ANampa Dentist abscess – severe and/or chronic localized inflammation in the gum tissue or at the tooth root that usually presents with infection, swelling, pain, and pus, and can cause damage to surrounding teeth and bone if left untreatedabutment – a natural tooth or dental implant that is used to support a fixed or removable dental prosthesisacid etching – preparation of tooth enamel or dentin surface by the use of an acidic chemical to ensure successful bondingacrylic resin – compound that may be used to fabricate dental prosthetics, such as denture teeth and crownsADA – American Dental Association, an organization of professional dentists within the United States, commonly known for providing public dental health educationadhesion – part of the bonding process, characterized by chemical or physical agents connecting two or more surfaces with or without the use of adhesiveadhesive – any substance that causes two or more surfaces to maintain connection with one another for an indefinite period of timeair abrasion – the use of a tool that blasts air and abrasive material at a tooth to remove small amounts of tooth structurealloy/amalgam – compound made up of two or more elements and containing properties not found in the individual elementsalveolar – part of the jaw bone where teeth are anchoredanesthesia (local) – medication used to block pain in one area for treatmentanesthesia (general) – medication used to induce partial or complete unconsciousness during treatmentanterior – refers to teeth or tissues in the front part of the mouthANUG – Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, a condition characterized by small ulcers in the gums and aggravated by stress or smokingapex – tip of the tooth rootapicoectomy – surgical amputation of a tooth root to treat a dead toothappliance – oral device such as braces, mouth guards, or retainersarch – curved structure of upper or lower teetharchwire – metal wire used in braces to guide teeth into proper alignmentarthrogram – diagnostic x-ray involving injection of contrast dye into joint to view the bone structuresartificial crown – prosthetic tooth restoration that covers or replaces a tooth, may attach to partial tooth or dental implantattrition – natural wear causing loss of structureaugmentation – procedure that treats a deficiency of soft tissue or bone structureavulsion/evulsion – removal of tooth from socket due to trauma