Learn more about the services, terms and treatments used by our dentist, Dr. Asad Chaudhry. Call Emrick Dental in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at 610-317-2454.
Anesthetic
A substance that causes a loss of feeling, temporarily, in the site
Anterior
Describes teeth nearer to the front
Apex
The points of the root of the tooth
Bitewing
A type of X-ray where the patient “bites” down on a tab while the image is being taken
Canine
The tooth located on the front side of the jaw, the longest tooth and slightly pointed
Canker sore
A small ulcer that forms on the inside of the mouth
Cast
A model of a tooth or of teeth, made from an impression
Cementation
When appliances are attached to the surface of the tooth
Crossbite
When the bite does not align correctly and the lower jaw drifts towards the side on the cheek, more than the upper teeth
Dentition
The development and position of the teeth
Diastema
A gap between adjacent teeth
Distal
The direction away from the middle of the jaw
Eruption
When the tooth appears and is visible in the mouth
Gingivitis
The first appearance of gum disease
Impaction
When a tooth cannot erupt normally, usually because of contact with bone or a neighboring tooth
Impression
A negative representation/mold of the teeth, used to make casts
Incisal
The pointed, thin edge of the first, frontmost tooth
Incisor
The first two front teeth on the upper and lower jaws
Lingual
The sides of the teeth that are towards the center of the tongue
Mesial
The surface of the tooth that faces the middle of the front teeth
Molar
The six backmost teeth on the upper and lower jaws
Occlusal
The top, flat edge of the teeth, used for biting
Occlusion
How the teeth fit together when biting
Open bite
When the lower and upper teeth do not meet when biting
Over bite
When the bottom and top teeth overlap when biting
Palate
The upper tissue of the mouth
Permanent teeth
The second adult teeth that appear after the first fall out
Posterior
The back of the mouth
Premolar
The teeth between the canines and back molars
Primary teeth
The first set of teeth, also known as “baby teeth”
Radiograph
An image made from an X-ray
Retainer
An appliance that is used to keep the teeth in the correct position
Space Maintainer
A device that maintains space between teeth after a tooth is lost