Malocclusion
"Bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth.

Managed Care
Program whereby patient-dentist assignment and dentist reimbursement is administered by a separate, external organization.

Mandible
The lower jaw.

Margin
Interface between a restoration and tooth structure.

M.A.G.D.
Masters Academy of General Dentistry.

Maryland Bridge
A bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth; requires minimum tooth reduction.

Mastication
Process of chewing food.

Maxilla
The upper jaw.

Meniscus
Capsular cushion between temporomandibluar joint and glenoid fossa.

Milk Teeth
Deciduous (baby) teeth.

Molars
Three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.

Moniliasis (Thrush)
Opportunistic fungal infection after administration of antibiotic; not uncommon in the mouth.

Mucogingival Junction (MGJ)
Meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the friable mucous lining of the cheeks and lips.