band – metal ring cemented in place around a tooth to allow brackets to attach to the teeth
banding – orthodontic process of fitting and cementing bands to teeth
base – insulating substance used beneath restorations to protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature
benefit – payment for covered dental services by third party insurer
benign – a term used to indicate mild, non-threatening, or non-malignant
bicuspid – tooth located in front of the molars and behind cuspids
bilateral – term meaning both right and left sides are indicated
biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination and/or testing
bioinert – material property indicating it causes no physical reaction, such as inflammation or immune response
bite/occlusion – physical relationship between upper and lower teeth when closed
bleaching – whitening of the teeth, generally using a chemical oxidizing agent and/or laser treatment
block injection – anesthetic placed to cause numbness over a large area of the jaw and mouth
block graft – bone graft stabilized with screw, generally used to correct large bone defect
bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces, orthodontic appliance seal
bonding – process of attaching brackets to teeth for braces or restoring teeth with composite resin to repair tooth color or shape
bone atrophy/resorption – loss of bone in jaw, commonly caused by periodontal disease
braces – orthodontic devices used to reposition teeth over time to correct misalignment, generally consisting of brackets and archwires
bracket – ceramic or metal piece cemented to the tooth to hold an archwire for orthodontic treatment
bridge/partial denture – dental prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, generally attaches to surrounding teeth or implants for support
bruxism – involuntary grinding of the teeth, usually while sleeping, often causing tooth wear, sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain
buccal – referring to or toward the cheek
