Dental Dictionary
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M
Malocclusion
"Bad bite" or misalignment between the upper and lower teeth. It relates to any condition that does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth.
Mandible
The lower jaw.
Mandibular
Pertaining to the lower jaw.
Maryland Bridge
The trade name that has become synonymous with a bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth.
Masticate
To chew food and mix the food with saliva.
Mastication
The act of chewing.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Maxillary
Pertaining to the upper jaw.
Mesial
The surface of the tooth that in normal occlusion is nearest the midline.
Mixed Dentition
The situation when both permanent teeth and deciduous teeth (baby teeth) are present.
Molars
The largest teeth in the mouth, these broad, multi-cusped back teeth are used to grind food before swallowing. In adults, there are a total of twelve molars (including the four wisdom teeth or third molars), three on each side of the upper and lower jaws.