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 a 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 a large bone defect

Bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces, orthodontic appliance seal

Bonding – the 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 the 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 – a 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