Resources
Dental Dictionary
Dental Dictionary
ABSCESS: An agonizing infection that generally occurs at a tooth’s root or in the space between the gum and a tooth.
ABUTMENT: The supporting tooth or dental implant that anchors a bridge or denture.
AMALGAM: A durable blend of metals commonly used as a material for dental fillings.
ANESTHETIC: A drug dentist uses to numb the mouth during procedures to prevent pain.
ANTERIOR: Pertaining to the front teeth, typically the incisors and canines.
APEX: The utmost end of a tooth’s root.
ASEPSIS: Sterile condition, free from infection or contaminating microorganisms.
ATTRITION: Wear on teeth surfaces due to regular use such as chewing.
AVULSED: A tooth forcibly displaced, typically due to trauma.
BITEWING: A type of dental X-ray that helps detect cavities between teeth.
BLEACHING: A cosmetic dental procedure that whitens teeth.
BRIDGE: A bridge is a dental device that substitutes for one or more absent teeth, secured to neighboring teeth or dental implants.
BRUXISM: Teeth grinding, often during sleep, can cause damage to teeth.
CANINE: The pointed teeth near the front of the mouth (also known as cuspids).
CANKER SORE: A small, painful ulcer in the mouth’s soft tissues.
CARIES: A scientific designation for tooth decay or cavities.
CAVITY: Decay in the tooth structure that forms a hole.
CAST: A mold made to replicate teeth and oral tissues.
CEMENTATION: The process of bonding a dental appliance or restoration in place.
CHLORHEXIDINE: An antiseptic used in mouthwash to treat gingivitis.
CLASP: A device on dentures or partials to help anchor them to natural teeth.
COLD SORE: A blister on the lip caused by the herpes simplex virus.
COMPOSITE: A tooth-colored resin used as a filling material or for bonding procedures.
CROSSBITE: An abnormal bite where some upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth.
CROWN (PORCELAIN/PLASTIC/METAL): A covering cap fitted onto a compromised tooth to reinstate its form, dimensions, and aesthetics.
DECAY: The deterioration of tooth material resulting from acidic substances released by bacteria.
DENTISTRY: The medical field specializes in teeth, gums, and mouth health.
DENTITION: The arrangement or condition of the set of teeth in the mouth.
DENTURE: (Immediate/complete/partial) (overdenture, temporary) a custom-made dental prosthesis to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Given the diverse range of denture choices on offer, customized to cater to particular therapeutic requirements and personal tastes, people can discover an appropriate option for their dental health needs.
DENTURIST: A specialist who makes and fits dentures.
DESENSITIZATION: Treatment to reduce tooth sensitivity.
DIAGNOSIS: The identification of a dental condition or disease.
DIASTEMA: A gap or space between two teeth.
DISTAL: The position farthest from the center of the mouth.
EDENTULOUS: Having no natural teeth remaining.
ENDODONTICS: The dental specialty dedicated to the care of the pulp within the tooth and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth.
ERUPTION: The process of teeth breaking through the gums.
EXCISION: Surgical removal of tissue.
EXTRUDED: A tooth that has moved out of its normal position, often appearing elongated.
FILLING: A restoration used to repair a tooth with decay or a cavity.
FLIPPER: A temporary partial denture to replace one or more missing teeth.
FLOSS: A string-like dental tool that removes plaque and food particles between teeth.
FLUORIDE: A substance that fortifies tooth enamel and guards against deterioration.
FLUORIDE TREATMENT: A dental application of concentrated fluoride to fortify teeth against cavities.
FRACTURE: A fracture or split in a tooth.
FRAMEWORK: The metal skeleton of partial removable dentures to which false teeth are attached.
GINGIVITIS: Early-stage gum inflammation is often a precursor to more severe gum disease.
HEMORRHAGE: Excessive bleeding in the mouth.
HEMOSTASIS: The process of stopping bleeding, often used during dental surgery.
IMPACTION: A condition where a tooth is blocked from emerging or growing properly.
IMPLANT: A permanent and durable dental implant, usually made of titanium, inserted into the jawbone to substitute for a lost tooth root.
IMPRESSION: A mold taken off the teeth and mouth to assist in creating dental appliances.
INCISAL: Relating to the cutting edges of the front teeth.
INCISOR: A front tooth with a sharp edge for cutting food.
INLAY: A meticulously crafted restoration, typically made of gold, composite, or ceramics, is expertly cemented onto the tooth like the final puzzle piece. This procedure ensures that the tooth regains its natural function and appearance.
INTERPROXIMAL: The space between neighboring teeth.
JAWBONE: This is the hard bone that supports the face and acts as an anchor for the teeth. The upper jaw is known as the “maxilla” and the lower jaw is the mandible. The term for when the jaws bite together is called dental occlusion.
KERATINIZED GINGIVA: is one of two kinds of gingiva, or gum tissue, in the mouth. The keratinized gingiva is the gum tissue that surrounds the necks of the teeth. It is thick and protective, and not designed to be flexible.
LINGUAL: Pertaining to the side of the tooth that faces the tongue.
MESIAL: The surface of the tooth toward the midline of the face.
MOLAR: A large, flat tooth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
MOUTHGUARD: A safeguarding appliance for the mouth that envelops the teeth and gums to avert harm.
NIGHTGUARD: A mouthpiece is worn during sleep to prevent bruxism (teeth grinding).
OCCLUSAL: Pertaining to the occlusal surface of the molar and premolar teeth.
OCCLUSION: The positioning and interaction of the top and bottom teeth upon closing the mouth.
ONLAY: A custom-made filling bonded to a tooth, covering one or more cusps.
OPEN BITE: A type of malocclusion characterized by a gap where the anterior teeth fail to touch upon jaw closure.
ORTHODONTICS: Orthodontics is the dental specialty focuses on correcting irregularities in the teeth and jaw.
OVERBITE: A condition in which the front upper teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth, extending further down.
OVERHANG: Excess material from a dental filling extends beyond the tooth margin.
PALATE: The roof of the mouth, separating oral and nasal cavities.
PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPH: An X-ray that fully views the upper and lower jaws, teeth, and surrounding structures.
PERFORATION: An unintended hole penetrating through a tooth or its root structure.
PERIAPICAL: Relating to the area surrounding the tip of the tooth root.
PERIODONTICS: The dental specialty that manages diseases of the gums and supporting structures.
PERMANENT TEETH: The set of permanent teeth that replace the initial, primary set and are designed to endure for the entire lifespan.
PIN: A small metal or plastic rod used to reinforce the structure of a tooth and retain a filling.
POLISH: The procedure of smoothing teeth or dental restorations to a glossy finish.
PONTIC: The artificial tooth in a bridge that replaces a missing tooth.
POST: A rod inserted into a tooth root to support a crown or restoration.
POSTERIOR: Pertaining to the back teeth, including premolars and molars.
PRE-AUTHORIZATION: Confirmation from an insurance company for a treatment plan before services are provided.
PRE-MEDICATION: Medication administered before dental treatments, often for pain or anxiety control.
PREMOLAR: Teeth positioned between the canines and molars, serving the purpose of chewing and grinding and acting as transitional dentition.
PRESCRIPTION: A prescription is a crucial written directive from a health professional to a pharmacist outlining a patient’s specific medication, dosage, and administration instructions. In dentistry, a prescription can also refer to a written order from a dentist to a lab technician to fabricate a dental appliance. Prescriptions are vital in ensuring appropriate and effective medical treatment, and their accurate implementation is essential for patient well-being.
PRIMARY TEETH: Also known as baby or deciduous teeth, they’re the first teeth in human development.
PROPHYLAXIS/PROPHY: A preventive dental cleaning that removes plaque, tartar, and stains.
PROSTHESIS: An artificial appliance to replace missing teeth and adjacent tissues.
PROSTHODONTICS: The dental specialty deals with replacing missing teeth and related mouth or jaw structures.
PULP: The soft center of a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.
PULPECTOMY: The complete dental pulp (nerve) removal from a tooth.
PULPOTOMY: Partial removal of the tooth pulp to maintain the vitality of the remaining portion of the pulpal tissue.
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RADIOGRAPH: An image produced by radiography or a dental X-ray.
RECALL: A routine dental appointment for examination and cleaning.
RECEMENTation: The reattaching of a crown or bridge that has come loose.
RESTORATION: The repair of a damaged or decayed tooth, returning it to its normal shape and function.
RETAINER: An orthodontic appliance used after braces, maintaining the position of straightened teeth.
RETREATMENT: A procedure to correct or redo a previous dental treatment, often used in the context of root canal therapy.
ROOT: The part of the tooth that is anchored into the jawbone.
ROOT CANAL: The natural cavity within the root of a tooth or the dental procedure that removes infected material from this space.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: A treatment to address a diseased or damaged tooth by extracting the pulp and sealing the root canal space.
ROOT PLANING: A meticulous cleaning method that clears away tooth roots’s plaque and calculus and smooths out the surfaces.
RUBBER DAM: A sheet to isolate the teeth being treated and prevent swallowing or inhaling debris.
SCALING: The removal of plaque, bacterial toxins, and tartar from the surface of teeth and beneath the gums.
SEALANT: A preventive layer placed on the occlusal surfaces of the molars and premolars to ward off cavities.
SEDATION: The administration of drugs to assist in calming patients during dental treatments.
SPACE MAINTAINER: A dental appliance that maintains the gap created by a missing tooth, promoting correct development and positioning of the permanent teeth.
SPLINT: A device to support, protect, or immobilize oral structures that have been loosened, fractured, or injured.
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ): The joint that attaches the lower jaw to the skull, responsible for facilitating jaw motion.
TORUS: A bony growth in the mouth, typically occurring on the palate or the mandible.
ULTRA-COOL SCALER: It’s a device used by dentists to clean teeth and remove plaque using ultrasonic vibrations.
VENEER: A dental veneer consists of a slender piece of material that matches the color of teeth, such as porcelain, composite, or ceramic, affixed to the tooth’s front surface. They are often utilized to improve the visual appeal of teeth.
WISDOM TOOTH: One of the third molars at the back of the mouth that typically appears in late adolescence or early adulthood.
XEROSTOMIA: Characterized by a decrease or absence of saliva production leading to a dry oral condition.
YEAST: A general term for a fungus occurring as a . unicellular, nucleated organism that usually reproduces by budding. Some yeasts may reproduce by fission, many producing mycelia or pseudomycelia.
ZYGOMATIC BONE: More commonly known as the cheekbone, this is the quadrangular bone on either side of the face that forms the cheek prominence. A zygomatic implant is intended to replace teeth in the upper jaw.
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