Glossary

The world of dental care is filled with terms and words that can be confusing to even the most experienced patient. Here are some dental terms patients should be familiar with to help them enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth:

  • Abscess – Inflammation that is acute or chronic and associated with swelling due to infection and tissue destruction.
  • Abutment – An implant or tooth used to support prosthesis.
  • Adhesion – An aspect of bonding where two surfaces are held together by a physical and/or chemical force. The surfaces can also be held together with or without an adhesive.
  • Anatomical Crown – The part of the tooth that is usually covered by enamel.
  • Apex – The end of the root end of the tooth.
  • Artificial Crown – A restoration that replaces or covers part, or all, of the actual crown of a tooth.
  • Bicuspid – A premolar tooth AKA a tooth that has two cusps.
  • Bleaching – A process where the teeth are lightened.
  • Bonding – The application/bonding of tooth-colored resin material through the use of a curing light and adhesives to improve the appearance of a chipped or discolored tooth.
  • Bruxism – Grinding of the teeth while the patient is asleep.
  • Cantilever Extension – A part of a fixed prosthesis that goes beyond the abutment that is attached without any extra support.
  • Cavity – Tooth structure that is missing.
  • Cement Base – The material used underneath a filling in order to replace any lost tooth structure.
  • Cleft Palate – A deformity that is the result of the soft and/or hard palate not being fused.
  • Composite – A tooth-colored mixture that is used to restore decaying teeth.
  • Cosmetic Dentistry – Dental work performed for the sole purpose of making an improvement in the appearance of a patient’s mouth or teeth.
  • Crown – An artificial replacement placed over a tooth to cover it and improve its strength, as well as its appearance, that is made of ceramic, resin, metals and stainless steel.
  • Crown Lengthening – A procedure to expose more of the tooth by removing supporting bone.
  • Cusp – An elevation on the occlusal surface of the canine and posterior teeth.
  • Decay – The decomposition of the structure of the tooth.
  • Dentin – Hard tissue that forms the majority of the tooth.
  • Denture – A substitute that is placed in the mouth to fill-in for some or all of the natural teeth as well as the surrounding tissue and it can be complete or partial.
  • Direct Restoration – A restoration that is fabricated in the mouth
  • Enamel – The calcified and hard tissue that covers the dentin on the tooth crown.
  • Excision – The removal of the tooth from its socket that is usually the result of trauma.
  • Extraction – The act of removing all or part of a tooth.
  • Gingivitis – The inflammation of the gingival tissue without any connective tissue loss.
  • Impacted Tooth – A partially erupted tooth, or a tooth that is not erupted at all, that is positioned against another tooth, soft tissue or bone.
  • Implant – A small titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone, or on an area with a missing tooth, that acts as a tooth root so a crown can be placed on it.
  • Indirect Pulp Cap – A procedure that covers the exposed pulp with a protective cover in order to protect it from any further damage as well as to help it heal.
  • Indirect Restoration – A restoration that is fabricated outside of the mouth.
  • Inlay – A dental restoration that restores some of the tooth surface and is held in place by cement.
  • Invisible Braces – Custom made retainers made out of clear acrylic or plastic material that fits tightly over the teeth and can be traded out by the patient for new versions of the invisible braces every few weeks.
  • Malocclusion – An improper alignment pertaining to the biting surfaces of the lower and upper teeth.
  • Mandible – The lower jaw.
  • Maxilla – The upper jaw.
  • Microabrasion – The removal, by mechanical means, of a small tooth structure amount to get rid of some discolored enamel.
  • Molar – The teeth that are posterior to the bicuspids on both sides of the jaw.
  • Mouthguard – A device that is worn to help prevent any injuries to the teeth and the tissue surrounding them.
  • Occlusion – The contact between the chewing or biting surfaces of the lower and upper teeth.
  • Onlay – A dental restoration that covers the cusp tips as well as the surrounding occlusal surfaces and is held in place by cement.
  • Palate – The soft and hard tissues that form the roof of the mouth and also separates the nasal and oral cavities.
  • Periapical – The area that surrounds the end of the root of the tooth
  • Periodontal – Dealing with the surrounding teeth tissues as well as the supporting tissues.
  • Periodontitis – The loss of the connective tissue of the surrounding teeth structure along with a loss of attachment.
  • Pin – A metal rod that is small and cemented into the dentin to help keep a restoration in place.
  • Pontic – A term that means an artificial tooth.
  • Post – A component that is like a rod and is inserted into a root canal space to provide structural support.
  • Posterior – A term that refers to teeth near the back of the mouth.
  • Preventive Dentistry – A type of dentistry that is focused on proper function and oral health by working to prevent the development of dental issues.
  • Pulp Cavity – The space in the tooth that contains the pulp which is connective tissue.
  • Retainer – An appliance placed in the mouth that helps stabilize the teeth after treatment.
  • Root Canal – The part of the pulp cavity that is located inside the tooth root.
  • Sealant – A material made of resin that is applied to the surface of the posterior teeth.
  • Space Maintainer – An appliance that holds teeth in place and is usually cemented into position.
  • Tooth Transplantation – The transferring of a tooth from one socket to another socket.
  • Unerupted Teeth – The teeth in the mouth that have not penetrated the oral cavity.
  • Veneer – A thin cover for the surface of the tooth made of tooth colored material and it is used to restore teeth that are damaged or discolored.
  • Whitening – The act of restoring natural teeth color by the removal of surface stains and discoloration.