Glossary.

Acrylic splint for treating conditions of the masticatory system (e.g. bruxism, grinding). The goal of splint therapy is to eliminate adverse mechanical stress on the teeth and temporomandibular joints.

Alternative term for biological tolerance with regard to exogenous substances.

Aid used in determining and stabilizing the relative position of the lower jaw to the upper jaw (determination of the maxillomandibular relationship) in edentulous or partially edentulous patients.

Bleaching is a method to brighten human teeth for cosmetic and esthetical reasons.

A bridge replaces missing teeth in the dentition. Two teeth act as a pillar and support the bridge.

Unconscious grinding or clenching of the teeth that generally takes place at night, but which can also occur during the day. It causes the tooth substance to wear down, and places excessive stress on the periodontium and temporomandibular joint. It can also result in damage to the masticatory muscles or to other muscle groups.

In the cheek area, synonymous in the posterior area with vestibular.

Properly functioning and correctly formed masticatory system (dentition) that does not demonstrate any developmental impairments or other anomalies. The masticatory force is distributed evenly across the jaw.