Dental Dictionary
Abscess
A collection of pus that forms when infection is present.
Abutment
A tooth or implant fixture used as a support for a prosthesis
Amalgam
An alloy used in direct dental restorations.
Anesthetic
An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling.
Anterior
Teeth and tissue located at the front of the mouth.
Apex
The end of the root of the tooth.
Asepsis
No micro-organism present.
Attrition
Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.
Avulsed
An injury that separates a tooth from its socket due to trauma.
Bitewing
A dental x-ray taken in order to detect cavities between teeth and the condition of the bone supporting them.
Bleaching
Whitening of teeth.
Bridge
A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding.
Canker sore
An ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth. It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus.
Caries
Tooth decay.
Cavity
Tooth decay.
Cast
A model of teeth.
Cementation
The process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis on the associated area.
Chlorhexidine
An anti-microbial agent. Available in many forms such as gels and rinses, it is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases.
Clasp
A metal arm that extends from a removable partial denture onto natural tooth structure, thus providing stability.
Cold sore
An ulcer or blister on lip. A form of herpes simplex.
Composite
White filling.
Cross-bite
An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. The lower teeth/tooth align toward the cheek/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.
Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal)
A crown is a “cap” on a tooth. It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and outlook.
Decay
The lay term for bacterial demineralization of enamel and dentin; decomposition of tooth structure
Dentistry
A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concerning teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.
Dentition
The position, type, and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw.
Denture
(Immediate/complete/partial)
(overdenture, temporary)
An artificial substitute to replace some or all of the natural teeth and adjacent tissues. There are many types of denture to satisfy various treatment requirements and patient preferences.
Denturist
The person who specializes in fabricating dentures. A Denturist is not responsible for making a diagnosis or carrying out any other treatment (e.g. removing teeth).
Desensitization
A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth.
Diagnosis
The process of identifying dental disease.
Diastema
The space between two adjacent teeth.
Distal
Surface or position of a tooth most distant from the middle of the arch.
Edentulous
No teeth.
Endodontics
A department of dentistry involving diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp.
Eruption
The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth.
Excision
Surgical removal of bone or tissue.
Extruded
When a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket.
Filling
A lay term for a restoration placed on a tooth to restore its function and appearance.
Flipper
A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment.
Floss
A thread/tape that goes in between teeth to aid cleaning.
Fluoride
A compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, and rinses to strengthen teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
A fluoride agent like gel or rinse that helps prevent tooth decay.
Fracture
The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.
Framework
A metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and plastic attachments.
Gingivitis
The mildest form of gum disease: inflammation of gingival tissue with loss of connective tissue.
Hemorrhage
Bleeding
Hemostasis
Stop bleeding.
Impaction
A condition when an unerupted tooth is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue to that complete eruption is unlikely.
Implant
A device (usually “screw-like”) put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge.
Impression
A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray.
Incisal
The cutting edge of front teeth.
Incisor
The four upper and lower front teeth.
Inlay
A restoration (usually gold, composite or ceramics) fabricated in the lab that cements on a tooth like a missing puzzle piece. It helps to restore the normal function and look of the tooth.
Interproximal
The space between two adjacent teeth.
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K
Lingual
The side of the tooth towards the tongue.
Mesial
The side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw.
Molar
The last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.
Mouthguard
An Individually molded device primarily worn to prevent injury to the teeth and surrounding tissue.
Nightguard
A mouthguard which is worn at night time to prevent injury to the teeth due to clenching and grinding during sleep.
Occlusal
The biting surface of the premolar and molar teeth.
Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
Onlay
A restoration that restores one or more cusps and adjoining occlusal surfaces or the entire occlusal surface and is retained by adhesive means.
Open bite
The situation where the upper teeth do not come in contact with the opposing lower teeth.
Orthodontics
A special field in dentistry which involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bite abnormalities or facial irregularities.
Over bite
The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together.
Overhang
The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity.
Palate
The roof of the mouth.
Panoramic Radiograph
An x-ray film used to obtain a wide view of upper and lower teeth and associated structures in a single image.
Perforation
An opening on a tooth or other oral structure.
Periapical
The area surrounding the bottom of the tooth root.
Periodontics
A specialty of dentistry that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.
Permanent teeth
Adult teeth. The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old.
Pin
A piece of “nail-like” metal that aids in the retention of a restoration.
Polish
A process to make the tooth smooth and glossy.
Pontic
The artificial tooth in a bridge or denture that replaces the missing tooth.
Post
A rod-like component designed to be inserted into a prepared root canal and provide structural support. The device can be made from different materials such as metal or carbon.
Posterior
Located at the back.
Pre-authorization
A statement from a third-party payer before any proposed treatment will be covered under the terms of the benefit contract.
Pre-medication
Medication needing to be taken before dental procedures.
Premolar
The two teeth located in front of the molar.
Prescription
A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type and amount, and direction for the use of a medication for a patient. In dentistry, a prescription can also be a written instructions for the fabrication of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician.
Primary teeth
Baby teeth.
Prophylaxis/prophy
Removal of plaque, calculus and stains from tooth structure. It is intended to control local irritational factors
Prosthesis
An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Prosthodontics
A specialty of dentistry involving diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Pulp
Connective tissue that contains nerve tissue and blood vessels which occupies the pulp cavity of the tooth.
Pulpectomy
The removal of the whole pulp from the root canal space.
Pulpotomy
The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.
Q
Radiograph
An image or picture produced on a digital sensor.
Recall
The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.
Recementation
The process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area.
Restoration
An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth. It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge, etc.
Retainer
A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment.
Retreatment
The process of repeating the root canal treatment.
Root
The bottom part of tooth located in the socket.
Root canal
The chamber inside the root of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels.
Root canal treatment
The treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp.
Root planing
A procedure designed to remove to remove dentin that is rough and may be permeated with calculus or contaminated with toxins or microorganisms
Rubber dam
A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity preventing the passage of saliva or moisture or to provide an isolated operative field.
Scaling
Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.
Sealant
A thin layer of plastic-like material covering the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent occlusal caries.
Sedation
The use of medication to calm a patient.
Space Maintainer
An appliance to maintain the space between teeth.
Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ)
The joint that links the two parts of the jaw.
Torus
An outgrowth of bone. It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw.
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Veneer
A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) that attaches to the front of the tooth. It is generally used to improve the appearance of the tooth.
Wisdom tooth
The eighth (also the last) tooth from the middle of the jaw.
Xerostomia
Decreased salivary secretion that causes dry mouth.
Y
Z