MALOCCLUSION:
"Bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth.

MANAGED CARE:
Program whereby patient-dentist assignment and dentist reimbursement is administered by a separate, external organization.

MANDIBLE:
The lower jaw.

MARGIN:
Interface between a restoration and tooth structure.

MAGD:
Masters Academy of General Dentistry.

MARYLAND BRIDGE:
Abridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth; requires minimum tooth reduction.

MASTICATION:
Process of chewing food.

MAXILLA:
The upper jaw.

MENISCUS:
Capsular cushion between temporomandibluar joint and glenoid fossa.

MILK TEETH:
Deciduous (baby) teeth.

MOLARS:
Three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.

MONILIASIS (THRUSH):
Opportunistic fungal infection after administration of antibiotic; not uncommon in the mouth.

MUCOGINGIVAL JUNCTION (MGJ):
Meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the friable mucous lining of the cheeks and lips.

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