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Glossary of Dental Terms

A B C D E F G H I J-K-L M N O-Z

Simply click on the letter above to get the definition of dental terms.

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 (See Illustration)

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 (See Illustration)

Bruxism	Involuntary, "nervous" grinding of the teeth while the patient is asleep

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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 (See Illustration)

Cross Bite	Reverse biting relationship of upper and lower teeth, e.g.#44; "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 (See Illustration)

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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. To view Primary Dentition, click here. To view Permanent Dentition, click here.

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

Facing	Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown

Filling	Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials

Flap Surgery	Lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures

Fluoride	A chemical that is used to strengthen the teeth

Frenectomy	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

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G

General Anesthesia	A "deep sleep" general anesthesia renders you unconscious

Gingivectomy	Surgical removal of gum tissue

Gingivitis	Inflammation of gum tissue, early stage of gum disease

Gum Recession	Exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease or surgery

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H

Halimeter	An instrument used in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic halitosis

Halitosis	Bad breath

Heat Sterilization	A procedure that involves a chamber into which instruments are placed and which raises the temperature for a period of time to kill all microorganisms

Hygienist	A type of dental professional qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care

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I

Imaging	A photograph of teeth stored in a computer and then displayed on a television monitor. The dentist is able to show you an image of your smile with new, repaired or whitened teeth

Impacted Tooth	A tooth that fails to erupt properly and remains fully or partially embedded and covered over by bone or gum tissue (See Illustration)

Implant	A fixed replacement for a missing tooth

Impression	Mold made of the teeth and soft tissues

Incisors	The four upper or lower single-cusped front teeth designed for incising or cutting food (See Illustration)

Inlay	A custom made cast-gold alloy that is cemented to a previously prepared cavity in the tooth

Interproximal	Surfaces of adjoining teeth

Interocclusal	Space between upper and lower teeth

Intraoral camera	A small video camera used to view and magnify oral conditions; images may be viewed on a monitor or printed

IV Sedation	Anesthesia used for people who want to be asleep during dental procedures. It is sometimes described as a "light" anesthesia. (See Anesthesia, Local Anesthesia)

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J-K-L

Jacket	Crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain

Laminate	Thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth

Lasers	Dental lasers are a family of instruments, some used for surgery, some to cure (harden) restorative tooth materials and enhance tooth bleaching, and others to remove tooth structure to eliminate disease

Laughing Gas	Nitrous oxide; odorless inhalation agent that produces relative sedation; reduces anxiety and creates a state of relaxation

Limiting Age of Coverage	The age at which a dependent covered by a dental plan is no longer eligible to receive benefits. Most dental plans offer an extension of benefits beyond the limiting age of coverage to student and handicapped dependents.

Local Anesthesia	Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized area. (See Anesthesia, IV Sedation)

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M

Malocclusion	"Bad bite" or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth

Managed Care	Program whereby patient-dentist agreement and dentist reimbursement is administered by a separate, external organization

Mandible	The lower jaw

Margin	Interface between a restoration and tooth structure

Maryland Bridge	A bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth; requires minimum tooth reduction

Maxilla	The upper jaw

Medicated Filling	A provisional or temporary filling which incorporates a pallative or soothing medication to calm an inflamed tooth nerve

Molars	The back teeth that are designed for grinding food before swallowing. (See Illustration)

Mouthguard	A removable appliance used to protect teeth from injury during athletic activities

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N

Nerve (Root) Canal	Dental pulp; the internal chamber of a tooth

Night Guard	A removable acrylic appliance used to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (TMD), usually worn at night

Nitrous Oxide	A gas used to reduce patient anxiety, also called "laughing gas"

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