the jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth
Amalgam:
a most common filling material, also known as "silver
fillings,"containing mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings
Analgesia:
a state of pain relief; an agent lessening pain
Anesthesia:
partial
or complete elimination of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is an example of local anesthesia; general anesthesia produces
partial or complete unconsciousness
Anterior teeth:
the six upper or
six lower front teeth
Antibiotic:
a drug that stops or slows the growth
of bacteria
ANUG:
an acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis,
commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease, aggravated by stress and/or smoking
Apex:
the tip of the root of a tooth
Apicoectomy:
surgical
removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth
Arch :
describes the alignment
of the upper or lower teeth
Attrition:
loss of structure due to natural
wear 
