Dental Dictionary

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Molar

The last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.

Mouthguard

A plastic device that fits onto the teeth. Depending on the design of it, it prevents injury to teeth and/or jaw during teeth grinding or sport events.

Nightguard

A mouthguard which is worn at night time.

Occlusal

The biting surface of the back teeth.

Occlusion

The way how the upper and lower teeth close together.

Open bite

The situation where the upper teeth not able to contact the opposing lower teeth.

Orthodontics

A special field in dentistry which involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tooth misalignments.  “Braces” are often used to “straighten” the teeth.

Over bite

The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together.

Overhang

The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity.

Palate

The roof of the mouth.

Panoramic Radiograph

An x-ray film used to obtain the wide view of upper and lower jaw and their associated structures.

Perforation

An opening on a tooth or other oral structure.

Periapical

The surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth.

Periodontics

A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.

Permanent teeth

Adult’s teeth. The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old.

Polish

A process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy.

Pontic

The false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth.

Post

A metal or carbon pin which is cemented into a treated root canal.  Its function usually is to support a  buildup on a tooth.  A buildup (usually made of plastic) replaces missing tooth structure so that a crown can be put on the tooth.

Pre-authorization

An approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out.

Pre-medication

Medication to be taken before dental treatment.

Premolar (bicuspid)

The two teeth located in front of the molars.

Prescription

A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient. 

Primary teeth

Baby teeth.

Prophylaxis/prophy

The procedure of teeth cleaning. It also means the prevention of diseases.

Prosthesis

An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.

Prosthodontics

A specialty of dentistry involving diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.

Pulp

The innermost part of a tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth.

Pulpectomy

The removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth.

Pulpotomy

The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.

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Radiograph

An x-ray picture.

Recall

The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.

Recementation

The process of “gluing” a prosthesis (like a crown or a bridge) onto a tooth or teeth after it has come off.

Restoration

An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth. It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge, etc.

Retainer

A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment.

Retreatment

The process of repeating a treatment (like a root canal treatment).

Root

The bottom part of tooth. It anchors the tooth to the bone.

Root canal

The canal that runs inside the root of the tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.

Root canal therapy

A treatment for the root canal inside the tooth. The canal is cleaned out and filled with a natural filling material.  The root of the tooth is not removed.

Root planing

The particularly fine cleaning the root area of teeth.  This is done in the dental office.

Rubber dam

A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity.

Scaling

The  cleaning of teeth below the gumline.  This is done in the dental office.

Sealant

A thin layer of plastic-like material covering the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity.

Sedation

The use of medication to calm a patient.

Space Maintainer

An appliance to maintain the space between teeth.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The joint that links the lower jaw to the skull near the ear.

Torus

A benign outgrowth of bone in the jaws.

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Veneer

A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) that attaches to the front of the tooth. It is usually used to improve the appearance of the tooth.

Wisdom tooth

The molar farthest back in the mouth.

Xerostomia

Dry mouth

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Abscess

A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection.

Abutment

A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture.

Amalgam

A metal filling material containing mercury.  Silver in color.

Anesthetic

An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling.

Anterior

The front position.

Apex

The end of the root.

Asepsis

No micro-organism.

Attrition

Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.

Avulsed

An injury that causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of the mouth.

Bitewing

A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth biting together. The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavities in between teeth and height of bone support.

Bleaching

Whitening of teeth.

Bridge

A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding.

Canine

The third tooth from the middle of the jaw. There are four of them. They are the longest teeth in humans.

Canker sore

An ulceration with a gray or yellow center and red border in mouth. The cause is often unknown.

Caries

Tooth decay.

Cavity

A hole on the tooth.

Cast

A model of teeth.

Cementation

The process of “gluing” a dental restoration (like a crown) to a prepared tooth.

Chlorhexidine

An anti-microbial agent. It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses. It is an effective agent in controlling gingivitis but not more advanced gum disease.

Clasp

A metal arm extended from a removable partial denture. It holds onto a natural tooth and thus provides anchorage for the denture.

Cold sore

An ulcer or blister on lip. A form of herpes simplex.

Composite

White filling.

Cross-bite

An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. 

Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal)

A crown is almost like a “cap” on a tooth. It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and appearance.

Decay

Soft, infected tooth structure caused by plaque bacteria. . Must be treated.

Dentistry

A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and other oral structures.

Dentition

The position, type, and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw.

Denture

An artificial appliance to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures. There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences.

Desensitization

A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth.

Diagnosis

The process of identifying dental disease.

Diastema

The space between two adjacent teeth which do not touch each other.

Edentulous

No teeth.

Endodontics

A dental specialty involving root canal therapy. This procedure eliminates pain and infection from symptomatic teeth.

Eruption

The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth.

Excision

The action of cutting something off.

Extruded

When a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket.

Filling

A restoration placed on a tooth to restore its function and appearance.

Flipper

A temporary denture (stayplate) to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment.

Floss

A thread/tape that goes in between teeth for cleaning.

Fluoride

A compound of fluorine (an element) which may be put into such things as drinking water, tooth pastes, and rinses to strengthen teeth against decay.

Fluoride Treatment

Teeth treatment with fluoride agents like gel or rinse. It helps to prevent tooth decay.

Fracture

When a cusp of a tooth becomes weakened, a fracture may result. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Sensitivity and damage to the pulp are common.

Framework

The metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic “gums.”

Gingivitis

The mildest form of gum disease: inflammation of gum. The earliest signs are redness and bleeding. 

Hemorrhage

Bleeding

Hemostasis

Stop bleeding.

Impaction

A condition where a tooth is not able to come in normally or is stuck underneath another tooth or bone.

Implant

A device (usually “screw-like”) put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge.

Impression

A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray.

Incisal

The cutting edge of front teeth.

Incisor

The four upper and lower front teeth.

Inlay

A restoration (usually gold, composite or ceramics) fabricated in the lab that cements on a tooth like a missing puzzle piece. It helps to restore the normal function of the tooth.

Interproximal

The space between two adjacent teeth.

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