Tooth: From 3 Different Sources
See teeth.
See TEETH.
n. (pl. teeth) one of the hard structures in the mouth used for cutting and chewing food. Each tooth is embedded in a socket in part of the jawbone (mandible or maxilla) known as the alveolar bone (or alveolus), to which it is attached by the *periodontal membrane. The exposed part of the tooth (crown) is covered with *enamel and the part within the bone (root) is coated with *cementum; the bulk of the tooth consists of *dentine enclosing the *pulp (see illustration). The group of embryological cells that gives rise to a tooth is known as the tooth germ. There are four different types of tooth (see canine; incisor; premolar; molar). See also dentition.
A popular name for the last molar tooth on either side of each jaw (see TEETH). These teeth are the last to appear and should develop in early adult life, but often they do not cut the gum till the age of 20 or 25; indeed, they may sometimes remain permanently impacted in the jaw-bone. This occurs in up to 25 per cent of individuals. The lower third molar is often impacted against the second because of the direction in which it erupts.... wisdom tooth
See TEETH, DISORDERS OF.... toothache
Malformed extra TEETH are frequently found, particularly in the upper incisor region. They often do not erupt, but prevent the eruption of the permanent teeth.... tooth, supernumerary
A tooth that has become completely dislodged from its socket following an injury. If the tooth is kept moist, and treatment is sought immediately, reimplantation may be possible (see reimplantation, dental).... avulsed tooth
See fracture, dental.... broken tooth
See teeth.... canine tooth
An inherited muscle-wasting disease of the legs (see peroneal muscular atrophy).... charcot–marie–tooth disease
Crown badly decayed or weakened, it may be necessary to remove the entire natural crown of the tooth and then fit the artificial crown onto a post cemented in the root canal.... natural tooth
See abscess, dental.... tooth abscess
(peroneal muscular atrophy) a group of inherited diseases of the peripheral nerves, also known as hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy, causing a gradually progressive weakness and wasting of the muscles of the legs and the lower part of the thighs. The hands and arms are eventually affected. The genetic defect responsible for the most common form, type Ia, is a duplication on chromosome 17. The diagnosis is made by nerve conduction tests followed by genetic blood tests. [J. M. Charcot; P. Marie (1853–1940), French physician; H. H. Tooth (1856–1925), British physician]... charcot–marie–tooth disease
see extraction.... tooth extraction
n. a paste used for cleaning the teeth. It contains a fine abrasive and a suitable flavouring to promote use. Most toothpastes contain *fluoride salts, which help to prevent *dental caries. Some contain antimicrobials, to counteract dental *plaque, and whitening agents.... toothpaste
(tooth surface loss) a condition in which loss of tooth substance is excessive for the patient’s age. It includes *attrition, *erosion, and *abrasion, but the cause is not always obvious. A combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors may be responsible.... tooth wear
see bleaching.... tooth whitening
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