Additional Resources

Associations

American Association of Periodontology www.perio.org

American Dental Association www.ada.org

American Dental Hygienists’ Association www.adha.org

Oral Cancer Foundation www.oralcancerfoundation.org

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer www.spohnc.org

Glossary

Biofilm: Build-up of bacteria on tooth surface. Also called plaque.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissue for examination.

Calculus: Hardened form of dental plaque caused by continual accumulation of salivary minerals and plaque on surface of teeth. Also called tartar.

Cancer: Abnormal growth of cells; it can originate in nearly any body part, organ or tissue; tends to multiply in an uncontrolled manner.

Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover body organs.

Caries: Tooth decay.

False negative: Test results indicate that patient does not have disease although individual does have disease.

False positive: Test results indicate that patient does not have disease although individual does have disease.

Gingivitis: Inflammation of gum tissue. Early stage of periodontal disease.

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR): Surgical procedure that uses barrier membranes to direct growth of new bone and gingival tissue in sites infected by advanced periodontitis.

Gum disease: An infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. Also called periodontal disease.

Gums: The firm connective tissue surrounding the bases of the teeth.

Osteopenia: A condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal.

Periodontal disease: An infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. Also called gum disease.

Periodontitis: Inflammation of the gums.

Plaque: A deposit that builds up on a tooth. See Biofilm.

Precancerous: A disease or finding that, if left untreated, may develop into cancer.

Recession: Exposure of roots of the teeth caused by gum tissue loss.

Scaling and root planing: Non-surgical periodontal therapy to remove dental laque and calculus, the causes of gum inflammation.

Subgingival irrigation: Low-pressure liquid dispersion inside gum pocket to reduce plaque and bacteria build-up.

Tartar: See calculus.