CALCIUM:
Chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves.

CALCULUS:
Hard residue, commonly known as "tarter," that forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control, often stained yellow or brown.

CANKER SORE:
Mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo, of ten to fourteen day duration.

CANTILEVER BRIDGE:
Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end.

CAP:
Common term for dental crown.

CARIES:
Tooth decay or "cavities".

CAST OR MODEL:
Reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold.

CAVITRON:
Dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth.

CELLULITIS:
Soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling, a potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate attention.

CEMENTUM:
Hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth.

CHART:
Log of dental or medical records.

CLASP:
Device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth.

CLEANING:
Removal of plaque and calculus (tarter) from teeth, generally above the gum line.

COMPOSITE RESIN:
Material composed of plastic with small glass or ceramic particles; usually cured with filtered light or chemical catalyst.

COSMETIC (AESTHETIC) DENTISTRY:
Treatments performed to enhance appearance; not a recognized specialty.

CPR (CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION):
Artificial procedures employed by a rescuer after cessation of breathing or heart stoppage.

CROSS BITE:
Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth; aka "under bite," as in Class III malocclusuion (prognathic jaw).

CROWN:
(1) The portion of a tooth above the gum line;
(2) Dental restoration covering all or most of the natural tooth

CURETTAGE:
Removal of diseased tissue from a periodintal pocket.

CUSP:
Mound on posterior teeth.

CUSPID OR CANINE:
The four "eye teeth".

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