1. Abscess - any infection in a particular location in the body – on a tooth, ear, toe nail etc.
2. Abutment - a tooth that supports a fixed bridge or a removable partial
3 .Acid Etch - a chemical that roughs up the tooth surface to help bond filling materials
4. Acrylic - a type of plastic used to make paints clothing and other  things.
5. ADA Procedure Codes - a system of 5 0r 4 digit numbers to identify dental procedures, mainly used for insurance purposes- helps speed up insurance claims
6. Aesthetic Restoration - restorative materials that match the color of the tooth
7. Alloys - any metal which is a mixture of two or more metals.
8. Alveolar Ridge - the bony ridge which supports the teeth in their working position in the arch
9. Alveolar Socket - the socket in the alveolar bone in which the root of the tooth sits
10. Alveolectomy - the surgical reshaping of the alveolar ridge
11. Alveoloplasty - surgically smoothing out lumpy bone so a denture or a partial denture can fit over the ridge
12. Amalgam - filling material- 50% silver, copper, tin and 50% mercury
13. Anterior - front teeth
14. Artificial Crown - a restoration to replace all or part of the crown of a natural tooth- maybe constructed of gold, porcelain or acrylic. Usually we call this a crown.
15. Apex - the tip of the root of a tooth
16. Apicoectomy - the surgical removal of the root tip
17. Attached Gingiva - the part of the gums that is attached to the root of the tooth
18. Bicuspid - premolar- used for grasping, tearing, grinding and chewing
19. Bitewing - small x-ray that shows the chewing portion of the tooth
20. Bridge - a fixed appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth by attaching it to the adjacent teeth