| BICUSPID OR PRE-MOLAR:
Transitional teeth behind the cuspids.
BIFURCATION (TRIFURCATION):
Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth.
BIOPSY:
Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination.
BITE:
Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion).
BITE WINGS:
Caries (decay) detection x-rays.
BLACK HAIRY TONGUE:
Elongated papillae on the tongue, promoting the growth of microorganisms.
BLEACHING:
Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect.
BLOCK INJECTION:
Anesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw; a mandibular block injection produce numbness of the lower jaw, teeth, half the tongue.
BONDING:
Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth.
BONE RESORPTION:
Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum disease).
BRACES:
Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment.
BRIDGE:
Stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space; replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space.
BRUXISM:
Grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep.
BRUXOMANIA:
Persistent "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake. < previous page | next page > |
