Cross Bite

When the upper back teeth fit inside the lower teeth.

Calculus

Hard deposit of mineralized material adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth.

Cavity

Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.

Cementum

Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.

Cleft Palate

Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft and/or hard palate, either partial or complete.

Clenching

The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.

Composite

A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).

Conscious Sedation

A state in which patients are awake and can breathe and swallow on their own but are less aware of what is taking place.

Crown

A restoration covering or replacing a major part of a tooth.

Crowding

A state in which teeth are positioned very close together and, in some cases, overlapping.

Cusp

The pointed portion of the tooth.