© copyright 2009 Dr. Larry Lu Inc. & BigSmiles Dental Care | www.bigsmilesdentalcare.com
CAD/CAM - Computer aided design/ computer aided manufacturing
Calcium - chemical element
needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves
Calculus - hard residue, commonly known
as "tarter," that forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control, often stained
yellow or brown
Canker sore - mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo,
of ten to fourteen day duration . Also known as aphtous ulcers
Cantilever bridge
- fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end
Cap - common term for
dental crown
Caries - tooth decay or "cavities"
Cast or model - reproduction of structures
made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold or impression
CAT scan - Computed axial
tomography scan. Helps in determining available bone for precise implant placement
Cavitron
- dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth
Cellulitis
- soft tissue infection causing extensive, hard swelling, a potentially dangerous
condition requiring immediate attention. Can arise from an untreated tooth
Cementum
- hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth
Chart - log of dental or medical records
Clasp
– metal or acrylic part of a removable partial denture that hooks on to natural teeth
to retain the partial in the mouth
Cleaning -removal of plaque and calculus (tarter)
from teeth, generally above the gum line. Also referred to as Prophylaxis
Commercially
pure titanium - Biocompatible metal commonly used for dental implants. It is an alloy
of Titanium 99 wt. % and small amounts of oxygen with trace amounts of iron, hydrogen,
carbon and nitrogen.
Composite resin - material composed of plastic with small glass
or ceramic particles; usually cured with filtered light or chemical catalyst
Complication
- An unfavorable condition that may be reversible or irreversible. Cosmetic (aesthetic)
dentistry - treatments performed to enhance appearance by altering the shape and
color of the teeth
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) - Artificial procedures employed
by a rescuer after cessation of breathing or heart stoppage
Cross bite - reverse biting
relationship of upper and lower teeth; the lower teeth are ahead of the upper teeth
in their relationship
Crown -
(1) the portion of a tooth above the gum line;
(2) dental
restoration covering all or most of the natural tooth
Curettage - removal of diseased
tissue from a periodontal pocket. Usually done in conjunction with scaling and root
planning (deep cleaning)
Cusp - mound on posterior teeth
Cuspid or canine – transition
from incisors to cusped teeth. Also called the ‘eye teeth ‘. They are the teeth with
the longest roots and form the corners of the mouth
Cyst - a soft or hard tissue
sac, hard or filled with fluid
