Shear adhesion, adhesion of a material to a substrate measured in a shear mode.

Soft palate, the part of the palate lying posterior to the hard palate, composed of only soft tissues without underlying bony support.

Soft tissue, all body tissue except bone, teeth, nails, hair and cartilage.

Removable partial denture, a partial denture that can be readily placed in the mouth and removed by the wearer.

Retraction cord, used to lay back the free gingival tissue to expose the gingival margin area of a preparation by mechanical means.

Rubber dam, a thin sheet of latex rubber used to isolate a tooth or teeth and keep them dry during a dental procedure.

Palate, the bone and soft tissue that closes the space encompassed by the upper alveolar arch.

Paper point, a cone of absorbent paper designed to be inserted into the length of the root canal and used to absorb fluid, carry medication into the canal, or inoculate cultures.

Periodontal disease, any of a group of inflammatory and infectious diseases affecting the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth.

Periodontitis, the alterations occurring in the periodontium with inflammation. Gingival changes are those of gingivitis, with the clinical signs associated with gingivitis.

Plaque, a sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth; composed of mucin (chief ingredient of mucus) derived from the saliva and of bacteria and their products; often responsible for the inception of caries and for gingival inflammation.

Prophylaxis (or phophy), a series of procedures whereby calculus, stain, and other foreign materials are removed from the clinical crowns of the teeth, and the clinical crowns of the teeth are polished.

Provisional prosthesis, an interim prosthesis (e.g. a crown or bridge) worn for varying periods of time.

Occlusal registration, an impression made of the teeth which is meant to record the interocclusal relationships between the mandibular and maxillary teeth to allow for proper articulation and mounting of stone casts.

Occlusion, 1. the act of closure or state of being closed. 2. Any contact between the incising or masticating surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.

Onlay, a cast type of restoration that is retained by frictional and mechanical factors in the preparation of the tooth and restores one or more cusps and adjoining occlusal surfaces of the tooth.

Laminate veneer restoration, a conservative esthetic restoration of anterior teeth to mask discoloration, restore malformed teeth, close diastemas, and correct minor tooth alignment. The materials of choice are acrylic veneers, processed composite resin veneers, and/or porcelain veneers that are bonded directly to a properly prepared tooth.

Lingual surface, pertaining to an area toward the tongue.

Mandibular, pertaining to the lower jaw.

Matrix, a mold into which is something is formed.

Maxillary, pertaining to the upper dental arch and its supporting bone.

Mesial, toward the center line of the dental arch.

Microleakage, the seepage of fluids, debris, and microorganisms along the interface between a restoration and the walls of a cavity preparation.

Gingivitis, any inflammation of the gingival tissue.

Hard palate, the anterior part of the palate, which is supported by and includes the palatal extensions of the maxillary and palatine bones.

Hydrophilic, having an affinity for water.

Inlay, a restoration of metal, fired porcelain, or plastic made to fit a tapered cavity preparation and fastened to or luted into it with a cementing medium.

Interocclusal, between the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Endodontic techniques, procedures used in pulpless teeth or teeth that are to be made pulpless.

Facebow, caliper-like device that is used to record the relationship of the maxillae to the temporomandibular joints (or opening axis of the mandible) and to orient the casts in this same relationship to the opening axis of an articulator.

Facial surface, pertaining to the area toward the face.

Fixed partial denture, a tooth-born partial denture that is intended to be permanently attached to the teeth or roots that furnish support to the restoration.

Fracture toughness, a measure of a material's resistance to the propogation of a crack (after the crack has been initiated).

Desiccate, to dry by chemical or physical means.

Diametral tensile strength, a measure of a material's resistance to brittle facture caused by crushing forces.

Distal, away from the medial plane of the face.

Canine guidance, a concept of occlusal function in which the canine teeth are assigned a major control role in the excursive movements of the mandible.

Cast, an object formed by pouring plastic or liquid material (e.g die stone) into a mold in which it hardens.

Clenching, the nonfunctional, forceful intermittent application of the mandibular teeth against the maxillary teeth.

Compressive strength, a measure of a material's resistance to fracture under compression or crushing forces.

Conservative, minimal removal of vital tooth structure required.

Contact, the act of touching or meeting (of teeth).

Coronal, pertaining to the crown portion of teeth.

Crown height, the length of the portion of a human tooth covered by enamel.

Crown, that portion of a human tooth covered by enamel.

Bruxism, the involuntary gnashing, grinding, or clenching of the teeth often associated with fatigue, anxiety, emotional stress, or fear; usually resulting in abnormal wear patterns on the teeth.

Buccal, pertaining to or adjacent to the cheek.

Burnishing, a process related to polishing and abrading. Commonly accomplished during the polishing of soft gold (or other metals)