ARCHIVÉ Glossaire dentaire - Glossaire anglais-inuktitut-français

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Index alphabétique – Glossaire dentaire

Menu de navigation pour se rendre aux divers termes du glossaire classés par ordre alphabétique.

Lexique – lettre A Lexique – lettre B Lexique – lettre C Lexique – lettre D Lexique – lettre E Lexique – lettre F Lexique – lettre G Lexique – lettre H Lexique – lettre I Lexique – lettre L Lexique – lettre M Lexique – lettre N Lexique – lettre O Lexique – lettre P Lexique – lettre Q Lexique – lettre R Lexique – lettre S Lexique – lettre T Lexique – lettre V Lexique – lettre W

A

Abrasion: ᓄᖑᓂᖅ: nunguniq: Abrasion

The wearing away of a tooth, but this is not caused by grinding one tooth against another; it is most often is caused by not brushing correctly. If the teeth are scrubbed backwards and forwards, the toothbrush will eventually wear away part of the tooth. Abrasion looks like a little groove where the tooth meets the gum.

Abrosion (Micro-Abrosion): ᖃᐃᕋᓴᐃᓂᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᒧᑦ: qairasainiq kigutimut: Abrosion

This is similar to abrasion, but it is done on purpose to remove stains from the teeth. The dentist uses a special toothpaste to wear away a very small amount of the surface of the tooth. This is not the same as polishing the teeth because abrosion takes away part of the tooth. It is usually done to get rid of brown spots in the tooth.

Abscess: ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᔪᖅ: immatsimajuq: Abcès

Abscesses in and around the mouth are similar to those anywhere else in the body; they are an area that is infected. The most common abscess in the mouth is the Periapical abscess which occurs at the end of the root of a tooth.

Abutment: ᑭᒍᑎᖑᐊᑉ ᐊᑦᑕᑎᖏᑦ: kigutinguap attatingit: Pilier

A support. The teeth that support the ends of a bridge are the abutment teeth. This term can also be used to describe the teeth that support a partial denture, but this is less common.

Access: ᐊᖅᑯᑎᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᐅ ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᑦᔪᑎᖓᓄᑦ: aqqutiliurniq kigutiup ippinniajutinganut: Accès

To reach something or to make space. An entrance. A hole drilled in a tooth to get to the root canal is an access cavity.

Access: ᐊᖅᑯᑎᖃᕐᓂᖅ: aqqutiqarniq: Accès

The amount of room in the mouth. If a patient cannot open their mouth wide, the access (for the dentist) is limited.

Acid: ᐊᐅᓂᕈᕐᐸᓪᓕᐊᑎᑦᓯᓲᖅ: auniruqpalliatitsisuuq: Acide

A corrosive (harmful) chemical. Germs in the mouth make acid from sugar, and it is this acid which damages the teeth and causes cavities. Acid can also come from some foods (lemons, pop, etc.).

Acid Etch (Acid Etching): ᓂᐱᑦᔪᑎᑦᓴᖓ: nipitjutitsanga: Mordançage à l'acide

This is a way of sticking fillings to teeth (usually white fillings), but it can be used to stick almost anything to a tooth. The tooth is treated with a weak acid, and this makes the surface of the tooth able to soak up the glue used to stick on the filling. This way of sticking things to the teeth can also be called bonding.

Acrylic: ᑭᒍᑎᖑᐊᑦᓴᖅ: kigutinguatsaq: Acrylique

Plastic. The plastic used to make false teeth. Acrylic has many uses in dentistry but is best known as the plastic that false teeth are made from. It has been used for fillings, crowns, impression trays and splints.

Alginate: ᐆᑐᖅᑕᐅᔾᔪᑎᑦᓴᖅ: uutuqtaujjutitsaq: Alginate

A material used for impressions. Alginate is a powder made from seaweed (Algae = seaweed). When this is mixed with water, it very quickly sets to make a gel (jelly). When it is put in the mouth, it is runny and flows around the teeth; once it has turned to jelly, it is taken out of the mouth and the shapes of the teeth stay as holes in the jelly.

Alloy: ᓴᕕᕋᔭᐃᑦ ᐅᐊᕗᑎᖏᑦ: savirajait uavutingit: Alliage

A mixture of two or more metals. Alloys are made to change the properties of the metals; for example, pure gold is too soft to use for most fillings, so it is mixed with other metals to make it harder. The most common alloy is the silver and tin mixture used to make amalgam fillings. See Amalgam.

Alveolar: ᑭᒍᑦᓯᕐᕕᒃ: kigutsirvik: Alvéolaire

The bone which surrounds and supports the teeth. This bone may also be called the alveolar process. Alveolar bone can be destroyed by diseases of the gums; if this is not treated and enough bone is destroyed, the teeth get loose and might even fall out. When teeth are taken out, the body changes the shape of the alveolar bone and after a time, the body can remove all this bone. This can make it very difficult to fit dentures for a patient.

Alveolectomy: ᑭᒍᑦᓯᕐᕖᔭᕐᑕᐅᓂᖅ: kigutsirviijaqtauniq: Alvéolectomie

An operation done when teeth are taken out to shape the bone of the jaw, so that it will be easier to fit false teeth later. See Alveolar.

Amalgam: ᓴᕕᕋᔭᒃ ᐃᓛᑦᓴᖅ: savirajak ilaatsaq: Amalgame

Metal filling material. Amalgam is a mixture of silver and tin alloy and mercury. The alloy of silver and tin is ground into a fine powder, and when the tooth is ready to be filled, the alloy is mixed with mercury (another metal). This mixture is soft when it is mixed, but sets hard after about one hour. Amalgam is grey or silvery in colour but can be polished to make it shiny.

Anaesthetic (Anesthetic): ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᒍᓐᓃᕐᔪᑎ: ippinniaguniirjuti: Anesthésique

Anaesthetics can be general, which renders the patient unconscious, or local, when only a small area is "frozen." Both of these are used to prevent the patient from feeling pain while an operation is done. Local anaesthetics are used more in dentistry than in any other type of medical practice. Local anaesthetics are usually given with a needle in the gum next to the tooth to be worked on, and the drug soaks through the bone to reach the nerve of the tooth. In some areas of the mouth the bone is too thick for this to work and the injection is given at a place where it will stop the pain in a much bigger area. This is known as regional anaesthesia or a nerve block. Common examples are mental blocks and mandibular blocks.

Analgesic: ᐋᓐᓂᐊᓇᖏᑦᑐᑦ: aannianangittut: Analgésique

Painkillers.

Anchorage: ᓄᖃᖅᕕᑦ: nuqaqvit: Ancrage

When a tooth is being moved by braces, the braces have to be fixed (anchored) so that they don't move also. Imagine being in a boat tied to a rock on the shore by a rope. When you pull on the rope, the boat moves and the rock provides the anchorage. See Braces.

Angle: 1. ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ 2. ᓴᖑᖓᓂᐊ: 1. alliruup 2. sangungania: 1. Goniaque 2. Angle

1. The part of the lower jaw where the body turns up to the ramus. The corner at the back edge of the lower jaw.
2. Angle, E. H. The man who classified (in 1899) the various types of malocclusions. See Malocclusion.

Ankylosis: ᐊᑦᑕᑎᖃᓗᐊᕐᑐᖅ: attatiqaluartuq: Ankylose

A tooth can sometimes be stuck in the bone of the jaw by cementum and bone, instead of the ligaments which usually hold it in. This can make the tooth very difficult to take out. It often happens to first teeth if a permanent tooth does not develop to replace the first one. See Cementum, Ligament.

Anterior: ᓯᕗᐊ: sivua: Antérieur

The front. The front teeth may also be called the anterior teeth.

Antrum: ᐃᒧᔭᐅᑎ: imujauti: Sinus

The sinus. The air space above the upper teeth next to the nose is also called the antrum (of Highmore). Infection in the antrum can feel like toothache because the roots of the upper teeth are very close to the floor of the antrum. If the bone of the antrum is very thin, it can be damaged when a tooth is taken out, leaving a hole from the mouth to the antrum, an oro antral fistula. Sometimes a root of a tooth can be pushed into the antrum when the tooth is being taken out. An operation may be needed to get the root out of the antrum. See Fistula, Oro-Antral Fistula.

Apex: ᒪᓐᖑᖓᑕ ᐃᓱᐊ: mangungata isua: Apex

The very tip of the root of a tooth. The area around the tip of the root is the periapical region. Plural is apices.

Arch: ᑭᒍᑎᖃᕐᕖᒃ: kigutiqarviik: Arcade

All of the teeth and gums of one of the jaws. The teeth and gums of the upper jaw is called the upper arch, and the teeth and gums of the lower jaw is called the lower arch.

Articulation: ᓇᒡᒍᐊᑦ: nagguat: Articulation

A joint, or the way the bones move around the joint. The lower jaw has two articulations, one on each side: the temporo-mandibular joints where the mandible joins the temporal bone of the skull.

Articulator: ᖃᐅᔨᓴᕈᑎ ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐊᐅᓚᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ: qaujisaruti alliruup aulaninginnut: Articulateur

A tool used by dentists to copy the way the joints of the jaw work. Mostly used when false teeth are being made, the models of the teeth are put in the articulator so that the dentist can see how the teeth will meet together and how they will move when they are in the mouth.

Attrition: ᐊᓐᓂᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖅ: anniruqpallianiq: Attrition/Usure

The wearing away of the teeth by grinding one against another. This is the type of wear on the teeth most often seen in people who chew skins. It can also happen to people who grind their teeth in their sleep.

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B

Band: ᐊᕙᒻᒧᐊᔾᔭᐃᒃᑯᑦ: avammuajaikkut: Bande

A thin strip of metal or plastic that is fitted around a tooth.

Bicuspid: ᐃᖅᓯᕐᐸᕈᓯᖅ: iqsirparusiq: Prémolaire

See Premolar.

Bite: ᑮᓯᒪᓂᖅ: kiisimaniq: Occlusion

The way the teeth meet. In dentistry, to "take the bite" means to make a record of the way the teeth meet (using wax, usually). If a patient has no teeth, the same term is used to describe the method of deciding where the teeth formerly met.

The action of bringing the teeth together. When a dentist wants to check that a filling is not too big, he will ask the patient to bite.

Bite Block: ᐆᒃᑑᑏᑦ ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᖅᓴᐃᑦ ᐳᖅᑐᓂᖏᓐᓂ: uuttuutiit kigutinguaqsait puqtuningini: Mordu en cire

A piece of wax used when a denture is being made, which is carved to the shape and size the denture will be.

Bitewing: ᐃᖅᓯᕐᐸᓐᓄᑦ ᑕᕐᕋᓕᐅᕈᑎ: iqsirpannut tarraliuruti: Bitewing

An X-ray. Bitewings are x-ray films that show the teeth of one side of the mouth. The patient bites on a little paper tab that is stuck on the film. This type of X-ray is used to find cavities in between the teeth where the dentist cannot see. These films can also give an idea of the condition of the bone around the teeth.

Bleach: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᖃᑯᖅᓯᓴᐅᑎ: kigutinut qakuqsisauti: Blanchiment

A term used in cosmetic dentistry to describe the various methods of making teeth lighter in colour. This is not the same bleach used for laundry!

Block¹: ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎ ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᐊᔪᓐᓃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ: ipinniajjuti ipinniajunniiqtillugu: Blocage

An anaesthetic that blocks the messages passing along a nerve to a region of the body. A mandibular block, for example, blocks the pain messages from one side of the lower jaw.

Block²: ᓂᐱᔾᔭᐃᒃᑯᑦ ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᒧᑦ: nipijjaikut kigutinguamut: Blocage

A method of filling in unwanted spaces between the teeth either in the mouth or in plaster models of the teeth. This is usually done to stop something else getting stuck between the teeth. When a partial denture is being made, the dentist may block out the spaces between the teeth with soft wax to stop the impression from getting stuck in the mouth.

Body¹: ᑭᓂᕐᓂᖓ: kinirninga: Viscosité

Viscosity. A term used to describe how runny a material is. This is usually used for impression materials. A light-bodied material would be more runny than a heavy-bodied material. Light-body materials are used when the dentist needs to get fine details in the impression, because these materials will flow into all the grooves and pits of the teeth. Heavy-body materials give less detail but are used to support lighter materials.

Body² (Of The Mandible): ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐊᑖ: alliruup ataa: Branche horizontale

The part of the lower jaw that forms the "U" shape of the bone. The alveolar bone and the teeth are on the body of the mandible.

Bonding: ᓂᐱᔾᔪᑎᖓ: nipijjutinga: Collage

This is the method of sticking things onto a tooth. Anything stuck this way is said to be bonded. Bonding is used for white fillings, bridges, orthodontic brackets and veneers. The glue used is very strong and is usually set with a light. See Light-curing, acid etching.

Braces: ᐋᖅᑭᑦᑎᕈᑏᑦ: aaqittirutiit: Bagues

The springs, wires and brackets that are put on the teeth to move the teeth. Braces work by pulling or pushing some of the teeth into a different position. As the teeth move, the bone that supports them changes shape. When the braces are taken off the teeth should stay in the new position. Braces can be used on patients at any age, but it is much easier to move teeth in children.

Bracket: ᐋᖅᑭᑦᓯᐊᕈᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᑕᔾᔪᑎᖏ: aaqitsiarutiup atajjutingit: Bracket

Part of the braces that are stuck on the teeth to hold the wires that move the teeth. Brackets are small metal hooks.

Bracket Table: ᑭᒍᑎᓕᕆᔾᔪᑎᒃᑯᕕᒃ ᓵᑯᓗᒃ: kirutilirijjutikkuvik saakuluk: Plan de travail

The part of the dental chair that the dentists put their tools on. It is attached to the chair by an arm and can be moved around to be in the best place for the dentist to reach all the tools no matter how the patient is sitting.

Bridge: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ ᓂᐱᑎᓯᒪᔪᑦ: kirutinnguat nipitisimajut: Pont

False teeth. Bridges are false teeth that are permanently stuck to the natural teeth. There are many types of bridges but most of them are stuck onto teeth that have to be drilled (prepared) to let the bridge fit. There are two parts to most bridges: the pontic, which is the false tooth, and the retainer, which is the part that fits over the natural teeth. The natural teeth that the bridge is stuck to are known as the abutment teeth.

Broach: ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ ᐲᔭᐃᓲᑦ: ippinniajjutinik piijaisuut: Broche

A very thin tool that has many tiny hooks on it, used to take out the nerve from a tooth.

Brushing: ᑭᒍᑎᓯᐅᖅ: kigutisiuq: Brossage

What you have to do to keep your teeth clean! Brushing the teeth correctly twice a day is the most important thing in stopping gum diseases. It removes the germs and plaque from the teeth and gums.

Bruxism: ᓃᖁᓗᒃᑐᖅ: niiquluktuq: Bruxisme

Grinding the teeth together. Many people grind their teeth when they are asleep, and if this is not treated, they can wear a lot of the teeth away. Bruxism might be related to stress, but the reasons people do it are not known. Treated often with a plastic cover to protect the teeth at night.

Buccal: ᐃᖅᑎᖅᐸᒃᐸᓯᒃ: iqtiqpakpasik: Buccal

Of the cheek or towards the cheek. The skin on the inside of the cheek is known as the buccal mucosa. The surfaces of the teeth that face the cheek are the buccal surfaces, and a cavity in this surface is a buccal cavity.

Buccinator: ᐅᓗᐊᑉ ᓄᑭᖓ: uluap nukinga: Buccinateur

One of the muscles of the mouth. It is found in the cheek.

Bur: ᑲᐃᕗᑎᐅᑉ ᓴᕕᑦᑕᖓ: kaivuutiup savittanga: Fraise

A drill. Not the whole handpiece but just the cutting tool is the bur. Because enamel is so hard, burs are made of diamond or tungsten carbide, a very hard metal. Burs are made in many shapes and sizes, and each one is used to make different-shaped cuts in the tooth. A surgical bur may also be used to remove bone when a tooth cannot be taken out easily.

Burnisher: ᐃᓚᔭᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᖃᐃᑦᑲᔅᓴᐅᑦ: ilajaunirmut qaiqqassaut: Brunissoir

A tool used to make the surfaces of fillings smooth. It can also be used to make the edges of a gold filling fit very well against the tooth. The gold is rubbed (burnished) towards the tooth, and, because gold is soft, the edges can be pressed tight against the tooth.

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C

Calculus: ᑭᐅᑲᓚᔅ: kiukalus: Tartre

Hard deposits on the teeth. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, the plaque that is left on them goes hard; this is called calculus. There are two types. When calculus is above the gum, it is called supra-gingival calculus, and if it is below the gum, it is called sub-gingival calculus. Calculus is too hard to be removed with a toothbrush. Supra-gingival calculus is a yellow or brown colour and can be removed quite easily by the dentist. Sub-gingival calculus is much darker in colour and is more difficult to get off. Both types of calculus will cause gum disease if they are not cleaned off. See Scaling, Tartar, Periodontal disease.

Canal: ᓱᓪᓗᑯᑖᒃ: sullukutaak: Canal

A space running through tooth or bone.

Canine: ᑐᓗᕆᐊᑦ: tuluriat: Canine

Also known as the eye tooth or the cuspid. Counting from the centre of the teeth, the canine is the third tooth. There are four canine teeth in the first set of teeth and four in the permanent teeth. The upper canines are the longest teeth in the mouth. They start to grow a long way away from the mouth, and because of this, they sometimes do not come into the mouth in the right place and may need to be taken out. This happens most often in children who have had their first teeth taken out when very young, leaving no room for the canine teeth.

Cap: ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎᒧᑦ ᓯᒥᒃ: ikpinniajjutimut simik: Couronne

See Crown.

Caries: ᐊᐅᓂᖅᑖᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ: auniqtaarnaqtuq: Carie

Tooth decay. The disease that causes cavities in teeth. Caries is caused by germs in the mouth and sugar in the food. There are several ways of preventing caries. Keeping the teeth clean gets rid of a lot of the germs and also gets rid of food particles, which the germs break down to make acid. Fluoride helps to make the teeth stronger. Eating less sugar and drinking less pop means the germs cannot make as much acid to damage the teeth. Plastic coatings on the teeth also help.

Cast (Casting): ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᒪᓂᕆᓂᐊᖅᑕᖓ: aaqqiksimaniriniaqtannga: Moulage/Coulage

When a piece of metal is heated up enough, it turns to liquid and can be poured into a mould. Any piece of metal shaped this way is called a casting. A filling made this way is a cast restoration. Metal dentures (false teeth) are always made this way. The same term can also be used to describe anything that has been moulded by pouring a liquid into a solid mould. When a dentist takes an impression of the teeth, the plaster model he makes from the impression is called a cast.

Cavity: ᐊᐅᓂᖅ: auniq: Cavité

A hole in a tooth. Cavities are caused by germs in the mouth attacking the teeth (see Caries). A small hole in the enamel of the tooth can lead to a much bigger hole in the dentine which is underneath the enamel. A small cavity does not usually cause any pain. If a cavity does start to give pain, it may already be too late to fill the tooth. This is why regular check-ups by the dentist are so important. Even if there is no decay, any hole in the tooth is called a cavity. When the dentist fills a tooth, he takes away all the caries. What is left can be called a prepared cavity, which means that it is a cavity that is ready to be filled.

Cement: ᓂᐱᔾᔪᑎ: nipijjuti: Ciment

The glue dentists use to stick crowns and bridges to the teeth. Cements are made in many different ways and have several other uses. They can be used to build up the tooth underneath a filling, for temporary fillings, and to seal root canals. Most cements are made from a powder and a liquid which are mixed together by the dental assistant.

Cementum: ᒪᓐᖑᖓᑕ ᖄᕈᕕᐊᖓ: manngungata qaaruvianga: Cément

A thin layer of bone-like tissue that covers the surface of the root of the tooth. In the cementum are the ends of the ligaments that hold the tooth to the bone of the jaw. The layer of cementum can sometimes be too thick, and this is called hypercementosis.

Chart: ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᓇᓕᖅᑲᖏᑦ: kigutiit naliqqangit: Dossier

A map of the mouth. The chart that the dentist fills in shows all the teeth, missing teeth, fillings, cavities and any other problems the patient might have. The chart is a record of what work needs to be done for the patient and what has already been done. This record can be important for other reasons: many dead bodies have been identified from their dental charts.

Cheilitis (Angular Cheilitis): ᐃᕿᕐᓗᖕᓂᖅ: iqirlungniq: Cheilite

An infection at the corner of the mouth. This is usually seen in older people and appears as a red, sore area in the corner of the mouth where the lips meet. It is more common in people who have old dentures that are worn out, or who do not have any teeth or dentures. This lets the corners of the mouth fold in. This area is then kept wet and gets infected. There are creams which will cure this problem.

Chroma: ᑕᐅᑦᑐᐊ: tauttua: Chroma-Intensité

The brilliance or intensity of a colour. This is important when matching the colour of false teeth to natural teeth. If the teeth are yellow, for instance, the chroma is the amount of yellow in the colour.

Chrome-Cobalt: ᑯᕈᒻ-ᑲᐸᓪᑦ: kurum-kapalt: Cobalt/Chrome

The alloy used to make metal dentures. It is a mixture of Chromium (20 to 35%) and Cobalt (35 to 65%). There may be other metals in the alloy such as nickel. This alloy is very strong and very hard, but it is difficult to work with. Because it melts at about 1450°C, special methods have to be used to cast it and to polish it. It is not easy to bend. If it does get bent, there is a danger of breaking the metal when trying to fix it.

Cingulum: ᓯᕗᐊᑉ ᑲᑎᖕᓂᖏᑦ ᐃᓗᐊᓂ: sivuap qatingningit iluani: Cingulum

A bulge in a tooth near the gum. Seen on incisors and canine teeth on the side of the tooth that faces the tongue.

Clasp: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ ᐊᑦᑕᑎᖏᑦ: kigutinnguat attatinngit: Crochet

The metal part of a partial denture that goes around a natural tooth to hold the denture in. Clasps can be either cast, which means they are made by melting the metal and pouring it into a mould, or wrought, which means they are made by bending a piece of wire to fit around the tooth.

Cleft: ᐃᓂᖅᓯᒪᖖᖏᑦᑐᖅ: iniqsimanngittuq: Fissure

Split. When a part of the body does not come together properly when the baby is developing, there may be a gap when the baby is born. This can happen to the lip, the palate, the chin or the uvula. When the lip or the palate is involved, this can make it difficult for the baby to feed properly. This is treated by plastic surgery to close the gap. When the chin is involved, the result is usually a dimple. When it is the uvula, this can be called a bifid uvula. No treatment is required for this.

Cold Sore: ᐊᒻᒪᖅᑎ: ammaqti: Herpès buccal

This is a sore area on the lip caused by the same germ that causes herpetic stomatitis. It starts with a burning pain or irritation, then becomes a rash (a red area) which soon gets a scab (crust) on it. This infection can keep coming back, but there are creams which will help to heal it. Some things such as sunshine, fever or stress can make the infection appear again.

Composite: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᔭᖅ ᐃᓚᒃᓴᖅ: kigutiujaq ilaksaq: Composite

White filling material. There are very many white filling materials made for dentists now. Most of them are the light-cured type, which means they only set if a bright light is shone on them. This is very useful for the dentist because the filling can be shaped exactly right before it sets. The new composite materials can also be polished so they can look like enamel. Some fillings look so much like the tooth they blend in.

Compressor: ᐳᓪᓚᓕᐅᕈᑦ: pullaliurut: Compresseur

The drills that are used in dentistry are worked by compressed air. The machine which produces the compressed air is a compressor. It has a motor which squeezes the air into a tank; from there it can be delivered to the dental chair by a pipe.

Condensation: ᓇᕿᑎᕐᓂᖅ: naqitirniq: Condensation

When an amalgam filling is done, the amalgam has to be pressed into the cavity quite hard. Doing this is known as condensation; the tool used is a condenser or plugger. Condensing the amalgam like this makes it stronger and gets rid of any excess mercury from the filling.

Condyle: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐊᑦᑕᑎᐊ: alliruup attatia: Condyle

The part of the lower jaw that forms the joint. The condyle or condylar process has two parts, the head and the neck. The head of the condyle is the part that fits against the skull in the joint of the jaw, and the neck is the part that connects the head to the rest of the mandible, the lower jaw.

Core: ᑐᖓᕕᒃ: tungavik: Moignon

The foundations for a crown. When a tooth has decayed or broken so that only a small amount of tooth is left, sometimes it can still be saved and might not have to be taken out. A very big filling is difficult to do, so very often the tooth needs a crown. There needs to be enough tooth so that the crown can stick to it well, so if the tooth is very small, a core is made, over which the crown is fitted. A core is made by putting pins in the tooth and using these to hold a filling in place, but the filling will not be strong enough, so a crown is made to fit over it. Other cores are made by casting a piece of metal to fit in the root canal so that the crown can fit over the post and core.

Coronoid Process: ᑯᕋᓄᐃᑦ ᐳᕋᓯᔅ: kuranuit purasis: Apophyse coronoïde

The front part of the top of the lower jaw where the temporalis muscle is attached. This part of the lower jaw is important to denture wearers, because if the lower jaw is moved to the side as far as it will go, the coronoid process can knock the upper denture loose.

Cosmetic Dentistry: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᑕᑯᒥᓇᕐᓴᐅᑦ: kigutinut takuminarsaut: Dentisterie cosmétique

Doing things to the teeth so they will look different. Cosmetic dentistry is usually permanent. There are many things that can be done to the teeth to make them look different and, hopefully, better. These may include bleaching, crowns or veneers.

Crowding: ᓂᓐᓂᐅᖅᑐᑦ: ninniuqtut: Encombrement

Not enough space to fit all the teeth in the mouth. This can happen if a person has big teeth and small jaws, but it is more likely to happen to children who have had to have their first teeth taken out before they were ready to fall out naturally. When the first teeth are taken out too early, the permanent molars (which erupt at age six) drift towards the front of the mouth. This takes up some of the space for the other teeth which erupt later. In severe cases, there is so much space lost that the other teeth cannot erupt and may have to be removed by surgery. In milder cases, the teeth are not straight, making it difficult to clean them properly and difficult to fill them if they get cavities. Crowding can be treated by removing more teeth to make space or by orthodontics (braces).

Crown: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐅᓕᖓ: kigutiup ulinga: Couronne

A crown is an artificial (false) tooth that is fitted over a natural tooth when the natural tooth is broken or decayed. Crowns can be made from gold or porcelain or both. The tooth to be crowned is prepared by drilling it until it is shaped like a cone, and the crown is made in the laboratory to fit over this cone like a thimble.

Crown, Anatomical: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᖃᑯᕐᓂᖓ: kigutiup qakurninga: Couronne anatomique

The part of the tooth that is covered by enamel.

Crown, Clinical: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᑕᑯᑦᓴᐅᓂᖓ: kigutiup takutsauninga: Couronne clinique

The part of the tooth that appears above the level of the gum.

Curettage: ᑭᓕᐅᖅᑐᐃᓂᖅ: kiliuqtuiniq: Curetage

Scraping away infected skin from the inside of a pocket. This is done when a patient has gum disease. The skin between the tooth and gum is scraped to get rid of the infected parts, and this gives the gum a chance to stick back onto the tooth. It is difficult to do because the dentist cannot see under the gum, and it is impossible to know if all the infected skin has been taken off.

Cusp: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᖃᑦᓯᓐᓂᖏᑦ: kigutiup qatsinningit: Cuspide

If the biting surface of a back tooth is thought of as having hills and valleys, a cusp is a hill. The cusps of the upper teeth fit into the fossae (valleys) of the lower teeth, and the cusps of the lower teeth fit into the fossae of the upper teeth. This fitting together is called intercuspation. See Fossa.

Cyst: ᐱᕈᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᓂᕐᒧᑦ: piruqtuq immatsimanirmut: Kyste

An abnormal area in the body filled with liquid and lined with a skin; there is one type of cyst which is very rare that is filled with gas. Most cysts in the mouth start around a tooth that has not erupted. Cysts usually get bigger quite slowly and do not cause much pain; this is useful to help distinguish them from an abscess. Sometimes an abscess can change into a cyst, and sometimes a cyst can get infected.

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D

Decay: ᐊᐅᓂᖅᑕᓇᕐᑐᖅ: auniqtanartuq: Carie

Decay describes all the changes that occur in a tooth that is attacked by caries. Decayed enamel looks discoloured and is very easily broken. Decayed dentine looks yellow or brown and is soft. See Caries.

Deciduous: ᑭᒍᑎᕐᖓᐅᑎᑦ: kigutirngautiit: Dentition primaire

The term used to describe the first teeth. Also known as milk teeth or the primary dentition. Deciduous teeth decay more easily than permanent teeth so it is important that children not eat too much candy or drink too much pop. The deciduous teeth are important for the child to develop proper speech, to eat properly and to maintain the space for the permanent teeth to erupt in the correct places.

Dental Therapist: ᑭᒍᑎᓕᕆᔨᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ: kigutilirijituinaq: Thérapeute dentaire

A person who can do some of the things a dentist does. Therapists are not as highly trained and can only work under the supervision of a dentist. They work mainly in the schools treating children.

Dentine: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓴᐅᓂᐅᔭᖓ: kigutiup sauniujanga: Dentine

The hard bone-like substance that makes up most of a tooth.

Dentures: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ: kigutinnguat: Dentier

False teeth. Dentures are usually described as being either full (if they replace all the natural teeth) or partial (if they replace only some of the natural teeth). Most full dentures are made of acrylic (plastic), but partials can be either plastic or metal. Making dentures can take a very long time, and there are many steps that have to be taken before the false teeth are ready. First, an impression has to be taken of the mouth. This is used to make a plaster model of the mouth so that the false teeth can be made in the laboratory. The next step is to make a recording of where the teeth should meet; this is done with a block of wax that the dentist carves to the right size and shape. When all this has been done, the teeth themselves are set in a wax model of the denture so that this can be tried in the mouth to see if everything is fitting well. Only when the wax model of the denture is right is the denture made in plastic. Even after the denture is finished and polished, the patient needs time to get used to the denture and to have adjustments made by the dentist.

Diastema: ᐊᑯᓐᓂᖅᑯᕐᑐᔪᖅ: akunniqurtujuq: Diasthème

A gap between the teeth. It occurs anywhere, but it is usually between the front teeth, called a midline diastema.

Direct: ᖃᓂᖓᓂ ᑲᒪᒋᔭᖅ: qaningani kamagijaq: Direct

A term used to describe a procedure done in the mouth instead of in the laboratory. For example, a direct wax pattern for an inlay would be made in the mouth, but an indirect wax pattern would be made in the laboratory.

Disclosing: ᐃᑦᑕᑦᑎᕈᑦ: ittattirut: Révélateur

A method of colouring the plaque on the teeth so that it can be seen more easily. This is done with a red food colouring which stains the plaque so that the dentist and the patient can see where the plaque is. Patients can do this at home to check that they are getting rid of all the plaque when they clean their teeth.

Distal: ᕿᑎᖓᓂᑦ ᓯᕗᐊᓂᒃ ᕿᖑᐊᓄᑦ: qitinganit sivuanik qinguanut: Distal

Away from the midline. The back surface of a back tooth.

Drifting: ᓅᑉᐸᓪᓕᐊᔪᖅ: nuuppalliajuq: Migration

When a tooth is taken out, the other teeth can move into the space; this is known as drifting. Most often the back teeth move forwards into any space; this is mesial drifting.

Dry Socket: ᑭᒍᑎᖃᕐᕕᒥᓂᕐᓗᒃᑐᖅ: kigutiqarviminirluktuq: Alvéolite

A very painful condition that can happen if a tooth is taken out and the socket gets infected. After a tooth is taken out, the socket fills with blood which clots. If the blood clot gets infected, it breaks down and is lost. This leaves the bone with nothing covering it, and the bone also gets infected; this is very painful.

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E

Edentulous: ᑭᒍᑎᖃᖏᑦᑐᖅ: kigutiqangittuq: Édenté

Having no natural teeth. This term can be used to mean the whole mouth or just part of the mouth. If, for instance, a patient has no back teeth, they can be said to be partially edentulous.

Elevator: ᐊᐅᓚᔾᔭᐃᒐᓛᒍᑎ: aulajjaigalaaguti: Élévateur

A tool that looks something like a screwdriver. Used for taking teeth out.

Enamel: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓯᑎᓂᖅᐹᖓ: kigutiup sitiniqpaanga: Émail

The hard outer layer of the teeth. Enamel is the hardest tissue found in the body.

Endodontics: ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎᓕᕆᓂᖅ: ikpinniajjutiliriniq: Endodontie

Root canal treatments. An Endodontist is a dentist who specializes in root canal treatment. In root canal treatments, the nerve is taken out of the tooth and a filling put in its place.

Epulis: ᖃᑦᓯᑦᑐᖅ ᐃᒃᑭᕐᒥ: qatsittuq ikkirmi: Epulis

Latin for "upon the gum." A lump on the gum next to a tooth. These lumps are usually caused by irritation from the sharp edge of a cavity or scale on the teeth. They usually start between the teeth as a soft, red or pink swelling and later get firmer as they become more fibrous. They are treated by surgically removing them.

Equilibration: ᓇᓕᒧᒌᓕᖅᑎᑕᖅ: nalimugiiliqtitaq: Équilibration

If the teeth are uneven, some teeth will meet before the others when the patient bites. This can cause problems with the joints of the jaw. Equilibration is the term for grinding small areas of the teeth to make the bite more even.

Eruption: ᑭᒍᓯᓴᓂᖅ: kigusisaniq: Éruption

To break through the gum into the mouth. When a tooth first appears in the mouth, it is erupting. The first teeth to erupt are the lower front teeth at about six months of age; the last teeth to erupt are the wisdom teeth at about twenty years of age.

Excavator: ᐊᐅᓂᔭᐃᒍᑎᑦ: auniijaigutit: Excavateur

A tool used by dentists to remove decayed dentine from a cavity. An excavator looks like a tiny spoon. It is used to scrape away decay from a tooth. An excavator will not remove healthy dentine because this is too hard, so it is a very useful tool to use if the cavity is deep. A drill will remove healthy dentine, so the excavator is used instead to carefully get rid of the last little bits of decay so that the cavity does not go too close to the nerve.

Exfoliation: ᑭᒍᑕᐃᔭᕐᓂᖅ: kigutaijarniq: Exfoliation

The way teeth fall out naturally. The first teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth. For the permanent teeth to come into the mouth, the first teeth must fall out.

Exposure: ᐃᒃᑭᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑖ ᓴᖅᕿᔭᖅᑐᖅ: ikpiniajjutaa saqqijaaqtuq: Exposition

An opening through the tooth to the nerve. This can happen when decay destroys the dentine of the tooth (a carious exposure) or if the tooth is broken (a traumatic exposure). It can also happen accidentally if the nerve is very big and the dentist is drilling the tooth (a mechanical exposure). If the tooth has not been hurting and the exposure is very small, it can be covered over and will usually be alright. If the tooth has been hurting or if the exposure is large, the tooth will need root canal treatment or need to be taken out.

Extraction: ᑭᒍᑕᐃᖅᑕᐅᓂᖅ: kigutaiqtauniq: Extraction

Taking a tooth out. Simple extraction refers to a tooth taken out with forceps (pliers). Surgical extraction is when a tooth will not come out easily, requiring the dentist to cut the gum to get the tooth out.

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F

Face Bow: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᖕᓄᑦ ᐆᑦᑐᑎᑦ: alliruunnut uuttuutit: Arc facial

A tool used with the articulator to measure the distance from the upper jaw to the joints of the jaw and to the socket of the eye. It also measures the distance between the joints of the jaw. These measurements are used to set the articulator to the right size for that patient.

Fistula: ᐊᖕᒪᓂᖅ ᐊᖕᒪᓂᖃᕆᐊᖃᓐᖏᑦᑐᒃᑯᑦ: angmaniq angmaniqariaqanngittukkut: Fistule

An abnormal opening. See Oro-antral fistula.

Flange: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑉ ᓴᓂᕋᖓ: kigutinnguap saniranga: Bord

The parts of a denture that go from the top of the gum to where the cheek joins the gum.

Flap: ᖃᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᒃᑭᖓ: qauqsimajuq ikkinnga: Lambeau

The part of the gum that is lifted away from the bone when surgery is done. If a tooth has to be taken out, and the dentist has to cut the gum, the part that is cut and moved out of the way is a flap. May also be called a muco-periosteal flap (muco = skin inside the mouth, peri = around, osteum = bone).

Floss (Dental Floss): ᑯᒃᑭᓕᐅᑎ ᐃᕙᓘᔭᖅ: kukkiliuti ivaluujaq: Fil dentaire (Soie dentaire)

Thread for cleaning the teeth. Dental floss is used to get rid of plaque from places where a toothbrush cannot reach. It is also very useful for getting out meat that is stuck between the teeth. Dental floss should be used carefully so as not to damage the gums. Dental floss is made with or without wax and may be flavoured. All types work well, but waxed floss may be easier to get in between teeth if they are tightly together.

Fluoride: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᓴᓐᖏᓕᖅᓴᐅᑦ: kigutinut sangiliqsaut: Fluorure

Fluorine is a chemical in the same family as iodine and chlorine. Fluorides are chemicals made with fluorine; sodium fluoride is made of sodium and fluorine. When a child eats or drinks anything with a fluoride in it, the chemical becomes part of the teeth that are growing in the child. Fluoride strengthens the teeth. After all the teeth have grown, fluoride is still useful because it can strengthen the outside parts of the teeth. Fluoride that is put in the water is a very easy way to ensure children get fluoride in their diet. The ratio used is very small, 1 part in a million parts of water.

Fluorosis: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᓴᓐᖏᓕᖅᓴᐅᑎᖃᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ: kigutinut sanngiliqsautiqaluaqtuq: Fluorose

If a child gets too much fluoride this can cause white or brown spots on the teeth. The teeth are still strong. This can happen in some parts of the world because there is fluoride in the water naturally. In other cases it happens because the child is getting fluoride in the water, eating toothpaste or getting fluoride tablets given to them. All this fluoride is too much. The spots can sometimes be made to look better by a dentist.

Forceps: ᑭᒍᑕᐃᖅᓯᔾᔭᑎᑦ: kigutaiqsijjutit: Daviers

Pliers. The tool used by dentists to take teeth out. Forceps are made in many shapes to make it easier to grip teeth in different places in the mouth.

Fossa: ᐃᓯᖅᓴᐃᑦ: isiqsait: Fosse

In the hills and valleys of the surface of a tooth, a fossa is a valley. Plural is fossae.

Freeway Space: ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᐊᑦᑐᐊᓐᖏᓐᓂᖓᑕ: kigutiit attuanginniga: Espace libre

The space between the upper teeth and the lower teeth when the patient is at rest, usually about 2 or 3 millimetres. When a patient is relaxed the teeth do not touch. It is very important to keep this space when dentures are made so the teeth do not meet too soon.

Frenum: ᕿᓪᓗᑕᖅ: qillutaq: Frein

A little flap of skin that holds the cheek or lip to the gum. The labial frenum is in the middle of the gum, just under the lip.

Furcation: ᒪᓐᖒᑉ ᖃᓱᖕᓂᖓ: mannguup kasugninga: Furcation

If a tooth has more than one root, the place where the roots meet is the furcation. For a tooth with two roots it is a bifurcation. If there are three roots, it is a trifurcation. This area is often involved in patients with gum disease and is very difficult to deal with because it is hard to keep clean.

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G

Galvanic: ᓱᑲᓐᓂᖅ ᓴᕕᕋᔮᒃ ᐊᑦᑐᖃᑦᑕᐅᑎᒻᒪᑎ: sukanniq savirajaak attuqattautimmati: Galvanique

When two different pieces of metal are put in a liquid, an electrical current is made. This can happen in the mouth with aluminium kitchen foil. It can also happen when a new filling is not made from exactly the same metal as the fillings that are already there.

Gingiva (Gingivae): ᐃᒃᑭᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᒨᖓᔪᖅ: ikkiq kigutimuungajuq: Gencive

The gums. The gingivae are the parts of the gums that are tight on the jaw bone, next to the teeth.

Gingivectomy: ᐃᒃᑭᖅ ᐃᓇᓐᖓᖅᑕᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᒨᖓᔪᖅ: ikkiq ilanngaqtaq kigutimuunngajuq: Gingivectomie

An operation on the gums to remove part of the gum performed when a patient has gum disease. The gum is cut to get rid of the pocket between the tooth and gum.

Gingivitis: ᐃᒃᑭᓗᒃᑐᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᒨᖓᔪᒥᒃ: ikkiluktuq kigutimuunngajumik: Gingivites

A gum disease around the edges of the gum next to the teeth. Gingivitis is caused by not properly cleaning the teeth. Plaque that is left next to the gums irritates the gums. The first signs of gingivitis are red-looking gums that might bleed when the teeth are cleaned. Gingivitis can be treated by the dentist cleaning the teeth to get rid of any scale; then the patient must keep the teeth clean. If gingivitis is not treated, the infection spreads down the side of the tooth under the gum; after a time the teeth can get loose and might even fall out.

Gums: ᐃᒃᑭᖅ: ikkiq: Gencives

The skin that covers the jawbone and holds the teeth in. The same term is also used even if there are no teeth. To remain healthy, the gums must be kept clean. See Periodontal Disease.

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H

Hamular Notch: ᖁᓪᓖᑦ ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᑐᓄᐊᓂ ᐃᑎᖅᓴᖅ: qulliit kigutiit tunuani itiqsaq: Échancrure hamulaire/Hamulus

The area at the back of the upper jaw behind the maxillary tuberosity. An important area when dentures are being made, because the skin is soft here and the edge of the denture can make a good seal.

High Spot: ᐃᓚᔭᐅᓂᖅ ᐳᖅᑐᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ: ilayauniq puqtuluaqtuk: Prématurité

When a tooth is filled, the dentist puts more filling material in the tooth than he needs and then carves the filling to the right shape and size. If the filling is too big, the part that bites first is called a high spot. If the filling is still soft, the dentist can carve the high spot away, but if the filling has set the high spot may have to be drilled to remove it.

Hue: ᑕᖅᓴᖅ: taqsaq: Couleur

Colour. Teeth are usually coloured yellow, brown, blue or grey. The hue is one of the factors that have to be considered when matching false teeth to natural teeth. See also Chroma, Value and Shade.

Hypercementosis: ᒪᓐᖑᖓᓂ ᖄᕈᔪᐊᖃᓗᐊᕐᓂᖅ: manngungani qaaruviaqaluarniq: Hypercémentose

Too much cementum. The thin layer of cementum which covers the root of the tooth can sometimes grow very thick and hinder the tooth from getting out.

Hypersensitive: ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᖅᓴᕋᐃᓗᐊᖅᑐᖅ: ikpinniqsarailuaqtuq: Hypersensitif

Too sensitive. A healthy tooth has a nerve that reacts to things like hot and cold. If the nerve is damaged, it can get too sensitive and will overreact to hot and cold. This can be caused by a deep cavity or by a hard knock to the tooth.

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I

Impacted: ᓄᐃᒍᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᔪᖅ ᐊᐳᖅᓯᒪᒧᑦ: nuigunnaillijuq apuqsimamut: Inclus(e)

This is what can happen if a tooth does not have room to erupt normally or if it is not in the right place. Instead of the tooth coming into the mouth, it is jammed against another tooth or trapped inside the bone. Impacted teeth very often have to be taken out because they can damage the other teeth if they are left in the jaw.

Implant: ᓴᕕᕋᔭᒃ ᓴᐅᓂᕐᒨᖓᔪᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᖑᐊᒧᑦ ᐃᓂᒃᓴᖅ: savirayak saunirmuungayuk kigutinguarmut iniksaq: Implant

A piece of metal fitted into the bone of the jaw. An implant can be used as an anchor for a false tooth or false teeth. A hole is drilled in the bone of the jaw and the implant put in the hole. When the bone and the gum have healed, a false tooth can be screwed to the implant.

Impression: ᐃᓃᑦ: iniit: Empreinte

A mould of the mouth or part of the mouth. An impression is used to make an exact copy of the mouth in plaster. Impressions are necessary because there are some things that cannot be done in the mouth, so the dentist needs a model of the mouth. With the model made from the impression, he can make such items as false teeth, crowns, and mouthguards. Impressions are made using a material that will flow around the teeth and then set like a jelly so that the shape of the teeth are left as holes in the jelly. When plaster is poured into the jelly, it sets. The impression is then removed, leaving a plaster model of the teeth.

Impression Tray: ᐃᓂᓕᐅᕈᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᓪᓕᕋᖓ: iniliurutiup alliranga: Porte-empreinte

A tool for holding impression material in the mouth. When an impression is taken, the material is runny to start with, so the dentist needs something to hold the material in the mouth. Once the material is set, the tray is used to support the impression so that it does not bend or change shape.

Incisor: ᓯᕗᐊᑦ: sivuat: Incisive

A front tooth. Humans have four upper and four lower incisors in both the first teeth and the permanent teeth.

Indirect: ᖃᓂᖓᓂᐅᖏᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᔭᖅ: qaniganiunngittuq piliriyaq: Indirect

Used to describe something that is done outside the mouth. For example, if a wax model for an inlay is made on a model of a tooth and not on the natural tooth in the mouth, it is said to be indirect. See Direct.

Inlay: ᐃᓗᐊᓄᑦ ᓂᐱᑎᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐃᓚᔭᐅᓂᖅ: iluanut nipitisimayuq ilayauniq: Inlay/Incrustation

A particular type of filling. An inlay is usually cast and then cemented (glued) in the tooth. Most inlays are made of gold, but white fillings can also be used for inlays. The way of making an inlay takes much longer than a regular filling and is much more expensive.

Intercuspation: ᑲᓱᕐᓂᖏᑦ ᓇᒻᒪᑦᑐᑦ: kasurningit naammattut: Intercuspidie

The way the teeth meet together. On the biting surfaces of the back teeth, there are hills (cusps) and valleys (fossae). When the teeth meet, the cusps of the upper teeth fit into the fossae of the lower teeth, and the cusps of the lower teeth fit into the fossae of the upper teeth. Meeting like this is called intercuspation.

Interproximal: ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᐊᑯᓐᓂᖏᑦ: kigutiit akunningit: Interproximal

The space between two teeth. The surfaces of the teeth that are nearest to each other are the proximal surfaces; the space between these surfaces is the interproximal space.

Irrigate: ᐃᕐᕈᑐᖅᑕᖅ: irrutuqtaq: Irriguer

To wash. This term is used to describe washing a cavity or a root canal or a socket. Irrigation is done to wash away any bits of tooth or infected material and to leave the area clean. It is often done with saline (salt water), but in root canals, it is usual to use a chemical which will kill germs.

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L

Labial: ᖃᓂᖅᐸᓯ: qaniqpasi: Labial

Of the lips or towards the lips. The front surfaces of the front teeth may be called the labial surfaces.

Lamina Dura: ᑭᒍᑎᖃᕐᕕᐅᑉ ᓴᐅᓂᐅᓂᖓ: kigutiqarviup sauniuninga: Lamina Dura

The layer of bone that lines the socket.

Light Cured (Light Curing): ᖃᐅᒻᒪᖁᒻᒧᑦ ᓯᑎᓪᓕᑎᑕᖅ: qaummaqummut sitillititaq: Photo Polymérisation

Most modern white filling materials only set if a bright light is shined on them. Some glues are also made to work this way. This method of light-curing is something like taking a photograph: the light produces a chemical change in the filling, making it set hard. This is very useful for the dentist because he can shape the filling before it sets hard.

Lingual: ᐅᖃᖅᐸᓯᒃ: uqaqpasi: Lingual

Of the tongue or towards the tongue. The surfaces of the lower teeth that face the tongue can be called the lingual surfaces.

Lingula: ᐊᓪᓕᕈᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᔪᓐᓃᖅᑎᑕᐅᕝᕕᐅᓲᖅ: allirurmut ippinniayunniirtitauvvitsuuq: Lingula

A small piece of the bone of the ramus of the mandible (lower jaw) where a ligament is attached. It is an important landmark for dentists because the nerve to the lower teeth enters the bone just behind the lingula.

Lining: ᖄᕈᕕᐊᖅ ᐃᓚᔭᐅᓚᖓᑎᓪᓗᒍ: qaaruviaq illayaulangatillugu: Fond de cavité

A thin layer of material underneath a filling. Any cavity in a tooth destroys some of the dentine which protects the pulp. To stop the pulp from being irritated by the filling, a lining is usually put in to insulate the pulp. Some modern filling materials do not irritate the pulp, so they do not need a lining. A layer of material on the inside of a denture. Some patients have conditions which make wearing dentures difficult or uncomfortable; they might need a softer lining in the denture. These soft linings (or relines) are not as easy to clean as regular denture plastic and do not last as long, so special care is needed for them.

Ludwig's Angina: ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᔪᖅ ᐅᖃᖓᑕ ᐊᑖᒍᑦ: immatsimayuq uqangata ataagut: Angine de Ludwig

A severe infection in the floor of the mouth. The infection usually starts from a bad lower tooth and can quickly spread and cause enough swelling to stop the patient breathing. The treatment is to take out the bad tooth and give antibiotics.

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Malocclusion: ᐊᓪᓕᕈᖏᒃ ᐋᕿᒃᓯᐊᕐᓯᒪᓐᖏᑦᑑᒃ ᑭᒍᑎᖏᓪᓘᓐᓂᑦ: allirungik aaqiksiarsimanngittuuk kigutingitluunnit: Malocclusion

Any way that the teeth bite that is not "ideal." (Mal = bad, occlusion = bite).

Mandible: ᐊᓪᓕᕈᓕᒫᑦ: allirulimaat: Mandibule

The lower jaw bone.

Mandibular Block: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐊᕝᕙᖓ ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᒍᓐᓃᕐᑎᑕᐅᓂᖅ: alliruup avvanga ippinniagunniirtitauniq: Tronculaire mandibulaire

A way of giving a local anaesthetic. The injection is put in the back of the mouth and stops feeling in the nerve that goes to all the lower teeth on that side.

Masseter Muscle: ᑭᒻᒪᐅᑎ: kimmauti: Masseter

One of the muscles of the jaw. It runs from the cheek bone to the jaw and is used to close the jaw.

Mastication: ᑕᒧᐊᓂᖅ: tamuaniq: Mastication

Chewing. The muscles of the jaw may also be called the muscles of mastication.

Maxilla: ᑲᒃᑭᕕᐊᑉ ᓴᐅᓂᖓ: kakkiviap sauninga: Maxillaire

The upper jaw bone.

Maxillary Antrum: ᒪᒃᓯᓗᕆ ᐋᓐᑐᕋᒻ: maksiluri antrum: Sinus maxillaire

See Antrum.

Maxillary Tuberosity: ᐊᖂᑉ ᑭᒍᑎᖃᕐᕕᖓᑕ ᐃᓱᐊ: niaquup kigutiqarvingata isua: Tubérosité maxillaire

The part of the upper jaw bone behind the upper teeth. This piece of bone can fracture when the upper molar teeth are taken out. In some patients, the maxillary tuberosity is very large; this causes problems when trying to fit dentures. In some cases, it is necessary to make this piece of bone smaller with an operation.

Mental Block: ᑕᓪᓗᖅᐸᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᒍᓐᓃᕐᑎᑕᐅᓂᖅ: talluqpasikkut ippinniagunniirtitauniq: Tronculaire au trou mentonnier

A way of giving a local anaesthetic that freezes the front teeth of the lower jaw on one side. The injection is given near to the mental foramen.

Mental Foramen: ᑕᓪᓘᑉ ᓴᐅᓂᖓᑕ ᐊᒻᒪᔪᖏᒃ: talluup sauningata ammayungik: Trou mentonnier

A hole in the lower jaw bone that the mental nerve passes through. This is found between the roots of the lower premolar teeth. When these teeth are taken out and the bone around them changes shape, the mental foramen can be very close to the skin; this is a problem for people who wear dentures if the denture presses on the mental nerve.

Mental Nerve: ᑕᓪᓘᑉ ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎᖓ: talluup ippinniajjutinga: Nerf mentonnier

Part of the nerve that goes to the lower teeth. It comes out of the lower jaw bone through the mental foramen. If a tooth has to be taken out by cutting the gum, the dentist has to be careful not to damage this nerve.

Mercury: ᒨᑯᓕ ᓴᕕᕋᔭᒃ ᐃᒪᐅᔮᕐᑐᖅ: muukuli savirajak imaujaaqtuq: Mercure

A metal. Mercury is liquid at room temperature. It is used in dentistry to make amalgam, a filling material. Mercury is a dangerous chemical; if any is spilled, it must be cleaned up as soon as possible.

Mesial: ᓯᕗᐊᓄᑦ ᕿᑎᖓᓄᑦ: sivuanut qitinganut: Mésial

Towards the midline.

Mesiodens: ᑭᒍᑦ ᑕᒪᐅᓇᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ ᓄᐃᔪᖅ: kigut tamaunatuinnaq nuijuq: Mesiodens

An extra tooth. Sometimes people develop extra teeth which are called mesiodens. They are usually not full-size teeth. They can cause problems by getting in the way of the other teeth. Most mesiodens grow in the upper jaw and are usually in the middle. This can stop the front teeth from growing into the right place. For this reason, mesiodens very often have to be taken out.

Milk Teeth: ᐃᒻᒧᒧᑦ ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᓄᖑᓐᓂᖏᑦ: immumut kigutiit nungunningit: Dents de lait

The first set of teeth a child gets (also known as deciduous teeth). There are twenty milk teeth: eight incisors, four canines and eight molars. All these teeth are replaced by permanent teeth while the child is growing between the ages of six and twelve. The first molars are replaced by the permanent premolars.

Mobile (Mobility): ᐊᐅᓚᓂᖅ: aulaniq: Mobile (Mobilité)

Loose. Teeth that are loose are called mobile; how loose they are is their mobility. Dentists use a scale of one to three to record how mobile a tooth is. Three is very loose.

Molar: ᐃᖅᑎᖅᐸᐃᑦ: iqtiqpait: Molaire

The back teeth. Used for grinding up food. The third molar is the wisdom tooth. There are twelve permanent molars, three in each quadrant, and eight first molars.

Mucocele: ᓄᕙᖃᐅᑦ ᓯᒥᑦᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓄᑦ ᐳᓪᓕᖅᑐᖅ: nuvaqaut simitsimanirminut pulliqtuq: Mucocèle

Also known as a mucous extravasation cyst. This is the most common type of cyst in the mouth. It is usually the result of being hit in the lip and damaging one of the small salivary glands. Saliva leaks into the tissue of the lip and forms a little bubble. These can be cut out and do not come back.

Mylohyoid Ridge: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐃᓗᖔᖓᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᓴᐅᓂᖅ ᖃᑦᓯᖕᓂᖅ: allirup ilungaanganiiituq sauniq qatsingnik: Crête mylohyoïdienne

A small ridge in the bone of the lower jaw where the floor of the mouth meets the bone.

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Neuralgia: ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔪᑎᖓᓂᑦ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᔪᖅ: ippinniajjutinganit aanniajuq: Névralgie

A pain from a nerve.

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Oblique Ridge: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐃᓱᖏᑦᑕ ᖃᑦᓯᓐᓂᖏᒃ: alliruup isungitta qatsinningik: Crête optique

There are two oblique ridges (internal and external). They are ridges in the bone of the lower jaw where the body meets the ramus.

Occlusal: ᐃᖅᑎᖅᐸᐃᑦ ᖄᖏᑦ: iqtiqpait qaangit: Occlusal

The biting surfaces of the back teeth.

Occlusion: ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᑮᑦᑕᕐᓂᖏᑦ: kigutiit kiittarningit: Occlusion

The way the teeth bite.

Open Bite: ᑮᓂᖓ ᓇᓕᒧᒌᓐᖏᑦᑐᑦ: kiininga nalimugiinngitut: Béance

If the teeth do not touch anywhere when the jaw is closed, this is an open bite. It is usually the front teeth that do not touch; the patient bites together and only the back teeth touch. This is an anterior open bite.

Operculum: ᐃᒃᑭᖓ ᖃᐅᓕᖅᑐᖅ ᑭᒍᓯᓴᓂᖓᓄᑦ: ikkinga qauliqtuq kigusisaninganut: Opercule

A small flap of gum over a tooth that is erupting into the mouth.

Oro-Antral Fistula: ᐅᕈ-ᐊᓐᑐᕋ ᐱᔅᑐᓚ: uru-anturu pistula: Communication bucco-sinusienne

An opening through the mouth into the sinus (Antrum). This is usually the result of taking out a tooth where the roots go very close to the sinuses. Holes like this can heal if they are stitched as soon as the tooth is taken out. If the hole has been there for a long time, an operation is needed to close the hole.

Orthodontics: ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᓴᕕᕋᔭᖕᒧᑦ ᐊᑦᓱᖏᖅᑕᐅᓂᖏᑦ: kigutiit savirajangmut atsungiqtauningit: Orthodontie

Orthodontics is moving teeth using braces, and dentists who specialise in this are orthodontists. Orthodontics can be done at almost any age, but it is much easier to move teeth in children, since they are still growing. Orthodontics can take a very long time, and some patients must wear braces for two years or longer.

Osteotomy: ᓴᐅᓂᕐᒥᒃᐃ ᓚᓐᖓᖅᓯᓂᖅ: saunirmik ilanngaqsiniq: Ostéotomie

An operation to remove part of a bone. In dentistry, this is most often done for people having very large lower jaws. When they bite together their lower front teeth stick out past their upper front teeth. An osteotomy removes part of the lower jaw and moves the lower teeth back; sometimes the chin is made smaller as well.

Overbite: ᓯᕗᐊᖓᑕ ᐊᓪᓕᕈᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᐅᖓᓯᓐᓂᖓ: sivuangata allirunginnut ungasinninga: Recouvrement

The distance that the upper front teeth come down over the lower front teeth.

Over-Eruption: ᐊᓂᕙᓪᓕᐊᔪᖅ: anivalliajuq: Égression

If there is no tooth in the jaw opposite an erupting tooth, that tooth may continue to erupt more than normal and may finish up biting against the gum of the other jaw.

Overjet: ᓯᕗᐊᖅᑯᖅᑐᓂᖓ: sivuaqquqtuninga: Surplomb

The distance that the upper front teeth stick out past the lower front teeth.

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Palate: ᕿᓚᒃ: qilak: Palais

The roof of the mouth. The palate is divided into two areas: the hard palate and the soft palate. The hard palate is the front part of the roof of the mouth; the skin is very thin there, and the bone of the upper jaw can be felt. The soft palate is the back part of the roof of the mouth where there is no bone; this area can move when a person speaks or swallows.

Panorex (Panoramic): ᑭᒍᑎᓕᒫᑦ ᐊᔾᔨᓕᐅᖅᑕᐅᓂᖏᑦ: kigutilimaat ajjiliuqtauningit: Orthopantomogramme (Panoramique)

A type of X-ray. A panoramic X-ray shows all the teeth and jaws on one piece of film. A special X-ray machine is needed to take one of these pictures, but it is very useful for seeing buried teeth or broken jaw bones.

Papilla (Interdental Papilla): ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᐊᑯᓐᓂᖓᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᐃᒃᑭᖅ: kigutiit akunninganiittuq ikkiq: Papille

The small piece of gum in between the teeth.

Parotid Gland: ᐃᖅᓴᐅᑉ ᐊᑖᓂ ᕿᓕᖅᓯᓇᖅ: iqsaup attani qilliqsinaq: Glande parotide

A large gland that makes saliva. There is a parotid gland on each side of the face near the ear (para = around, otid = ear). This is the gland that gets swollen when someone has mumps. The parotid gland is connected to the mouth by a small tube (duct) that opens into the mouth on the inside of the cheek next to the upper first molar.

Partial: ᐃᓚᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ: ilainnait kigutinnguat: Partiel

A partial (denture) is a replacement for missing natural teeth. It might be one tooth or many. Any denture that replaces only some of the teeth, not all of them, is a partial. Partials can be made in metal or plastic. Metal partials are usually only made for people who have good teeth left, because the partial is held in by the teeth, and it is difficult to add another tooth to a metal partial. It is much easier to add another tooth to a plastic partial, so these are made for people who might need another tooth taken out.

Percussion: ᐊᑦᑐᓚᓂᖅ: attulaniq: Percussion

Tapping. A dentist might gently hit a tooth with a small tool to see if it is sensitive. If it is, this might mean that it has an abscess. Also the sound that it makes will give the dentist an idea how good the gum is around the tooth.

Periapical: ᒪᓐᖑᖓᑕ ᐃᓱᐊᑕ ᐊᕙᑖ: manngungata isuata avataa: Périapical

The area around the very tip of the root (apex).

Periapical Abscess: ᒪᓐᖑᖓᑕ ᐃᓱᐊᑕ ᐊᕙᑖ ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᔪᖅ: manngungata isuata avataa immatsimajuq: Abcès périapical

An abscess around the end of the root.

Periapical Area: ᖃᐅᒪᕋᔭᐅᑉ ᐃᒃᑭᖓ ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᔪᖅ: qaumarajaup ikkinga immatsimajuq: Région périapicale

On a X-ray, if there is an infection around the root, it shows as a dark area.

Periapical X-Ray: ᑕᕐᕋᖅᑑᑎᕋᓛᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᑦᑕᕕᖓᓄᑦ: tarraqtuutiralaaq kigutiup attavinganut: Radio périapicale

A small X-ray that shows the end of the root of a tooth.

Pericoronitis: ᖃᒧᕋᔭᐅᑉ ᐃᒃᑭᖓ ᐃᒻᒪᑦᓯᒪᔪᖅ: qamurajaup ikkinga immatsimajuq: Péricoronite

A gum infection usually around wisdom teeth. When a tooth first comes through the gum, there is a space between the gum and the crown of the tooth. Any plaque or food that gets in this space can cause an infection. This can be treated by taking the tooth out, cutting the gum, or with medication.

Periodontal Disease: ᐃᒃᑭᓗᑦᑐᖅ: ikkiluttuq: Maladies parodontales

Gum disease. When gum disease spreads down the side of the root of a tooth it starts to destroy the bone and ligaments that hold the tooth in the jaw. Many people suffer from periodontal disease; it is one of the reasons that a lot of teeth are taken out. Periodontal disease can be treated by different methods depending on how severe it is. Dentists who specialize in these treatments are periodontists. See Periodontium.

Periodontal Ligament: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᑦᑕᑎᖏᑦ ᓴᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ: kigutiup attatingit saunirmut: Ligament parodontal

The fibres that hold the teeth to the bones.

Periodontium: ᐊᑦᑕᑎᓕᒫᖏᑦ ᑭᒍᑏᑦ: attatilimaangit kigutiit: Parodonte

All the parts of the body that hold the teeth in: the alveolar bone, cementum, the gingivae and the periodontal ligaments.

Pin: ᕿᔾᔮᕋᓛᑦ: qijjaaralaat: Tenon

If a tooth has a very big cavity or it is broken, something is needed to hold the filling to the tooth. The dentist might put a pin in the tooth. Pins are actually very tiny screws that are put into the dentine of the tooth, and then the filling is put around the screws. Some cavities need three or four screws.

Plaque: ᖃᓂᐅᑉ ᓱᕈᕐᓂᖓ: kaniup sururninga: Plaque

A sticky layer of germs and very small bits of food that builds up on the teeth. Everybody has plaque, and it can be removed with a toothbrush. If it is left on teeth, it causes gingivitis first and then more serious gum diseases. It also causes cavities.

Plaster: ᖁᐊᑦᓴᔭ: quatsaja: Plâtre

Plaster (of Paris) is used to make models of the teeth after an impression is made. It is a powder that is mixed with water and sets hard like stone. It can also be used for taking impressions of the mouth (but not when the patient has natural teeth because it is too hard.) It is the same stuff that doctors put on broken arms and legs.

Plate: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᖅ: kigutinnguaq: Dentier

Another word for a denture.

Pocket: ᖁᐊᑦᓴᔭ: quatsaja: Poche

A gap between a tooth and the gum. Pockets are caused by periodontal disease. The infection destroys the bone and the fibres that hold the tooth in. The pocket is the space where these tissues used to be. Once a pocket is around a tooth, it gets worse. It gets deeper as more bone and ligaments are destroyed. If untreated, the tooth will loosen and fall out. Pockets can be treated in many ways depending on how big they are. They may just need to be cleaned out to get rid of them, or the gum might need to be cut.

Polyp: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓂᕿᖓᑕ ᐱᕈᕐᓂᖓ: kigutiup niqingata pirurninga: Polype

Pulp Polyp: If a tooth has a very large cavity but the nerve is still alive, the nerve can grow out of the tooth and fill up the cavity. Although this sounds painful, it is not, but the tooth has to have a root filling or be extracted.
Gum Polyp: A swelling on the gum. See Epulis.

Pontic: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᐊᑯᓐᓂᖓᓃᑦᑐᑦ: kigutinnguat kigutiit akunninganiittut: Pontique

A false tooth. The part of a bridge that replaces the missing tooth (or teeth).

Porcelain: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᒃᓴᖅ: kigutinnguaksaq: Porcelaine

Dental porcelain is not the same as the porcelain used for dishes and figurines; it is more like coloured glass. It is used to make crowns and veneers. It is one the best materials dentists have available for making natural-looking false teeth.

Post: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐅᓕᓐᖑᐊᖓᑕ ᐊᑕᔾᔪᑎᖓ: kigutiup ulinnguangata atajjutinga: Pivot

A metal rod put in the tooth to hold a crown. If a tooth has had a root filling and is badly broken down, a post is put in the root to hold a crown. This may also be called a post and core.

Post Dam: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ ᖁᓪᓖᑦ ᐃᖅᑯᖓ: kigutinnguat qulliit iqqunga: Joint postérieur

The very back edge of a full upper denture. The post dam is a little ridge on the denture that sinks into the soft tissue of the roof of the mouth. This helps the denture seal against the roof of the mouth and stay in place.

Preparation: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐃᓚᔭᐅᓂᒃᓴᖓ: kigutiup ilajauniksanga: Préparation

Any drilling that is done on a tooth. If a patient needs a crown, the work that is done to the tooth is the preparation. The same term can apply to the cavity itself. For example, a tooth that has been drilled for an inlay could be described as a tooth that has an inlay preparation. Many dentists abbreviate this term to "prep."

Probe: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᑕᒃᓯᑲᒍᑎᑦ: kigutinut taksikagutit: Sonde

May also be called an explorer. A sharp tool used by dentists to examine teeth. The probe can be used to find small cavities; it is pressed into the tooth, and if it sticks, there is decay present.

Prognathism: ᑕᓪᓗᒃᑭᐅᓂᖅ: tallukkiuniq: Prognathisme

A large lower jaw that sticks out past the upper jaw. People with jaws like this are said to be prognathic.

Prophylaxis: ᑭᒍᓯᕆᔨᒧᑦ ᑭᒍᑏᑦ ᓴᓗᒻᒪᖅᓴᖅᑕᐅᓂᖏᑦ: kigusirinirmut kigutiit salummaqsaqtauningit: Prophylaxie

Cleaning. A dental prophylaxis is scaling and polishing of the teeth. Using a medicine to prevent complications later. This may also be called antibiotic cover. See Rheumatic Fever.

Prosthesis (Prosthetic): ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑦ (ᓂᐅᓐᖑᐊᑦ ᑎᒥᐅᓪᓗ ᐃᓚᓐᖑᐊᓕᒫᖏᑦ): kigutinnguat (niunnguat timiullu ilanngualimaangit): Prothèse

False. Any denture is a prosthesis. The same word is used for a false leg or any part of the body that is replaced with something man-made.

Pterygo-Mandibular Raphe: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐃᒡᒋᐊᓪᓗ ᓄᑭᖓᑕ ᑲᑎᓐᓂᖓ: alliruup iggiallu nukingita katinninga: Raphé ptérygo mandibulaire

The area at the back of the mouth where the muscles of the cheek join the muscles of the throat.

Pterygoid Muscles: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᓄᑭᖏᑦ ᐅᓗᐊᒦᑐᑦ: alliruup nukingit uluamiitut: Muscles ptérygoïdiens

Two muscles of the jaw: lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid. These muscles help to close the mouth and move the lower jaw forwards.

Pulp: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓂᕿᖓ: kigutiup niqinga: Pulpe

The nerve of the tooth. The pulp is in fact more than just a nerve; it also contains blood vessels and connective tissue and the cells that make the dentine. These cells are very important if there is an exposure of the pulp by a cavity. If the exposure is small enough, the pulp can repair the hole in the dentine.

Pulp Cap: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓂᕿᖓᓄᑦ ᐅᓕᒃ: kigutiup niqinganut ulik: Coiffage pulpaire

If the pulp of a tooth is exposed (or nearly exposed), the dentist can sometimes put a layer of cement over it and it will recover. This layer of cement is a pulp cap. If the pulp is nearly exposed, but there is still a thin layer of dentine covering it, the pulp cap is called indirect. In this case, indirect does not mean the same thing as when used to refer to an inlay; it means that the cap is not placed directly on the pulp. With some of the new materials for bonding, pulp caps are unnecessary.

Pulpitis: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓂᕿᐊᒍᑦ ᐃᒻᒪᖕᓂᖅ: kigutiup niqiagut immangniq: Pulpite

Toothache. An inflammation of the pulp. If you hurt a part of your body very often there is some swelling. The pulp of the tooth cannot swell, so the pain is intense. The pulp of the tooth can be hurt just like any other part of the body—by hitting the tooth, breaking the tooth or getting the tooth too hot—but it is usually tooth decay that makes the pulp inflamed. Pulpitis can be treated, depending on how bad it is, by fillings, root canal treatment or extraction. If it is not too bad, the pulp might recover, so the tooth can be filled. If the pulp is too badly damaged, the dentist has to either take out the pulp and fill the root or take out the whole tooth.

Pulpotomy: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᓂᖀᔭᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓ: kigutiup niqiijaqtauninga: Pulpotomie

Removing part of the pulp. This is usually done in children if there is a large cavity in a tooth. Only the part of the pulp in the pulp chamber is removed. The pulp is left in the roots and a dressing put over the cut ends. This is done to keep the pulp in the root alive if it is not possible to do a root filling.

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Q

Quadrant: ᐊᓪᓕᕈᐃᑦ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᓐᖑᐊᖅᓯᒪᓂᖓ: alliruit aviktunnguaqsimaninga: Quadrant

One quarter of the mouth. There are four quadrants, upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. This system can be used to describe the position of each tooth. For example, the upper right first premolar is at the top, on the right and behind the canine tooth.

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R

Ramus: ᐊᓪᓂᕉᑉ ᐃᓱᖏᒃ: alliruup isungik: Bouche montante

The back part of the lower jaw that goes up to the joint.

Ranula: ᐅᖃᐅᑉ ᐊᑖᒍᑦ ᐃᒻᒪᓐᓂᖅ: uqaup ataagut immanniq: Grenouillette sublinguale

A cyst in the floor of the mouth. These are usually caused by a blockage of a salivary gland. If they get large, they can make speaking and eating difficult. Treatment is to cut the cyst out.

Recession: ᐃᒃᑭᐅᑉ ᓄᖑᓴᕐᓂᖓ: ikkiup nungusarninga: Récession

Gum recession is a condition where the gum pulls back from part of the tooth. This happens at the neck of the tooth, and gradually more and more of the tooth can be seen.

Relative Analgesia (R.A.): ᐃᑉᐱᓐᓂᐊᔾᔭᐃᒃᑯᑦ ᓯᓂᓕᕐᓇᓐᖏᑦᑐᖅ: ippinniajjaikkut sinilirnanngittuq: Analgésie relative

This is a method of controlling pain using a gas called nitrous oxide. The same gas can be used for general anaesthesia, but in relative analgesia the patient stays awake. The patient can control how much of the gas they breathe. The gas works as a painkiller.

Reline: ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᕐᓄᑦ ᑕᑎᓕᕆᐊᕈᑦ: kigutinnguarnut tatiliriarut: Rebasage

A new layer of plastic inside a denture. As a denture gets old, it sometimes does not fit very well. A reline is used to make the denture fit again. Relines can also be done in soft plastic if the denture hurts the patient.

Replantation: ᑭᒍᑎᒥᒃ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓯᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᖅ (ᐲᖅᑐᕕᓂᕐᒥᒃ): kigutimik aaqiksikkannirniq (piiqtuvinirmik): Réimplantation

Putting back a tooth. If a tooth is knocked out of the mouth, it can sometimes be put back in. The tooth has to be put back quickly and must not get dry.

Resin: ᐊᐅᒃᑕᔫᒃᓴᖅ: auktajuuksaq: Résine

Plastic.

Resorption: ᑎᒥᐅᑉ ᓄᖑᓴᐃᓂᖓ ᑭᒍᑎᑖᕐᖓᐅᑕᒥᓂᕐᓂᒃ: timiup nugnusaininga kigutitaarngautaminirnik: Résorption

When the first teeth are being replaced by the permanent teeth, the roots of the first teeth gradually get smaller by the process known as resorption. The roots are "melted away" by the body. This can also happen to permanent teeth, usually if there is an impacted tooth pushing against another tooth.

Rest (Rest Seat): ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᑉ ᐊᑕᕝᕕᖓ: kigutinnguap atavvinga: Taquet

A small metal tag on a partial denture that keeps the denture from pressing on the gums. When a metal denture is made, the dentist may cut very small notches in some of the teeth (rest seats). These are areas where the metal of the denture will fit into the teeth.

Retainer: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᐋᖅᑭᑦᑎᐊᕈᑎ: kigutinut aaqqittiaruti: Appareil de contention

A type of brace put in after the teeth have been moved, to hold them in the right place.

Retention: ᑕᑎᓂᖅ: tatiniq: Rétention

The ability to "hang in" or to stay in place. A filling must have retention to keep it in the tooth. A denture must have retention not to fall out of the mouth. For a filling, the retention is made by having the opening of the cavity smaller than the bottom of the cavity.

Retraction Cord: ᐃᒃᑭᒧᑦ ᐊᕝᕙᐃᖅᑎᔾᔪᑦ: ikkimut avvaiqtijjut: Cordonnet gingival

Very thin string that is put around a tooth to hold the gum out of the way when an impression is being taken. If a patient is having a crown made, the edge of the crown may be below the gum so that the joint does not show. To make sure the crown fits, the impression must be very accurate. If the gum gets in the way, retraction cord is used to gently push the gum away from the edge of the tooth.

Retruded (Contact) Position: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᑭᖑᒻᒧᑦ ᐊᔭᒃᑕᐅᓯᒪᓂᖓ: alliruup kingummut ajaktausimaninga: Position reculée

The position of the lower jaw when the teeth are touching and the lower jaw is as far back as it will go. The lower jaw can be pushed forwards and back. When dentures are being made, it is important that the lower jaw is back as far as possible so that the false teeth will meet properly.

Rheumatic Fever: ᐆᒻᒪᓯᕆᓂᖅ: uummasiriniq: Fièvre rhumatismale

A disease that can damage the heart. Any patient who has ever had rheumatic fever must tell the dentist before any treatment is done. This is very important for dentists to know! If the dentist does anything in the mouth that starts any bleeding—like extracting a tooth—germs in the mouth can go into the blood and travel to the patient's heart. This can sometimes kill the patient. Patients who have had rheumatic fever can get dental treatment, but they must take antibiotics before anything is done.

Ridge: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᑐᓐᖓᕕᕕᓂᖓ: kigutiup tunngavivininga: Crête

The bone and gum that is left after teeth have been taken out. May also be called the edentulous ridge. It is the part of the mouth that a lower full denture rests on. It is also the part of the mouth that helps stop the dentures from moving around too much. In older people, the ridge can be very small, because the alveolar bone of the ridge has been removed and reshaped by the body. This can make it very difficult for some people to wear dentures.

Root: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᑕᔾᔪᑎᖓ: kigutiup atajjutinga: Racine

The part of the tooth below the gum.

Root Canal¹: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐊᑕᔾᔪᑎᖓᑕ ᐃᓗᖓ: kigutiup atajjutingata ilunga: Canal radiculaire

The hole that runs through the centre of the root where the pulp is. The root canal runs from the apex of the tooth to the pulp chamber. Root canal treatment is the method of cleaning out the root canal and putting a filling in it. This is done to save the tooth if the pulp (nerve) is damaged. It is quite easy to do to the front teeth because they have one root which is usually straight; it is more difficult to do to back teeth because they have more roots which may be curved.

Root Canal²: ᐊᓪᓕᕈᑉ ᓱᓪᓗᑯᑖᖓ: alliruup sullukutaanga: Obturation canalaire, Obturation radiculaire

The term Root Canal is used to describe a filling in the space in the root of the tooth that the pulp of the tooth lies in.

Rubber Dam: ᑕᓯᔪᐊᑦᑕᖅ: tasijuattaq: Digue

A thin sheet of rubber that is stretched over the teeth to keep them dry and to stop germs from the mouth going into the tooth.

Rugae: ᕿᓚᐅᑉ ᒪᓂᕋᐅᓐᖏᓐᓂᖏᑦ: qilaup maniraunnginningit: Papilles palatines

Ridges on the roof of the mouth.

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S

Saliva: ᓄᕙᒃ: nuvak: Salive

The liquid the body makes to keep the inside of the mouth wet. Saliva is produced by the salivary glands and is very important to wash away bits of food and to keep food moist to help swallowing. Less saliva is made when we are asleep. This is the reason it is so important not to give babies bottles with sweet things in them when they are sleeping: with less saliva, the sugars stay on the teeth and cavities start very quickly.

Saliva Ejector: ᓄᕙᖕᒥᒃ ᒥᓪᓗᐊᕈᑦ: nuvangmik milluarut: Pompe à salive

The suction tube the dentist puts in the mouth to keep the mouth dry.

Salivary Gland: ᕿᓕᖅᓯᓇᖅ ᓄᕚᕿᔾᔪᑦ: qiliqsinaq nuvaaqijjut: Glande salivaire

There are many special parts of the body that make saliva. Some are quite large (the major salivary glands) and others are very small (the minor salivary glands). All of these body parts make saliva; some make thicker saliva, and others make saliva that is very runny. The saliva reaches the mouth along a tube called a salivary gland duct. If this duct gets blocked, the gland swells up.

Scale: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᕿᔪᓪᓕᕐᓂᖓ: kigutiup qijullirninga: Tartre

Hard deposits on the teeth. May also be called tartar or calculus. Scale is plaque that has gone hard. When it is hard, it cannot be cleaned off with a toothbrush; a dentist has to remove it using special tools.

Scaler: ᕿᔪᓪᓕᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐲᔭᐃᔾᔪᑦ: qijullirnirmik piijaijjut: Détartreur

The tools used by dentists to remove scale. These tools can be hand tools or they can be power tools, such as an ultrasonic scaler.

Scaling: ᕿᔪᓪᓕᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐲᔭᐃᓂᖅ: qijullirnirmik piijainiq: Détartrage

The various methods of removing scale from the teeth.

Sealants (Pit And Fissure Sealants): ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᖄᒃᓴᖏᑦ ᐊᒥᐊᒐᐃᑦ: kigutiup qaaksangit amiagait: Scellants

Plastic coatings for teeth. The surfaces of the back teeth are not smooth, so food and germs get in the grooves and cracks and cause decay. To prevent this, the teeth can have plastic put on them to keep the germs out.

Serial Extractions: ᐊᒥᓱᓂᒃ ᑭᒍᑕᐃᖅᑕᐅᓂᖅ: amisunik kigutaiqtauniq: Extractions en série

A way of taking some teeth out to stop the other teeth from being crowded. This is a planned removal of first teeth followed by removal of permanent teeth in places where the dentist can see that the teeth are going to be crowded. It is not something that can be done in every case, but it can help some children have straighter teeth.

Shade: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᑕᖅᓴᖓ (ᑲᓚᖓ): kigutiup taqsanga (kalanga): Teinte

The colour of the teeth. Many white fillings and denture teeth are made in various colours. The dentist must make sure that the shade of the false teeth or of a filling matches the natural teeth.

Sinus: ᐃᒧᔭᐅᑦ: imujaut: Sinus

The air space above the teeth and at the side of the nose. A spot on the gum where an abscess has burst through the surface. This may also be called a fistula.

Socket: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐃᓂᕕᓂᖓ: kigutiup inivininga: Alvéole

The hole in the gum where a tooth fits. When a tooth is extracted, the hole that is left is the socket. See Dry Socket.

Space Maintainer: ᑭᒍᑎᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᔾᔭᐃᒃᑯᑦ: kigutinut katijjaikkut: Mainteneur d'espace

A device put in the mouth to hold the space open for a permanent tooth. If a first tooth is taken out before the permanent tooth is ready to come through, the other teeth might drift into that space. A space maintainer stops this from happening. Some space maintainers look like partial dentures, and they can be taken out by the patient; others are like a piece of wire glued onto the teeth.

Spitoon: ᐅᕆᓗᕝᕕᒃ: uriluvvik: Crachoir

The little sink on the side of the dental chair, for patients to spit into.

Stomatitis: ᐅᖅᓱᕙᒃ: uqqsuvak: Stomatite

Inflammation of the mouth. There are many causes for this. The most common type of stomatitis is primary herpetic stomatitis. This usually affects young children and is caused by a virus. It causes small bubbles in the skin of the mouth which then burst, leaving painful yellow patches. It is usually accompanied by a fever. Stomatitis can spread from one child to another.

Stone: ᖁᐊᔅᓴᔭᖅ ᑭᒍᑎᓐᖑᐊᓕᐅᕈᑎ: quassajaq kigutinngualiuruti: Plâtre dur

A harder type of plaster. This is used for making models of the teeth. It is a powder that is mixed with water and then sets hard.

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Teething: ᑭᒍᓯᓴᓂᖅ: kigusisaniq: Faire ses dents

The word used to describe the time when the first teeth are coming into the mouth.

Temporalis (Muscle): ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᓄᑭᖏᑦ ᖃᐅᕐᒨᖓᔪᑦ: alliruup nukingit qaurmuungajut: Temporal

One of the muscles of the jaw. It runs down from the side of the head (the temple) to the jaw and helps close the jaw.

Temporomandibular Joint: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᓇᒡᒍᐊᖓ: alliruup nagguanga: Articulation temporomandibulaire

The joint of the jaw.

Thrush: ᑐᕋᔅ: turas: Candidose

An infection caused by the germ called candida albicans. Thrush appears as soft yellow patches on the inside of the cheeks or at the back of the mouth. It is not usually painful, and the patient may not even know it is there, but it can indicate there is something more seriously wrong with the patient. The same germ can also grow under dentures and at the corners of the mouth.

Tissue Conditioner: ᐃᒥᕐᒧᑦ ᒪᒥᓴᐅᑎ: imirmut mamisauti: Conditionneur de tissu

A type of soft lining for a denture. This is most often used if the patient needs new dentures, but the old ones are causing problems with the gums. To help the gums heal before the new denture is made, the old denture is lined with a tissue conditioner.

Torus: ᖃᓂᐅᑉ ᑯᓱᒐᖓ: qaniup kusuganga: Torus

An overgrown piece of bone. There are a few areas where this happens in the mouth: in the middle of the roof of the mouth (torus palatinus), and on the inside of the lower jaw (torus mandibularis). These pieces of bone are painless and do not usually need any treatment. Sometimes they can get in the way of dentures and have to be removed or made smaller by an operation. Plural is tori.

Triple Syringe: ᖃᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᕐᕈᐃᔾᔪᑦ: qanirmut irruijjut: Seringue à triple usage

The spray used by the dentist. This is used to wash and dry cavities.

Trismus: ᐊᐃᑦᑕᕈᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᓂᖅ: aittarunnailliniq: Trismus

Difficulty or stiffness when opening the mouth. This can be caused by many things: infection, injury, etc. The treatment depends on the cause.

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V

Value: ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᖃᑯᕐᓂᖓ: kigutiup qakurninga: Valeur

How light or dark a colour is. One of the factors to consider when matching false teeth to natural ones. See Chroma and Hue.

Varnish: ᐃᓚᐅᑉ ᑐᓐᖓᕕᖓ ᐊᒥᐊᒃᓴᖅ: ilaup tunngavinga amiaksaq: Vernis

Paint. Varnishes can be used for a lining under a filling or painted onto sensitive teeth to protect them.

Veneer: ᑭᒍᑎᒧᑦ ᖃᑯᖅᓯᓴᐅᑦ ᐊᒥᐊᒃᓴᖅ: kigutimut qakuqqsisaut amiaksaq: Placage

A cover. Veneers are used by dentists to cover teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers can be made of porcelain or composite and are bonded (glued) onto the teeth. Veneers can be used to change the colour or the shape of the tooth. They are not as big as crowns and are usually stuck on the front surfaces only.

Vertical Dimension: ᐊᓪᓕᕉᑉ ᐊᑦᑎᖕᓂᖓ: alliruup attingninga: Dimension verticale

The distance between the upper and lower jaws. An important measurement when false teeth are being made. If this measurement is wrong, the teeth will either be too big or too small.

Vincent's Angina: ᐃᒃᑭᐅᑉ ᐊᒥᕐᓗᖕᓂᖓ: ikkiup amirlungninga: Angine de Vincent

Also known as Trenchmouth or A.N.U.G., Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis. A severe and painful gum disease, it occurs in people who neglect their teeth. It causes very fast damage to the gums. It can be treated by cleaning the teeth and antibiotics, but the damage to the gums is permanent.

Vital (Vitality): ᑭᒍᑎᐅᑉ ᐃᑉᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᖓ: kigutiup ippigusungninga: Vivant

Alive. A vital tooth is one that has a healthy pulp (nerve). Non-vital teeth do not have live nerves—they are dead. Dentists test the teeth to see if they are vital by seeing if the patient can feel cold with the tooth. The dentist may also use an electrical tester which gives a very small electric shock to the tooth. Teeth that are not vital might need root canal treatment.

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W

Wax: ᐸᑎᐅᔭᒃᓴᖅ: patiujaksaq: Cire

The same substance candles are made from. Waxes are made in many different forms for dentists; they can be hard or soft, made in sheets or blocks or any shape the dentist needs. There are many uses for wax in dentistry, from making castings to taking impressions.

Wedge: ᐃᓚᓂᐅᑉ ᑕᑕᔾᔭᐃᒃᑯᑎᖓ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᑕᐅᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ: ilaniup tatajjaikkutinga aaqqitauliqtillugu: Coin

Wedges are little pieces of wood or plastic that are put between the teeth when a filling is done to help stop the filling material from spilling over the side of the cavity. They also push the teeth apart a little so that when the filling is set, there will be a good contact between the filling and the next tooth.

Wisdom Tooth: ᐃᖅᖢᒃᐹᖅ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅ: iqtukpaaq kingulliqpaaq: Dent de sagesse

The third molar. These are the last teeth to erupt into the mouth at about age twenty. If there is room for them and the teeth are straight, there is no need to take them out. Many people do not have enough room in the mouth for these teeth, and then they do need to be taken out. In other people, the teeth may not even grow. It is quite common for a patient to be missing one, two, three, or all of the wisdom teeth.