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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS AND PHRASES. 287

either side in each jaw, situated at the angles of the mouth. In the nomenclature of
comparative dental anatomy these are called canine teeth.
Cutting edge. The edge formed by the junction of the labial and lingual sur-
faces of the incisor and cuspid teeth. In the cusjiids, the edge is raised to a point
near its center. The edge of excavators, such as hatchets, hoes, etc.; or of other
cutting instruments.
Decay. Latin, Cadere, to fall. To decline, to fall, to become less; to pass gradu-
ally from a sound, prosperous or perfect state to one of imperfection, adversity or
dissolution. To waste away, to decline, to fall, to become weak, corrupt or disinte-
grated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay.—
Webster.
Any wasting, disintegration, softening or deterioration by decomposition. Decay
of the teeth is widely used as synonymous with caries of the teeth.
Deciduous. That which will be shed. Deciduous teeth are those that are shed
at periodical stages of growth of the person or animal. Applied to the teeth of child-
hood. They are also called temporary teeth.
Defoembd. Out of the normal or correct form.
Deformity. Misbuilding of any organ or part by which it is imperfectly formed;
out of correct form.
Dental. Pertaining to the teeth.
Dental caries. A local disease of the teeth, in which the enamel is dissolved by
the action of lactic acid as a waste product of microorganisms and the dentin is dis-
integrated by the vital activity of acid producing organismB penetrating the dentinal
tubules. See Caries.
Dental engine. A machine for the use of rotary motion in dental operations.
Dental instrument gauge. An instrument designed especially for the measure-
ment of dental instruments. See Figure 17, Vol. 2.
Dental nomenclatitre. The particular system of nomenclature used in den-
tistry. In many respects it is different from the nomenclature of comparative dental
anatomy.
Dbntigeeous. Containing or producing teeth, as a dentigerous cyst or tumor.
Dentin. The tissue of which the main body of a tooth is formed.
Dentinal fibrils. The living fibers filling the dentinal tubules. See Fibrils of
Tomes.
Dentin wall. That portion of the wall of a cavity that is composed of dentin.
See Figure 8, DW, Vol. 2.
Dentition, the. The teeth of the person or animal as a whole. The dentition
of the monkey is very similar to that of the man.
Dentocemental junction. The line of junction of dentin and cementum.
Dento-enamel junction. The line of junction of the dentin and enamel. See
Figure 8, de. Vol. 2.
Developmental grooves. Fine depressed lines in the enamel of a tooth which
mark the junction of its lobes.
Developmentai, lines. See developmental grooves.
Diagnosis. The art or process of determining the nature, location and causes of
a disease.
Dialyze. To cause soluble salts to pass through an animal membrane to separate
them from gummy substances with which they are associated in a solution.