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bite plane

a fixed appliance made of acrylic used to correct crossbites

bite registration

normal relationship between the maxillary and mandibular dental arches in occlusion as represented by an impression material

bite rims

rims built on the baseplate to register vertical dimension and the occlusal relationship of the mandibular and maxillary arches

bite-wing radiographs

intraoral films that show only the coronal portions of opposing teeth in the biting position on the same film

bleaching

the use of chemical oxidizing agents to lighten discolored teeth

bleeding index

assessment of the presence or absence of bleeding made by inserting a periodontal probe into the sulcus

bloodborne

disease transmission through contact with blood or body fluids that are contaminated with blood

bolus

the mass of food that passes from the mouth into the pharynx

bonding

the force by which a substance is secured in intimate contact with another substance

a special form of insurance that reimburses the employer for a loss resulting from theft of funds by an employee

dentin bonding

establishment of a micromechanical bond between cut dentin and the bonding agent

enamel bonding

establishment of a mechanical bond between etched enamel and the resin restorative or luting material

border-molding

using the fingers to achieve closer adaptation of the edges of an impression

bracket

a small device attached to the teeth that holds the arch wire to the teeth

bridge

a fixed prosthetic device consisting of artificial teeth (pontics) that are supported by attaching them to abutment teeth

bristle brush

an attachment to the handpiece to remove stain from occlusal surfaces of the teeth

barbed broach

an endodontic instrument with barbs protruding from a metal shaft that is used to remove pulpal tissue

bruxism

the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth that damages both tooth surface and periodontal tissues

buccal

of, or pertaining to, the cheek

buccal tube

a tube to hold an arch wire placed on the buccal side of an orthodontic band

buccal wall

cavity wall nearest the cheek

friction-grip bur

a rotary cutting instrument with a smooth shank to hold it in the high-speed handpiece

latch-type bur

a bur with a notched shank that fits into a latch-type contra-angle handpiece

burnisher

a dental hand instrument used to smooth the edges at the margin of a metal restoration and the tooth surface

calcification

the process by which organic tissue becomes hardened by the deposit of calcium and other mineral salts

calculus

a hard mineralized deposit attached to the teeth

canine

an anterior tooth with a long, thick root

cannula

a hollow tube commonly used to aid in the placement of an instrument such as a laser handpiece

capitation

a payment plan under which the dentist has contracted to provide all or most of the dental services covered under the program to subscribers in payment on a per capita basis

capsule

a fibrous sac that encloses a joint and limits its action

a gelatinous structure that surrounds some bacteria

caries

dental decay

an infectious disease that progressively destroys tooth substance

arrested caries

a carious lesion that does not show any marked tendency for further progression

recurrent caries

decay occurring beneath the margin of an existing dental restoration

carrier

an individual who harbors disease organisms without obvious symptoms and is capable of transmitting this disease to others

the party to a dental contract that may collect premiums, assume financial risk, pay claims, and/or provide administrative services

carver

an instrument used to shape restorative materials

cassette

a light-proof container with intensifying screens in which extraoral radiographic films are placed for exposure to radiation

a specialized container used to organize instruments during use, cleaning, sterilization, and storage

catalyst

a material that initiates a chemical reaction

cavity

a decay lesion or hole in a tooth

cavity liner

the material placed over the pulpal area of the preparation to soothe irritated or sensitive pulp

copal cavity varnish

cavity varnish with organic component

applied under amalgam but not compatible with composite resin restorative materials

cavity wall

a side of the cavity preparation that aids in enclosing restorative material

cavosurface angle

an angle in a cavity preparation formed by the junction of the cavity wall with the exterior tooth surface (cavosurface margin)

cavosurface bevel

the bevel found at the cavosurface angle of the cavity preparation

cementoenamel junction

the junction of the enamel of the crown and the cementum of the root at the cervix of the tooth

cementum

the substance covering the root surface of the tooth

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

a federal agency that monitors infectious diseases and issues reports, recommendations, and guidelines about diseases

central ray

the theoretical center of the x-ray beam as it leaves the tube head

the most direct line of radiation

centric occlusion

closing of the jaws in a position that produces maximum stable contact between the occluding surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth