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Glossary of Dental Terms

We’ve put together this handy reference guide of terms you might hear when discussing with your dentist.

Please don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or clinician for clarification of any terms.  We’re are always glad to help you every step of the way in achieving your best oral health.

A - H | I - P | Q - Z

A

  • Abrasion:

    Loss of tooth structure caused by a hard toothbrush, poor brushing technique or bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth).

  • Abscess:

    An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone.

  • Abutment:

    A tooth or teeth that supports a fixed or removable bridge.

  • Adhesive Dentistry:

    Contemporary term for dental restorations that involve “bonding” of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth.

  • Air Abrasion:

    Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the need for anesthetic.

  • Allergy:

    Unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug.

  • Alveolar Bone:

    The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.

  • Amalgam:

    A most common filling material, also known as silver fillings, containing mercury (approximately 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc.

  • Analgesia:

    A state of pain relief or an agent that lessens pain.

  • Anesthesia:

    A state of pain relief or an agent that lessens pain.

  • Anterior Teeth:

    The six upper or six lower front teeth.

  • Antibiotic:

    A drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria.

  • ANUG:

    An acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent’s disease, which can be aggravated by stress and/or smoking.

  • 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.

B

  • Base:

    Cement placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve chamber).

  • Bicuspid or Pre-molar:

    Transitional teeth behind the cuspids.

  • Bifurcation (Trifurcation):

    Juncture of two (three) roots in posterior teeth.

  • Biopsy:

    Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination.

  • Bite:

    Relationship of the upper and lower teeth on closure (occlusion).

  • Bite Wings:

    Caries (decay) detection devices used during X-rays.

  • Black Hairy Tongue:

    Elongated papillae on the tongue, promoting the growth of microorganisms.

  • Bleaching:

    Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for whitening effect.

  • Block Injection:

    Anesthesia of a nerve trunk that covers a large area of the jaw. A mandibular block injection produces numbness of the lower jaw, teeth and half the tongue.

  • Bonding:

    Adhesive dental restoration technique. A tooth-colored composite resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth.

  • Bone Resorption:

    Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth, which is a common result of periodontal (gum disease).

  • Braces:

    Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth to a more favorable alignment.

  • Bridge:

    Bridges resemble natural teeth, and are designed to take the place of areas where there are gaps between teeth. bridge is a stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space. It replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded, to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space. If you need a crown or bridge you’ll be expertly fitted by one of our specialists. No more worrying that the crown or bridge is going to be ill fitting or look unnatural.

    The world of dentistry is growing by leaps and bounds, and soon crowns and bridges will be much more affordable for anyone who would like to have them. While some are covered by some types of insurance (wholly or partly), it depends on the company and the reason for the crown and/or bridge. Those put in place solely for cosmetic purposes may not always be covered, or may only be covered after a specific deductible has been met. Let us help keep your smile flawless.

  • Bruxism:

    Grinding or gnashing of the teeth, most commonly while the patient is asleep.

C

  • Calcium:

    Chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves.

  • Calculus:

    Hard residue, commonly known as tartar, that forms on teeth due to inadequate plaque control. Calculus teeth often are stained yellow or brown.

  • Canine teeth:

    There are two upper and land two ower canine (cuspid) teeth.

  • Canker Sore:

    Mouth sore that appears whitish and often has a red halo. A canker sore usually has a 10-14 day duration.

  • Cantilever Bridge:

    Fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth only on one end.

  • Cap:

    Common term for dental crown.

  • Caries:

    Tooth decay or “cavities.”

  • Cast or Model:

    Reproduction of structures made by pouring plaster or stone into a mold.

  • Cavitron:

    Dental tool that uses high frequency ultrasonic waves to clean teeth.

  • Cellulitis:

    Soft tissue infection causing extensive hard swelling, a potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate attention.

  • Cementum:

    Hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth.

  • Chart:

    Log of dental or medical records.

  • Clasp:

    Device that retains a removable partial denture to stationary teeth.

  • Cleaning:

    Cleaning is a word that has been misused to identify a procedure that is routinely completed on a patient that is free of disease or has a healthy mouth. The appropriate word for this type of “cleaning” is prophylaxis, which is the specific type of cleaning that most insurance companies cover two times per year. There are several different types of “cleanings” that are recommended by the dentist and hygienist depending on the patient’s oral health. To determine which type of “cleaning” is prescribed for you, please ask your dental professional.

  • Composite Resin:

    Material composed of plastic with small glass or ceramic particles that is usually cured with filtered light or chemical catalyst.

  • Cosmetic Dentistry:

    If you’re interested in correcting minor flaws in your smile we can help. Your teeth may be stained from years of coffee or wine drinking that has dulled your smile. We can help with an in-office or at-home plan to whiten them. Veneers and bonding can help correct minor flaws and gaps and will improve your smile.

  • CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation):

    Artificial procedures employed by a rescuer after cessation of breathing or heart stoppage.

  • Crossbite:

    Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth also known as underbite, as in Class III malocclusuion (prognathic jaw).

  • Crown:

    Dental crowns and bridges are very popular among people of all ages, of either sex, and regardless of ethnic diversity. These are mostly cosmetic forms of treatment, covering unsightly teeth or replacing missing teeth for most. Because they look (and feel) more like real teeth, they are most commonly sought for those who have crooked, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth as a way of improving overall mouth health and achieving a beautiful smile. Tooth crowns are placed over existing teeth, and are typically a way to cover teeth that have metal fillings or misshapen teeth. Because they go on over what is already there, there is no need for the tooth to be pulled. Teeth crowns are an excellent way to improve a smile quickly and efficiently, and more permanent crowns normally replace temporary ones in less than a week.

    If you need a crown or bridge you’ll be expertly fitted by one of our specialists. No more worrying that the crown or bridge is going to be ill fitting or look unnatural. Let us help keep your smile flawless.

  • Curettage:

    Removal of diseased tissue from a periodontal pocket.

  • Cusp:

    Mound on posterior teeth.

  • Cuspid or Canine:

    The four “eye teeth.”

  • Cyst:

    A soft or hard tissue sac filled with fluid.

D

  • D.D.S.:

    Doctor of Dental Surgery, equivalent to D.M.D.

  • D.M.D.:

    Doctor of Medical Dentistry, equivalent to D.D.S.

  • Decay:

    Destruction of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by bacteria.

  • Deciduous Teeth:

    Commonly called “baby teeth,” the first set of teeth.

  • Dental Implant:

    A dental implant is a titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance. Whether you have lost one or more teeth due to decay or an accident, we can help you feel confident and get you smiling again with natural looking dental implants.

  • Dentin:

    Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel.

  • Dentition:

    The arrangement of natural or artificial teeth in the mouth.

  • Denture:

    Dentures are removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth. Whether you have lost teeth due to decay or an accident, we can help you feel confident and get you smiling again with properly fitting dentures. Let us work with you to determine what method works best for you.

  • Denturism:

    The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians.

  • Diastema:

    A space between teeth.

  • Dental Consultation:

    A diagnostic service provided by a dentist.

E

  • Enamel:

    Hard tissue covering the portion of tooth above the gum line.

  • Endodontist:

    A specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve chamber).

  • Epidemiology:

    The study of the incidence of disease in a population.

  • Eruption:

    The process of teeth protruding through the gums.

  • Exfoliate:

    The process of shedding deciduous (baby) teeth.

  • Exodontia:

    The practice of dental extractions.

  • Explorer:

    A sharp instrument used to detect decay on the surface of teeth.

  • Extraction:

    Removal of a tooth.

  • Filling:

    Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials. We are proud that we use only the latest technologies for fillings. Your smile will remain unflawed if you should need a filling. Let us take care of your cavities with our expert filling processes.

  • Forceps:

    An instrument used for removal of teeth.

  • Frenectomy:

    The removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

  • Endodontics:

    Treatment of infections and diseases of the pulpal (nerve) areas of teeth, including root canals.

F

  • Facing:

    Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown that is made of acrylic, composite or porcelain.

  • FAGD:

    Fellowship Academy of General Dentistry.

  • Fistula:

    The channel that emanates pus from an infection site, which is a gum boil.

  • Flap Surgery:

    The lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures.

  • Forensic Dentistry:

    The practice of gathering legal evidence for body identification or judicial issues.

  • Fossa:

    The valley found on the surface of posterior teeth.

  • Freeway Space:

    The distance between the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position.

  • Full Denture:

    A removable dental prosthesis (appliance) that replaces all upper or lower teeth.

  • Full Mouth Reconstruction:

    Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns and/or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.

G

  • General Anesthesia:

    Controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command.

  • Geographic Tongue:

    Benign changes in the usual color and texture of tongue that does not require treatment.

  • Gingiva:

    Gum tissue.

  • Gingivectomy:

    The surgical removal of gum tissue.

  • Gingivitis:

    The inflammation of gum tissue.

  • GTR:

    Guided tissue regeneration – a new technique for replacing bone tissue.

  • Gum Boil:

    See fistula.

  • Gum Recession:

    The exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease or surgery.

H

  • Halitosis:

    Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin.

  • Heimlich Maneuver:

    A techinque employed by a rescuer due to the obstruction of victim’s airway.

  • Hematoma:

    The swelling of effused blood beneath tissue surface.

  • HMO or DMO:

    Health or Dental Maintenance Organization, which specifies a health or dental care provider that a patient may see.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide:

    A disinfecting solution used in dental irrigation procedures or as a mouth rinse.

  • Hygienist:

    A dental professional who specializes in education and prevention of oral disease. A hygienist partners with the dentist to assess the oral environment for signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, and is educated to provide therapeutic care in the treatment of bacterial infections within the oral environment. In some states, a dental hygienist may establish a dental hygiene diagnosis and treatment plan, administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia, and restore teeth with fillings.

  • Hyperemia:

    Increased blood flow that may cause dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets. May precede an abscess.

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