Abscess A localized inflammation due to a collection of pus in the bone or soft tissue, usually caused by an infection. Abutment A tooth or implant used to support a prosthesis. A crown unit used as part of a fixed bridge. Alveolar bone The bone which surrounds the root of the tooth and holds it in place. The loss of this bone is normally associated with severe periodontal disease. Amalgam Dental material used to repair carious lesions or cavities. Commonly referred to as "silver fillings."

Bicuspid A two-cusped tooth found between the molar and the cuspid. Bitewing X-rays X-rays taken of the crowns of teeth to check for decay. Bonding A process which chemically etches the tooth's enamel to better attach (bond) composite filling material, veneers, or plastic/acrylic. Bridge A nonremovable restoration that is used to replace missing teeth. Bruxism The involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth.

Calculus Commonly referred to as tartar, calculus is a hardened and tenacious material formed by the mineralization of dental plaque. Cap Another term for crown. Caries The correct technical term for decay, which is the progressive breaking down or dissolving of tooth structure, caused by the acid produced when bacteria digest sugars. Cavity The layman's term for tooth decay. Cementum The very bonelike structure that covers the root of the tooth. Composite A tooth-colored filling made of plastic resin or porcelain. Crown The portion of the tooth that is covered by enamel. Also, a dental restoration that covers the entire tooth and restores it to its original shape. Curettage A deep scaling of that portion of the tooth below the gumline. The purpose is to remove calculus and infected gum tissue. Cusp(s) The protruding portion(s) of a tooth's chewing surface.

Dentin The part of the tooth that is under both the enamel, which covers the crown, and the cementum, which covers the root. Denture A removable appliance used to replace teeth. A complete denture replaces all of the upper teeth and/or all the lower teeth. Deluxe Recharge Gauge Shows battery charge status and helps track battery level. Dual Speed Control Allows you to switch between high speed brushing for optimal plaque removal and low speed for sensitive areas.

Easy-Start® power ramp up Easy-Start is a Sonicare toothbrush feature that helps you get used to power brushing by gently increasing the brushing power as long as your Sonicare toothbrush is on for at least 1 minute each brushing. After the 12th brushing, you will have reached your Sonicare toothbrush's optimal brushing power. Enamel The hard, calcified (mineralized) portion of the tooth that covers the crown. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.

Filling Material used to fill a cavity or replace part of a tooth. Fluoride A chemical compound that helps reduce tooth decay and sensitivity.

Gingiva The tissue surrounding the teeth. Commonly referred to as "gums." Gingival margin The area of the gingiva (gums) closest to the tooth surface. Commonly referred to as the "gumline." Gingival recession The condition which exists when the gingival margin has receded towards the root from its previous position at the neck of the tooth. Gingivitis A superficial infection that is limited to the gum tissue and does not affect the underlying bone. Common signs of gingivitis include redness, swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gingiva.

Impacted tooth An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone or soft tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely. Implant A method to replace one or several missing teeth. Each implant consists of a metal anchor that is inserted into the jawbone and a protruding post, which is outfitted with an artificial tooth. Incisors The four front teeth referred to as central and lateral incisors, located in the upper and lower jaws and used to cut food. Inlay A cast gold filling that is used to replace part of a tooth. Interproximal The interproximal area refers to the spaces between the teeth.

Local anesthetic The injection given in the mouth to numb areas involved in a dental procedure. Often referred to as novocaine.

Malocclusion The improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth. Mandible The bone that forms the lower jaw. Maxilla The upper jaw, which forms the upper part of the mouth. Molars The multicusped back teeth are used for grinding food and considered the largest teeth in the mouth.

Nitrous oxide A controlled mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gases that is inhaled by the patient in order to decrease sensitivity to pain. Also known as laughing gas. Novocaine A generic name for many kinds of anesthetics used in dental injection.

Occlusion Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth. Onlay A cast gold or porcelain filling that covers one or all of the tooth's cusps. Overbite A condition in which upper teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. This condition can be corrected with orthodontics.

Palate The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth. Periodontal disease This condition is caused when the gum infection spreads to the underlying bone. In this stage, the bone supporting the teeth is lost and the teeth may become loose and eventually fall out. Common signs of periodontal disease include: the development of space between the teeth, loosening of one or more teeth, receding gums, soreness of the gums, redness and/or swelling of the gum tissue. Also known as periodontitis or pyorrhea. Plaque A sticky, almost invisible film of disease-causing bacteria that forms on the teeth. In large amounts, it can be felt with the tongue as a fuzzy, unclean coating on the teeth. Programmable Quadpacer® Programmable interval timer to encourage thorough brushing. Optional 30 seconds of extended brushing to focus on problematic areas. SEE QUADPACER Prophylaxis Preventive dental office procedure involving the removal of hard and soft deposits from the exposed surfaces of the teeth. Pulp Pulp is the living part of the tooth, comprised of the nerves and blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tooth.

Quadpacer® 30-second interval timer This is a Sonicare toothbrush feature that takes the guesswork out of when to move your brush from different navSections of the mouth (uppers to lowers, outside to inside). It beeps at 30-second intervals during the 2-minute brushing period, signaling you to move the brush to the next navSection. Quadrant The dental term for the division of the jaws into four parts, beginning at the midline of the arch and extending towards the last tooth in the back of the mouth.

Recession A shrinking of the gum tissue away from its normal position on the tooth which results in the exposure of the root of the tooth. Recharge Indicator This feature tells you the amount of charge you have in your Sonicare battery by using different sequences of beeps and flashing lights. Restorations A replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth. For example, bridges, fillings, crowns, and implants are replacements. Retrograde filling A method of sealing the root canal by preparing and filling it from the root tip, generally done at the completion of apicoectomy. Root canal The hollow part of the tooth's root. It runs from the tip of the root into the pulp. Root canal therapy The process of treating disease or inflammation of the pulp or root canal. This involves removing the pulp and root's nerve(s) and filling the canal(s) with an appropriate material to permanently seal it.

Scaling A procedure used to remove plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth. Sealant A composite material used to seal the decay-prone pits, fissures, and grooves of children's teeth to prevent decay. Space maintainer A dental appliance that fills the space of a lost tooth or teeth, and prevents the other teeth from moving into the space. Used especially in orthodontic and pediatric treatment. Smartimer®— 2-minute automatic shut-off This feature automatically stops your Sonicare toothbrush after the dentist-recommended 2-minute brushing time. Subgingival scaling The removal of calculus and plaque found on the tooth below the gum line. Sulcus A normally occurring space surrounding a healthy tooth, just below the gumline. It has a depth of 1-3mm. Superior Cleaning Technology The combination of ultra high-speed bristles, slim angled neck, and advanced brush head design directs powerful cleaning action into hard-to-reach areas.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome The problems associated with TMJ, usually involving pain or discomfort in the joints and ligaments that attach the lower jaw to the skull, or in the muscles used for chewing. Third molar The last of three molar teeth, also called wisdom teeth.

Veneer An artificial filling material, usually plastic, composite, or porcelain, that is used to provide an aesthetic covering over the visible surface of a tooth. Most often used on front teeth.

Wisdom teeth See third molar.