B | Dental Dictionary

Fort Wayne Dentist

1. band – metal ring cemented in place around a tooth to allow brackets to attach to the teeth
2. banding – orthodontic process of fitting and cementing bands to teeth
3. base – insulating substance used beneath restorations to protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature
4. benefit – payment for covered dental services by a third-party insurer
5. benign – a term used to indicate mild, non-threatening, or non-malignant
6. bicuspid – tooth located in front of the molars and behind cuspids
7. bilateral – term meaning both right and left sides are indicated
8. biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination and/or testing
9. bioinert – material property indicating it causes no physical reaction, such as inflammation or immune response
10. bite/occlusion – physical relationship between upper and lower teeth when closed
11. bleaching – whitening of the teeth, generally using a chemical oxidizing agent and/or laser treatment
12. block injection – anesthetic placed to cause numbness over a large area of the jaw and mouth
13. block graft – bone graft stabilized with screw, generally used to correct a large bone defect
14. bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces, orthodontic appliance seal
15. bonding – the process of attaching brackets to teeth for braces or restoring teeth with composite resin to repair tooth color or shape
16. bone atrophy/resorption – loss of bone in the jaw, commonly caused by periodontal disease
17. braces – orthodontic devices used to reposition teeth over time to correct misalignment, generally consisting of brackets and archwires
18. bracket – ceramic or metal piece cemented to the tooth to hold an archwire for orthodontic treatment
19. bridge/partial denture – a dental prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, generally attaches to surrounding teeth or implants for support
20. bruxism – involuntary grinding of the teeth, usually while sleeping, often causing tooth wear, sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain
21. buccal – referring to or toward the cheek