Tooth Restorations

adhesive

sticky or adhering material or substance

amalgam

soft alloy mass containing mercury, which hardens into restoration

amalgamation

blending or pulverizing an alloy with mercury

anneal

purification by placement into flame; heated in flame until red

articulating paper

colored strip of paper used to test results of the restored bite

burnish

to smooth or rub out

composite

resin material used for dental restorative purposes

condensation

the act of compressing or plugging soft matter into a mass

debridement

removal of damaged tissue or foreign matter 

dissipate

to scatter, spread out; to let heat escape

embrasure

V-shaped tooth gap area beneath contact area and gingival crest

esthetic

pertaining to beauty; act of making something appealing

exothermic

giving off heat, as in some chemical union reactions

galvanic

electrical charge emitted from meeting and reaction of two dissimilar metals

homogenous

same or alike; uniform material

increment

increase or addition in small amounts

infiltration

injection of anesthetic into the gingival and alveolar 

instrumentation

use of machines or appliances

insulation

setting apart; preventing the transfer of heat

invert

to turn toward or reverse material; turning in the edges of a dental dam

isolation

the process of separating or detaching from others or other areas

Laminated

materials applied in thin layers to the tooth surface; may be cemented or light activated for permanency

ligature

a material used to tie or hold down

luting

holding together; binding two items

manipulation

the skillful operation or handling and use

matrix

artificial wall material; may be metal or celluloid

mylar

heavy cellophane-type material that provides matrix support for anterior areas

palliative

relieving or alleviating pain

polymerization

changing of compound elements into another shape

protective

shielding or caring for

protocol

steps or method to follow

solubility

ability to be dissolved

spherical

in the form of a sphere

translucency

ability to see through

trituration

the mixing of mercury with an alloy to form an amalgam mix

veneer

thin, resin, tooth-shaped layer applied to tooth surface 

viscosity

sticky or gummy ability or condition