Dental
Glossary
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
|
A |
| Abutment: A
tooth or
implant
used to
support
a
prosthesis.
A crown
unit
used as
part of
a fixed
bridge. |
| Abscess:
A
localized
inflammation
due to a
collection
of pus
in the
bone or
soft
tissue,
usually
caused
by an
infection. |
| Amalgam:
A
dental
filling
material,
composed
of
mercury
and
other
minerals,
used to
fill
decayed
teeth. |
| Alveoloplasty:A
surgical
procedure
used to
recontour
the
supporting
bone
structures
in
preparation
of a
complete
or
partial
denture. |
| Anesthetic:
A
class of
drugs
that
eliminates
or
reduces
pain. |
| Apex:
The tip
or end
of the
root of
the
tooth. |
| Apicoectomy:
The
amputation
of the
apex of
a tooth. |
|
B |
| Bicuspid: A two-cuspid
tooth
found
between
the
molar
and the
cuspid
also
known as
an eye
tooth or
canine
tooth. |
| Biopsy:A
process
of
removing
tissue
to
determine
the
existence
of
pathology. |
| Bitewing
x-rays: X-rays
taken of
the
crowns
of teeth
to check
for
decay. |
| Bleaching:
The
Technique
of
applying
a
chemical
agent,
usually
hydrogen
peroxide,
to the
teeth to
whiten
them. |
|
Bonding: A
process
to
chemically
etch the
tooth’s
enamel
to
better
attach
(bond)
composite
filling
material,
veneers,
or
plastic/acrylic.
|
| Bridge: A
nonremovable
restoration
that is
used to
replace
missing
teeth. |
| Bruxism:
The
involuntary
clenching
or
grinding
of the
teeth. |
|
C |
| Calculus:The
hard
deposit
of
mineralized
plaque
that
forms on
the
crown
and/or
root of
the
tooth.
Also
referred
to as
tartar. |
| Canine
tooth:The
second
tooth
from the
big
front
tooth,
commonly
called
the eye
tooth or cuspid. |
| Cap:
Another
term for
crown;
usually
referring
to a
crown
for a
front
tooth. |
| Caries:
The
correct
technical
term for
decay
which is
the
progressive
breaking
down or
dissolving
of tooth
structure,
caused
by the
acid
produced
when
bacteria
digests
sugars. |
| Cavity:
A layman’s
term for
tooth
decay.
Also,
the
dental
term for
the hole
that is
left
after
decay
has been
removed. |
| Cement:
A
special
type of
glue
used to
hold a
crown in
place.
It also
acts as
an
insulator
to
protect
the
tooth's
nerve. |
| Cementum:
The
very
thin,
bonelike
structure
that
covers
the root
of the
tooth. |
| Clenching:
The
forceful
holding
together
of the
upper
and
lower
teeth,
which
places
stress
on the
ligaments
that
hold the
teeth to
the
jawbone
and the
lower
jaw to
the
skull. |
Complex
Rehabilitation:
The
extensive dental restoration involving 6 or more units of
crowns and/or bridges in the same treatment plan. Using full
crowns and/or fixed bridges which are cemented in place, your
dentist will rebuild natural teeth, fill in spaces where teeth
are missing and establish conditions which allow each tooth to
function in harmony with the occlusion (bite). The extensive
procedures involved in complex rehabilitation require and
extraordinary amount of time, effort, skill and laboratory
collaboration for a successful outcome. |
| Composite: A tooth-colored filling made of plastic
resin or porcelain. |
| Consultation: A diagnostic service provided by a dentist
other than the treating dentist. |
| Cosmetic Dentistry: Any dental treatment or repair that is
solely rendered to improve the appearance of the teeth or
mouth. |
| Crown: The portion of a tooth that is covered by
enamel. Also a dental restoration that covers the entire
tooth and restores it to its original shape. |
| Crown Lengthening:
A surgical procedure exposing more tooth for
restorative purposes. |
| Curettage: A deep scaling of that portion of the tooth
below the gum line. The purpose is to remove calculus and
infected gum tissue. |
| Cuspid: The pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
These teeth have one cuspal or point. Cuspids are also
called canine teeth. |
| Cusp(s): The protruding portion(s) of a tooth’s
chewing surface. |
|
D |
| Decay: Tooth decay, when a tooth gets cavities. |
| Deciduous: Baby teeth. They are also known as the
primary dentition. |
| Dental floss: A thin, nylon string, waxed or unwaxed, that is inserted between the teeth to remove food
and plaque. |
| Dental hygienist: A dental professional specializing in
cleaning the teeth by removing plaque, calculus, and
diseased gum tissue. He/She acts as the patient’s guide in
establishing a proper oral hygiene program. |
| Dentin: The part of the tooth that is under both
the enamel which covers the crown and the cementum which
covers the root. |
| Denture: A removable appliance used to replace teeth.
A Complete denture replaces all of the teeth and/or all the
lower teeth. See also partial denture. |
|
DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD, Doctor of
Dental Medicine, Degrees given to dental school graduates.
Both degrees are the same; particular dental schools
identify at their discretion their graduates as DMD or DDS. |
| Direct pulp cap: The procedure in which the exposed pulp is
covered with a dressing or cement that protects the pulp and
promotes healing and repair. |
| Dry socket: A localized inflammation of the tooth
socket following an extraction due to infection or loss of a
blood clot. |
|
E |
| Enamel: The hard, calcified (mineralized) portion
of the tooth which covers the crown. Enamel
is the hardest substance in the body. |
| Endodontics: The dental specialty that deals with
injuries to or diseases of the pulp, or nerve, of the tooth. |
| Extraction: The removal of a tooth. |
| Excision: Surgical removal of bone or tissue. |
| Exostosis: The
overgrowth of normal bone. |
| Extracoronal: The outside of the crown of the tooth. |
| Extraoral: The outside of the mouth. |
|
F |
| Filling:
Material
used to fill a cavity or replace part of a tooth.
|
| Fluoride: A chemical compound used to prevent dental
decay, utilized in fluoridated water systems and/or applied
directly to the teeth. |
| Frenum: Muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane
that attaches the cheek, lips and or tongue to associated
dental mucosa. |
| Frenectomy: The removal of a frenum. |
|
G |
| Gingiva: The soft tissue that covers the jawbone.
Also referred to as the gums. |
| Gingivectomy: The removal of gingiva (gum). |
| Gingivitis: An inflammation or infection of the gingiva
(gum tissue); the initial stage of gum disease. |
| Gingivoplasty: A surgical procedure to reshape or repair
the gingiva (gum). |
| Graft: A piece of tissue or synthetic material
placed in contract with tissue to repair a defect or
supplement a deficiency. |
|
I |
| Immediate Denture: A denture constructed for immediate
placement after removal of the remaining teeth. |
Impacted tooth: An unerupted or partially erupted tooth
that is positioned against another tooth, bone or soft
tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely. |
| Implant: An artificial device, usually made of a
metal alloy or ceramic material, that is implanted within
the jawbone as a means to attach an artificial crown,
denture, or bridge. |
Incisors: The
four front teeth referred to as central and lateral
incisors, located in the upper and lower jaws and used to
cut and tear food. The central incisors are the two large
teeth in the middle of the mouth and the lateral incisors
are next to the central
incisor, one on each side. |
| Indirect pulp cap:
A procedure in which the nearly exposed pulp
is covered with a protective dressing to protect the pulp
from additional injury and to promote healing and repair via
formation of secondary dentin. |
| Inlay: A cast gold filling that is used to replace
part of a tooth. |
| Intracoronal:
The area within the crown of a tooth. |
| Intraoral: The inside of the mouth. |
|
L |
| Labial: The area pertaining to or around the lip. |
| Lingual: The area pertaining to or around the
tongue. |
| Local anesthetic:
The injection given in the mouth to numb the
areas where a tooth or area needs a dental procedure. Often
referred to as Novocain. |
|
M |
| Malocclusion: The improper alignment of biting or chewing
surfaces of upper and lower teeth. |
| Maryland Bridge: The trade name that has become synonymous
with any resin bonded fixed partial denture (bridge). |
| Mastication: The act of chewing. |
| Maxilla: The upper jaw. |
| Metals,
classification of: The
noble metal classification systems has been adopted as a
more precise method of reporting various alloys in dentistry
commonly used in crowns, bridges and dentures. These alloys
contain varying percentages of gold, palladium and/or
platinum. High noble contains more than 60% of gold,
palladium, and/or platinum (with at least 40% gold); noble
contains more than 25% gold, palladium and/or platinum. |
| Molars:
The broad, multicuspid back teeth, used
for grinding food are considered the largest teeth in the
mouth. In adults there are a total of twelve molars
(including the four wisdom teeth, or third molars), three on
each side of the upper and lower jaws. |
|
N |
| Nitrous oxide: A controlled mixture of nitrogen and oxygen
gases (N20) that is inhaled by the patient in order to
decreases sensitivity to pain. Also referred to as laughing
gas. |
| Novocaine: A generic name for the many kinds of
anesthetics used in the dental injection, such as Xylocaine, Lidocaine, or Novocaine |
|
O |
| Occlusal x-ray: An intraoral x-ray taken with the film held
between the teeth in biting position. |
| Occlusal surface:
The chewing surface of the back teeth. |
| Occlusion: Any contract between biting or chewing
surfaces of upper and lower teeth. |
| Onlay: A cast gold or porcelain filling that
covers one or all of the tooth’s cusps. |
| Oral surgery:
The removal of teeth and the repair and
treatment of other oral problems, such as tumors and
fractures. |
| Orthodontics:
A specialized branch of dentistry that
corrects malocclusion and restores the teeth to proper
alignment and function. There are several different types of
appliances used in Orthodontics, one of which is commonly
referred to as braces. |
| Overbite: A condition in which the upper teeth
excessively overlap the lower teeth when the jaw is closed.
This condition can be corrected with Orthodontics. |
|
P |
| Palate: The hard and soft tissues forming the roof
of the mouth. |
| Palliative: Treatment that relieves pain but is NOT
curative. |
| Panorex: An extraoral full-mouth X-ray that records
the teeth and the upper and lower jaws on one film. |
| Partial denture: A removable appliance used to replace one
or more lost teeth. |
| Periapical: The area that surrounds the root tip of a
tooth. |
| Pericoronitis: An inflammation of the gum tissue around
the crown of a tooth, usually the third molar. |
Periodontal: Relating to the tissue and bone that
supports the tooth
(from peri, meaning, "around",
and odont,
"tooth"). |
| Periodontal disease: The inflammation and infection of gums,
ligaments, bone, and other tissue surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main forms
of periodontal disease. Also called gum disease or pyorrhea. |
| Periodontal pocket: An abnormal deepening of the gingival
crevice. It is caused when disease and infection destroy the
ligament that attaches the gum to the tooth and the
underlying bone. |
| Periodontal surgery: A surgical procedure involving the gums and
jawbone. |
| Periodontics: The dental specialty that deals with and
treats the gum tissue and bone that supports the
teeth. |
| Periodontitis: Advanced gum disease. Inflammation of the
supporting structures of the tooth, including the gum,
the periodontal ligament, and the jawbone. |
| Permanent teeth: The thirty-two adult teeth that replace the
baby, or primary teeth. Also known as secondary
teeth. |
| Pit: A recessed area found on the surface of a
tooth, usually where the grooves of the tooth meet. |
| Plaque: A film of sticky material containing saliva,
food particles, and bacteria that attaches to the tooth
surface both above and below the gum line. When left
on the tooth it can promote gum disease and tooth decay. |
| Pontic: An artificial tooth used in a bridge to
replace a missing tooth. |
| Premolar: Another name for bicuspid. |
| Preventive Dentistry: Education and treatment devoted to and
concerned with preventing the development of dental disease. |
| Preventive treatment: Any action taken by the patient, assisted
by the hygienist and the office staff that serves to prevent
dental or other disease. Sealants, cleaning and space
maintainers are examples of preventive treatment. |
| Prophylaxis: The scaling and polishing procedure
performed to remove calculus, plaque, and stains from
the crowns of the teeth. |
| Pulp: The hollow chamber inside the crown of the
tooth that contains its nerves and blood vessels. |
| Pulpectomy: Removal of the entire pulp from the canals
in the root. |
| Pulpitis: An often painful inflammation of the dental
pulp or nerve. |
| Pulpotomy: The removal of a portion of the tooth’s
pulp. |
|
Q |
Quadrant: The dental term for the division of the
jaws into four parts, beginning at the midline of the
arch and extending towards the last tooth in the back of the
mouth. There are four quadrants in the mouth; each quadrant
generally contains five to eight
teeth. |
|
R |
| Rebase: The process of refitting a denture by
replacing the base material. |
Receded gums: A condition characterized by the abnormal
loss of gum tissue due to
infection or bone loss. |
|
Referral: When a dental patient from one office is
sent to another dentist, usually a specialist, for treatment
or consultation.
|
| Reline: The process of resurfacing the tissue side
of a denture with a base material. |
| Replantation:
The return of a tooth to its socket. |
| Restoration: Any material or devise used to replace lost
tooth structure (filling, crown) or to replace a lost tooth
or teeth or holds teeth in a fixed position until the bone
solidifies around them. |
| Retainer: A removable dental appliance, usually used
in Orthodontics, that maintains space between teeth or holds
teeth in a fixed position until the bone solidifies around
them. |
| Retrograde filling:
A method of sealing the root canal by
preparing and filling it from the root tip, generally done
at the completion of an Apicoectomy. |
| Root:
The part of the tooth below the crown,
normally encased in the jawbone. It is made up of dentin,
includes the root canal, and is covered by cementum. |
| Root canal: The hollow part of the tooth’s root. It
runs from the tip of the root into the pulp. |
| Root canal therapy: The process of treating disease or
inflammation of the pulp or root canal. This involves
removing the pulp and root’s nerve(s) and filling the
canal(s) with an appropriate material to permanently seal
it. |
| Root
planing: The process of scaling and planing exposed
root surfaces to remove all calculus, plaque, and infected
tissue. |
|
S |
| Scaling: A procedure used to remove plaque, calculus
and stains from the teeth. |
| Sealant: A composite material used to seal the
decay-prone pits, fissures, and grooves of children’s
teeth to prevent decay |
| Six-year molar: The first permanent tooth to erupt, usually
between the ages of five and six. |
| Socket: The hole in the jawbone into which the
tooth fits. |
| Space maintainer: A dental appliance that fills the space of
a lost tooth or teeth and prevents the other teeth from
moving into the space. Used especially in Orthodontic and
pediatric treatment. |
| Stainless steel
crown: A pre-made crown,
shaped like a tooth, that is used to temporarily cover a
seriously decayed or broken down tooth. Used most often on
children’s teeth. |
| Subgingival scaling: The removal of calculus and plaque found on
the tooth above the gum line. |
| Systemic: Relating to the whole body. |
|
T |
| Tartar: Another name for calculus. |
| Temporomandibular
joint (TMJ): The connecting
hinge mechanism between the upper jaw and the base of the
skull. |
| Temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) syndrome: The
problems associated with TMJ, usually involving pain or
discomfort in the joints and ligaments that attach the lower
jaw to the skull or in the muscles used for chewing. |
| Third molar: The last of the three molar teeth, also
called wisdom teeth. There are four third molars, two in the
lower jaw and two in the upper jaw, one on each side. Some
people are born without third molars. |
| Torus: A bony elevation or protuberance of normal
bone, Usually seen on the upper palate behind the front
teeth or under the tongue inside the lower jaw. |
| Treatment plan: A list
of the work the dentist proposes to perform on a dental
patient based on the results of the dental x-rays,
examination and diagnosis. Often more than one treatment
plan is needed. |
|
V |
| Veneer: An artificial filling material, usually
plastic, composite, or porcelain, that is used to provide an
aesthetic covering over the visible surface of a tooth. Most
often used on front teeth. |
|
W |
| Wisdom teeth: The third molar, this is the eighth tooth
from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth.
Wisdom teeth often have to be extracted because they become
impacted. |
|
|
