Smile: List 1

by Raina Telgemeier
When she was in sixth grade, cartoonist Raina Telgemeier severely damaged her teeth during an accidental fall. In this graphic memoir, Telgemeier chronicles her literal and figurative quest to reclaim her smile.

This list covers pages 1-85.

Here are links to our list for the graphic novel: List 1, List 2

Here are links to our lists for other works by Raina Telgemeier: Drama, Sisters
15 words 5688 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. orthodontist
    a dentist specializing in irregularities of the teeth
    Let's get you set up in a chair, and the orthodontist will look at your teeth in a few minutes.
  2. prescription
    a drug available with written instructions from a doctor
    I know, kid, but you have to finish the prescription.
  3. nauseous
    feeling about to vomit
    You've eaten nothing but ice cream, chicken broth, and codeine for a week...of course you feel nauseous.
  4. endodontist
    a dentist who specializes in root canal treatments
    To an endodontist for root canals...
  5. denture
    a medical appliance that artificially replaces missing teeth
    Try to save those teeth, so she's not wearing dentures at eleven years old.
  6. subtle
    able to make fine distinctions
    Braces work through subtle pressure.
  7. discomfort
    the state of being tense and feeling pain
    You may experience slight discomfort during this time.
  8. optimism
    the hopeful feeling that all is going to turn out well
    And like every year, this brought a feeling optimism into the air.
  9. voluntarily
    out of your own free will
    That was the first time my sister voluntarily hugged me...and the only time I've ever heard her pray.
  10. marina
    a fancy dock for small yachts and cabin cruisers
    ...partial collapse of the Nimitz Freeway and the westbound section of the Bay Bridge...fires burning in the marina, thousands feared dead or injured...
  11. aftershock
    a tremor following the main tremor of an earthquake
    Aftershock. I suppose we'd better get out the sleeping bags...
  12. epicenter
    a point on the Earth's surface directly above an earthquake
    My buddy Frank lives in Watsonville, I heard that's where the quake's epicenter was...
  13. postpone
    hold back to a later time
    They had to postpone the World Series!!
  14. extraction
    taking out something
    It would first require a simple extraction.
  15. retainer
    an appliance that holds teeth in position after treatment
    So, we pull them back out, and build you a retainer with two perfect teeth attached to it, to fill the gap.
Created on Tue Dec 05 14:38:11 EST 2017 (updated Mon Jun 16 12:18:23 EDT 2025)

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