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Glossary of Common Dental Terms
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
Abrasion - Loss of tooth structure caused by a hard toothbrush, poor
brushing technique, or Bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth)
Abscess - A localized infection in the bone or soft gum tissues, usually
at the end of the root tip
Abutment - The natural tooth that holds in place a fixed or removable
bridge
Air Abrasion - Tiny particles of aluminum oxide blasted in a stream of
water at the tooth to remove the decayed debris and ruined enamel of cavities
Allergy - Unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug
Alveolar Bone - The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth
Amalgam - The most common filling material used for fillings, also
referred to as mercury or silver
Analgesia - A state of pain relief; an agent to lessen pain
Anesthesia - Relieves the sensation of pain. See General Anesthesia, IV
Sedation and Local Anesthesia
Anterior Teeth - The six upper or six lower front teeth
Antibiotic - A drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria
Apex- The tip of the root of a tooth
Apicoectomy - Surgical removal of the root tip to treat a dead tooth
Arch - Describes the alignment of the upper or lower teeth
Attrition - Loss of structure due to natural wear
Autoclave - A device that has a chamber where instruments are placed and
steam under pressure is injected, in order to complete sterilization
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B
Base - Cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the nerve
chamber
Bicuspid or Pre-Molar -Transitional teeth behind the cuspids
Biopsy - Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination
Bite - The way in which the upper and lower teeth meet when closing the
mouth
Bite Wings - Decay detection x-rays
Bleaching - Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening
effect
Bonding - The covering of a tooth surface with a composite resin, to
correct stained or damaged teeth
Braces - Devices used by Orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth
Bridge - Prosthetic (false) teeth or row of teeth that spans between two
natural teeth
Bruxism - Involuntary, "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient
is asleep
Buccal - Refers to the cheek side of back tooth.
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C
Calcium - Chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves
Calculus - Hard residue, commonly know as "tartar", that forms on teeth
due to inadequate plaque control, often stained yellow or brown
Canker Sore - Mouth sore appearing whitish, often with a red halo
Cantilever Bridge - Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on
one end
Cap - Common term for dental crown (See Crown)
Cavities - A decay lesion or hole in a tooth
Clasp - Device that holds a removable partial denture to stationary
teeth
Cleaning - Removal of plaque and tartar from teeth, generally above the
gum line
Composite Filling - A tooth-colored filling that looks like a natural
tooth
Cosmetic Dentistry - Treatments performed to enhance appearance (e.g.,
bleaching, veneers)
Crown - A porcelain or gold cover for a decayed, damaged, or discolored
tooth
Cross Bite - Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth, e.g.,
"under bite"
Curettage - Removal of diseased tissue from a periodontal pocket
Cuspids - The large pointed teeth at the corners of the mouth, located
between the incisors and bicuspids. Also known as canine or eye teeth
Cusps - The raised round parts on the chewing surface of the teeth
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D
DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD - Doctor of Medical Dentistry
Decay - Destruction of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by
bacteria
Deciduous Teeth - Commonly called "baby teeth", the first set of
(usually) twenty teeth
Dentin - Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface
enamel
Dental Floss - A waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon string that is inserted
between the teeth and moved in an up/down fashion for the removal of plaque or
other food deposits
Dental Implant - Usually a titanium cylinder surgically placed in the
bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or
appliance
Dentition - The arrangement of natural or artificial teeth in the mouth.
Denture - Removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth
Diastema - Space between teeth
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E
Enamel - The hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line.
The hardest substance in the body
Endodontics - The branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of
the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure is a root
canal
Endodontist - A specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections
of the tooth pulp
Extraction - Removal of a tooth
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F
Facial - Refers to the cheek(lip)side of a front (or back) tooth.
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.
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G
Gingiva - The soft tissue that covers the jawbone. Also referred to as
the gums.
Gingivectomy - The surgical 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).
Gluma - Gluma is a desensitizing chemistry for treating and preventing
dentinal hypersensitivity. Gluma's patented (Heraeus Kulzer)
glutaraldehyde/HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) formula acts in seconds to
seal dentinal tubules, preventing the fluid shifting recognized as the primary
cause of localized hypersensitivity. Gluma also inhibits the growth of
bacteria, which are also indicated as a cause of sensitivity. Gluma's patented
formula works within the dentinal tubule complex by reacting with protein
fluids to form a physiological seal within the tubules. No surface layer is
formed, making Gluma ideal for use under all indirect restorations.
Graft - A piece of gum tissue or synthetic material placed in contact
with tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency.
Gum - See "Gingiva."
Gum disease - See "Periodontal disease."
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H
High noble metal - See "Metals, classification of."
HIPAA - The HIPAA privacy rules, which healthcare providers must comply
with beginning April 14th, 2003, are part of a broad band of legislation
contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA,
which Congress adopted into law in 1996.
Hypersensitivity - Typically refers to tooth pain that is caused very
easily and with a stimulus that normally would elicit no feeling.
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I
Immediate denture - A denture constructed for immediate placement after
removal of teeth.
Impacted tooth - An unerupted or partially erupted tooth whose 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.
Incisal edge - The biting edge of front teeth. Compare to occlusal
surface.
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 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.
Indirect restoration - Restorations in dental terminology refer to
repairs of teeth, like fillings; however, there are many ways to repair teeth
in addition to fillings. Fillings, whether they are gold foil, silver/amalgam,
or tooth-colored composite fillings are all placed directly into teeth and are
completed as one continuous procedure - these are direct restorations.
Indirect restorations include inlays, onlays, and crowns. These types of
restorations are made after the tooth has been shaped (also called prepared),
and are cemented or bonded in as a separate procedure - these are indirect
restorations.
Inlay - A strong, durable material made outside the mouth used to
replace part of a tooth (can be metallic or tooth-colored) and is cemented or
bonded once it is constructed. Compare to a filling which is packed into the
tooth. An inlay is an indirect restoration.
Interproximal - The area between two adjacent teeth.
Intracoronal - The area inside the crown of a tooth.
Intraoral - The inside of the mouth.
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L
Labial - The area pertaining to or around the lip.
Laser Cavity Detection - A laser diode provides pulsed light of a
defined wave-length that is directed onto the tooth. When the light meets a
change in tooth substance, it stimulates fluorescent light of a different
wavelength. This is translated through the handpiece into an acoustic signal,
and the wavelength is then evaluated by an appropriate electronic system.
Lingual - The area pertaining to or around the tongue. Also referring to
the tongue-side as opposed to the cheek-side. See "Buccal, Facial."
Local anesthetic - The injection given in the mouth to numb the areas
where a tooth or area requires a dental procedure. Often referred to as
Novocain.
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M
Malocclusion - The improper alignment of teeth.
Mandible - The lower jaw.
Maryland bridge - The name that has become synonymous with any resin
bonded fixed partial denture (bridge). Typically, a Maryland bridge does not
require as much shaping for the anchor teeth like a conventional bridge.
Mastication - The act of chewing.
Maxilla - The upper jaw.
Mesial - Refers to the side of tooth, between teeth, towards the front.
See "Distal."
Metals, classification of - The noble metal classification system 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 60% or more of gold, palladium, and/or platinum (with at
least 40% gold) noble contains 25% or more of gold, palladium and/or platinum
predominantly base contains less than 25% gold, palladium and/or platinum
Molars - The broad 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. Ideally, a healthy mouth usually does not include wisdom
teeth.
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N
Nitrous oxide - A controlled mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gases (N2O)
that is inhaled by the person in order to decrease sensitivity to pain and/or
anxiety. Also referred to as laughing gas.
Novocain - A generic name for the many kinds of anesthetics used in the
dental injection, such as Xylocaine, Lidocaine, Novocain and other local
anesthetics. Novocain has not actually been used for decades. See "Local
Aanesthetic."
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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. Compare to
incisal edge.
Occlusion - Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of upper and
lower teeth.
Onlay - A strong, durable material made outside the mouth used to
replace part of a tooth, including one or more points or cusps of the tooth,
(can be metallic or tooth-colored) and is cemented or bonded once it is
constructed. Compare to a filling which is packed into the tooth. Also compare
to an inlay, which does not replace a cusp. An onlay is an indirect
restoration.
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 - Refers to the vertical overlap of teeth. Everyone has an
overbite, what varies is how much.
Overjet - Refers to the horizontal overlap of teeth. Everyone has an
overjet, what varies is how much. A substantial overjet is sometimes referred
to as "buck" teeth.
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P
Palate - The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth.
Palliative - Treatment that relieves pain but is NOT curative.
Palmer Notation - see "Tooth Numbering"
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.
Pediatric dentistry - The specialized branch of dentistry that deals
solely with treating children's dental disease. Also referred to as
pedodontics.
Periapical - The area that surrounds the root tip of a tooth.
Pericoronitis - An inflammation of the gum tissue around the crown of a
tooth.
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 tissues surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis (gums) and
periodontitis (gums and bone) are the two main forms of periodontal disease.
Also called gum disease or pyorrhea.
Periodontal pocket - An abnormal deepening of the gum 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.
Periodontist - Dental specialist with expertise in surgically treating
the effects of periodontal disease.
Periodontitis - Inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth,
including the gum, the periodontal ligament, and the jawbone.
Periradicular - The area which surrounds a portion of the root of the
tooth.
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.
Primary teeth - The first set of teeth lasting until the permanent teeth
come in. Also referred to as deciduous teeth or baby teeth.
Prophylaxis - Teeth cleaning - the scaling and polishing procedure
performed to remove calculus, plaque, and stains from the crowns of the teeth.
Prosthesis - The technical term for some artificial part. A partial
denture is called a removable prosthesis. A bridge is called a fixed
prosthesis.
Prosthodontics - The dental specialty dealing with the replacement of
missing teeth and other oral structures.
Pulp - The hollow chamber inside the crown of the tooth that contains
its nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue - often considered
synonymous with the 'nerve' of the tooth.
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.
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Q
Quadrant - The dental term for the division of the jaws into four parts.
There are four quadrants in the mouth. Two upper and two lower quadrants, both
divided at the midline of the mouth.
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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.
Reline - The process of resurfacing the tissue side of a denture with a
base material.
Replantation - The return of a tooth to its socket.
Resorption - The breakdown or dissolving of a hard structure like bone
or tooth.
Restoration - Any material or device used to replace lost tooth
structure (filling, inlay/onlay, crown) or to replace a lost tooth or teeth
(bridge, dentures, complete or partial).
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. Also a technical term for bridge anchor or
abutment.
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 (smoothing) exposed
root surfaces above and below the gumline to remove all calculus and plaque.
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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 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.
Stainless steel crown - A pre-made metal 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 below the gum line.
Supragingival scaling - The removal of calculus and plaque found on the
tooth above the gum line.
Systemic - Relating to the whole body.
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T
Tartar - See"Calculus"
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) - The connecting hinge mechanism between
the upper jaw and the base of the skull - the jaw joint.
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 permanent 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, and not
everyone that has wisdom teeth has four of them.
Tooth Numbering - standardized system for referring to specific teeth.
Torus - A bony elevation or protuberance of normal bone. Usual locations
are the middle of the roof of the mouth and on the tongue-side of the lower jaw
bone.
Trismus - a sustained spasm of the jaw muscles.
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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.
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W
Whitening - Causing the teeth to appear brighter by applying certain
medicaments. Can be done at home. Not a permanent treatment, it lasts for six
to twelve months, and is easily maintained or retreated.
Wisdom teeth - See "Third Molar"
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X
Xylitol - a naturally occurring sweetener, that does not cause decay.
X-ray - X-rays were discovered by physicist Wilhem Conrad Roentgen,
November 8, 1895. X-ray is derived from the German, X-strahl ("X" designating
unknown, and strahl meaning "ray or beam"). Today x-rays are recognized as
important diagnostic tools to visualize areas inside bodies / objects that are
otherwise undetectable. In dentistry x-rays are used to detect cavities, and
also for examining the supporting jawbone and surrounding structures.
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