Base

Cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve chamber)

Bicuspid or Pre-molar

Transitional teeth behind the cuspids

Bifurcation (trifurcation)

Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth

Biopsy

Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination

Bite

Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion)

Bite Wings

Caries (decay) detection x-rays

Black Hairy Tongue

Elongated papillae on the tongue, promoting the growth of microorganisms

Bleaching

Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect

Block Injection

Anesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw; a mandibular block injection produce numbness of the lower jaw, teeth, half the tongue

Bonding

Adhesive dental restoration technique; a tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth

Bone Resorption

Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of periodontal (gum disease)

Braces

Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment

Bridge

Stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space; replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space

Bruxism

Grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep

Bruxomania

Persistent "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake

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