DENTAL DICTIONARY
Anesthetic
An anesthetic causes the temporary loss of feeling or sensation.
Anterior
Anterior refers to the front position.
Apex
Apex is the end of the tooth root.
Asepsis
Asepsis means there is no presence of bacteria or microorganisms.
Attrition
Attrition refers to wear on the teeth due to chewing or other activities.
Avulsion
An avulsion is an injury which involves a tooth that has been completely knocked out.
Bitewing
Bitewing dental x-rays are taken with the teeth biting down together. This x-ray helps detect cavities between the teeth and checks the height of bone support.
Bleaching
Bleaching refers to teeth whitening treatments.
Bridge
A bridge is a fixed dental device which replaces a single or multiple missing teeth.
Bruxism
Bruxism refers to teeth grinding.
Canine
The canine tooth is the third from the middle. There are four and they are the longest teeth in humans.
Canker sore
Canker sores are ulcers in the mouth that look yellow with a red border. They may be caused by trauma or the herpes simplex virus.
Caries
Caries are another term for tooth decay.
Cavity
A cavity is a hole in the mouth due to tooth decay.
Cast
A cast is the model or mold that is created of the teeth.
Cementation
Cementation refers to the process of adhering an appliance, prosthesis, or restoration into place.
Chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent. It is available as a gel or rinse and effectively helps control gum disease.
Clasp
A clasp is the metal arm or piece that extends from a removable partial denture. The clasp attaches to the natural tooth and works to anchor the denture.
Cold sore
A cold sore is an ulcer or blister on the lip that forms due to the herpes simplex virus.
Composite
Composite is the material used for white dental fillings.
Cross-bite
A crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaw do not meet naturally. The lower teeth line up more toward the cheek or lip rather than with the upper teeth.
Crown
A crown acts like a cap that partially or completely covers the tooth above the gum line. The crown restores a tooth’s function and appearance.
Decay
Tooth decay occurs through demineralization of the tooth enamel and dentin. It can also be an infection within the tooth. Tooth decay requires treatment.
Dentistry
Dentistry involves diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases of the mouth, teeth, and associated structures.
Dentition
Dentition is the number, type, and position of the teeth in the jaws.
Denture
Dentures are artificial appliances that replace missing teeth. There are a variety of types of dentures (immediate/implant-retained/complete/partial/overdenture/temporary) depending on a patient’s needs and preferences.
Denturist
A denturist diagnoses, prevents, and treats oral diseases.
Desensitization
Desensitization is done to reduce teeth sensitivity.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the process of identifying dental disease.
Diastema
A diastema refers to the space between teeth.
Distal
Distal indicates the direction in the mouth that points away from the middle of the jaw.
Edentulous
Edentulous means no teeth.
Endodontics
Endodontics is the division of dentistry that involves diagnosing, preventing, and treating the dental pulp which is where the nerves and blood vessels are located within the tooth.
Eruption
Eruption occurs when the tooth starts to appear in the mouth.
Excision
Excision involves cutting or excising something.
Extruded
Extruded is when a tooth has partially been pushed out of its socket.
Filling
A filling is a type of dental restoration that is placed on the tooth to strengthen it restoring its function and appearance.
Flipper
A flipper is a temporary denture that replaces missing teeth while the patient waits for more permanent or long-term treatment.
Floss
Dental floss is the string or thread that cleans and removes particles from between the teeth.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a compound that can come as a water, gel, or rinse to strengthen the teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment involves using the fluoride agent to prevent tooth decay.
Fracture
A fracture occurs when a tooth has been weakened. The crack may extend into the root damaging the pulp.
Framework
The framework refers to the metal frame or skeleton of a removable partial denture that supports the false teeth and attachments.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a mild phase of gum disease that often involves inflamed or bleeding gums.
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage is bleeding.
Hemostasis
Hemostasis involves stopping bleeding or hemorrhaging.
Impaction
Impaction occurs when a tooth is not able to erupt normally or when it is stuck under a tooth or bone.
Implant
A dental implant is a device placed in the jaw to replace a missing tooth and support a false tooth, a denture, or a bridge.
Impression
Impressions are molds or models taken with a jelly or putty-like substance.
Incisal
Incisal refers to the cutting area along the front teeth.
Incisor
Incisors are the four upper and lower front teeth.
Inlay
Inlays are dental restorations often made of gold, composite or ceramics that restore the tooth’s natural functions.
Interproximal
Interproximal refers to the space between two adjacent teeth.
Lingual
Lingual is the side of the tooth nearest the tongue.
Mesial
Mesial is the tooth side that points toward the middle of the jaw.
Molar
Molars are your last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.
Mouthguard
A mouthguard is worn to prevent injury to the teeth/jaw during sports or from teeth grinding.
Night guard
A night guard is simply a mouthguard worn at night.
Occlusal
Occlusal refers to the biting surface on the back teeth.
Occlusion
An occlusion refers to how the upper and lower teeth close or meet together.
Onlay
An onlay covers the tooth’s biting surface.
Open bite
An open bite occurs when the upper teeth do not contact the lower teeth when biting down.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics involves diagnosing, preventing, and treating abnormalities or irregularities of the bite and/or face.
Over bite
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth when biting down.
Overhang
Overhang is the filling material that hangs or droops beyond the border of the cavity.
Palate
The palate refers to the top of the oral cavity.
Panoramic Radiograph
A panoramic radiograph is an x-ray showing the wide view of the upper and lower jaws.
Perforation
A perforation is an opening in a tooth or other oral structure.
Periapical
Periapical is the surrounding of the tooth root.
Periodontics
Periodontics is the dental speciality that relates to gum or periodontal disease.
Permanent teeth
Permanent teeth are the adult teeth. They begin to come in around age 6.
Pin
The pin is the surrounding of the root of a tooth.
Post
A post is a big pin often made of metal or carbon. The post helps support a big buildup on a tooth.
Posterior
Posterior refers to locations at the back.
Pre-authorization
Pre-authorization is the prior approval usually from a dental insurance company before a treatment is performed.
Pre-medication
Pre-medication is taken prior to treatment.
Premolar
Premolars are the two teeth in front of the molars.
Prescription
A prescription is a written form from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist. It states the type, amount, and directions for a medication or appliance for a patient.
Primary teeth
Primary teeth are baby teeth.
Prophylaxis/
prophy
Prophylaxis involves the cleaning or polishing of the teeth to prevent oral diseases.
Prosthesis
A dental prosthesis is an artificial device to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics involves diagnosing, treating, and creating the devices or restorations that replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Pulp
The pulp of the tooth is the innermost area which houses the nerves and blood vessels.
Pulpectomy
A pulpotomy removes only the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy removes only the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.
Radiograph
A radiograph is an x-ray image.
Recall
Recall referrals to your routine dental exam and teeth cleaning appointment.
Recementation
Recementation involves adhering or gluing an appliance/prosthesis back onto the associated area.
Retainer
A retainer helps keep the teeth in the correct position after orthodontic treatment.
Retreatment
Retreatment involves repeating the root canal treatment.
Root
The root is the bottom of the tooth that anchors the tooth to the mouth and supporting structures.
Root canal
A root canal runs inside the tooth root and contains the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.
Root canal treatment
A root canal treatment treats and cleanses the root canal.
Root planing
Root planing is the cleaning of the tooth root.
Rubber dam
A rubber dam fits around the tooth to isolate the area from the rest of the mouth.
Scaling
Scaling refers to the treatment for cleaning below the gum line.
Sealant
A dental sealant is a thin layer of material that covers the grooves of the tooth to prevent cavities.
Sedation
Sedation involves using medication to keep a patient calm.
Space Maintainer
A space maintainer is an appliance that keeps space between the teeth.
Splint
A splint prevents movement of a mobile part.
Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint links the two parts of the jaw.
Torus
Torus is a bone growth that usually occurs on the roof of the mouth or around the premolars on the lower jaw.
Veneer
Veneers are thin layers of tooth-colored material that are applied to the front of the teeth. They are often used to enhance the appearance of the teeth.
Wisdom tooth
Wisdom teeth are the last and final molars. Each wisdom tooth is the eighth (or last) tooth from the middle of the jaw.
