I.M.F.: See intermaxillary fixation.
Impacted Tooth: A tooth that hasn't erupted into the mouth and remains buried within the jawbone. Causes of impaction may be genetic or obstruction by another tooth, bone, or soft tissue.
Impaction: See impacted tooth.
Implant: A biologically compatible material that is places in or on the bone. Root form implants for tooth replacement are usually made of metal that has been specially treated so that it fuses with jawbone. A crown, bridge or denture is then fixed to the implant.
Impression: The first step in making a model of a patient's teeth. A specially constructed container called and impression tray is filled with liquefied impression material (such as rubber, silicon, hydrocolloid, or alginate), which hardens to produce a mold of the teeth and gums.
Impression Material: A material (such as rubber, silicon, hydrocolloid, or alginate) that is placed in special containers, called impression trays, to make molds of patient's teeth and gums. When placed in the mouth, the material is liquid enough to flow into the grooves in the tray.
Impression Tray: A special metal or plastic container that is used to hold impression material for making molds of teeth and gums.
Incisal: The biting edge of your centrals and laterals.
Incisal Embrasure: Slight openings between teeth at the biting edges helping to make them look individual rather than like a unit.
Incisors: The central and lateral incisor, those are the first and second teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the front teeth with the flat edged for biting.
Inclination: The angle of the long axis of a tooth from a particular line of reference; the tilt or tip of a tooth.
Inlay: a laboratory processed restoration made of metal, acrylic or porcelain. This filling does not involve the high points of the tooth (cusps).
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment: Orthodontic treatment usually done when you are 6-8. The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to expand your palate and make other corrections, so that your later orthodontic treatment goes quicker and is less painful.
Interdental Papilla: Gum tissue between the teeth.
Interdental Tissue: Gum tissue between the teeth.
Intermaxillary Fixation: Stabilization of the upper and lower jaws against each other, typically with wires or elastics. Often performed to stabilize a fracture or dislocated TMJ.
Interocclusal Registration: A mold, which is used to see how, your teeth come together. See Wax bite.
Interproximal: The space between adjacent teeth.
Interproximal Stripper: A device used to remove some of the enamel from the spaces between your teeth. The stripper is used to create extra space for crowded teeth.
Interproximal Stripping: reduction of the enamel of the teeth on both sides of the tooth. This procedure is preformed to create space for crowded teeth.
Intraoral: inside your mouth. For example, orthodontic rubber bands are called intraoral products since the rubber bands are designed to go in your mouth.
Intraoral Photos: Photographs of teeth, gums, tongue and other anatomy inside of your mouth.
Intrusion: movement of a tooth back in the bone.
Irrigation: The technique of using a solution of using a solution to wash out your mouth and to flush debris.