A
Abscess - Local infection characterized by swelling and pain
Abutment – Refers to the teeth on either side of a missing tooth
Acrylic resin - Plastic used for dentures
Active eruption – When a tooth emerges from its position in the jaw
Adjustment - Modification made to a dental prosthesis after it has put in the mouth
Aerobic bacteria - In the oral cavity, bacteria found outside the sulcus
Agar - Gelatin like substance from seaweed used in impression materials
Alginate - Material for making stone models
Alveolectomy - Operation removing portions of the alveolar bone
Alveolar bone - Bone surrounding the root of the tooth
Alveolar crest - Highest part of the alveolar bone
Alveolar eminence - Root outline of the facet portion of the bone
Alveolar process - Part of the mandible or maxilla surrounding a tooth root
Alveolus - Bony socket where a tooth root sits
Amalgam - Silver filling; Alloy using mercury
Anaerobic bacteria - Bacteria not needing oxygen to grow and generally associated
with periodontal disease
Anodontia – Gradual absence of teeth
Antibiotic - Substance produced by or derived from bacteria that inhibits or kills other bacteria
Anatomical crown - Part of the tooth covered with enamel
Antiseptic - Chemical that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs
Anesthesia - Medication relieving pain
Anomaly - Deviation from the norm
Anterior - Situated in front of
Anterior teeth - Front teeth (incisors and cupids)
Anug – Type of gingivitis characterized by pain, severe redness, spontaneous bleeding, foul breath and pain
Apical foramen - Opening at the end of the tooth root where the tooth receives
nerve and blood
Arch - The maxillary and mandibular ridge that form a horseshoe shaped arch
Articulating paper - Carbon paper placed between the upper and lower teeth to mark contact
Articulator - Device used to replicate functional movements of the jaw
Aspirator - Tube-like straw placed in mouth for suction
Asymmetry/ symmetry – Describes how the top teeth and gums should be to the bottom teeth and bums.
Attachment level - Numerical measure of the amount of attachment of the periodontal ligament to a tooth; Considered one of the most important measures of periodontal disease progress or treatment success
Attrition -Wearing down of a tooth structure through normal use (ie. chewing, biting, etc.)
B
Back teeth - Posterior teeth
Bicuspids - The fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth, which are the back teeth used for chewing
Bifurcation - Dividing into two parts
Bilateral - Both sides
Bitewing - X-ray showing the upper and lower teeth's biting surfaces on the same film
Bleaching - Teeth whitening using peroxide
Bolus - Chewed food mixed with and saliva
Bonding - Covering a tooth surface to correct stained or damaged teeth
Bridge - A fixed appliance that replaces missing teeth, like a series of attached crowns
Bruxism – Teeth grinding that usually occurs during sleep
Buccal - Pertains to the cheek
Buccinator muscle - Cheek muscle
C
Calcification - Process of hardening from lime salts deposits
Calculus - Hard calcium that form on teeth and dentures
Canal - Narrow chamber inside the tooth root hat contains nerve tissue and blood vessels
Canines - Cuspids; The teeth named because they look long dog teeth
Cariogenic – Causing cancer
Caries - medical term for decay usually acid producing bacteria; Also known as Cavity
Cariogenic – Causing decay
Cast - Reproduction of the mouth in stone or plaster
Cavity - decay usually acid producing bacteria; Also known as Caries
Cement - M material used to seal inlays, onlays, and crowns
Cementum – The dull yellow outer surface of the roots
Centric occlusion - Relationship between the occlusal surfaces of one arch to those in the opposing arch at physical rest position
Centric relation - Relationship between maxillary arch to the mandibular arch when the condyle is in its most retracted position
Cervical – Refers to the neck of a tooth
Cervix - Neck of the tooth where the crown joins the root or the enamel joins the cementum
Cheek pouch - Area of the mouth inside the cheek
Chemotherapeutic - Chemical agent which produces an anti-microbial effect
Cingulum - Raised area on the lingual surface of anterior teeth
Clasp - Metal piece that retains, supports and stabilizes a partial denture
Cleaning – Also known as prophylaxis
Cleft palate - Opening in the palate
Clinical crown – Visibly portion of the tooth
Col - V-shaped depression in the facial-lingual interdental papilla
Communition - crushing or grinding to a powder
Complete series - Full-mouth x-rays
Composite filling - tooth-colored mixture of resin and other particles like zinc, aluminum, tin and copper to used to restore teeth
Concave – To curve inward where the bottom of the curve is closest to the viewer
Contact area – Tooth surface that touches the adjacent tooth
Convex - Curving outward, so the bottom of the curve is farthest from the viewer
Cosmetic dentistry - Aesthetic improvements that include color and shape of teeth
Cross contamination - Passing disease indirectly from one patient to another through improper sterilization procedures
Crown – Fully covering a tooth when it cannot be restored by a filling
Curettage - Periodontal procedure when bacteria is scraped from soft tissue
Cuspid - Third tooth from the center of the mouth towards the back; Also known as canines
Cusps - Elevated points on the chewing surfaces of back teeth
Custom tray – Custom-made tray to fit a patient's mouth
D
Debridement - Treating a bacterial infection by removing irritants from the periodontal pocket
Decalcification - Loss of calcium from teeth
Deciduous teeth - Baby teeth
Deglutition - Swallowing
Demineralization - Loss of mineral from tooth enamel
Dendrite - Impulses to the cell body of a nerve
Dental resin - Material applied to teeth for severe dentinal hypersensitivity
Dental varnish - Hypersensitivity treatment that covers the outer surface of dentin blocking transmission of stimuli to the pulp
Dentin - Hard, yellowish tissue underneath tooth enamel and cementum; the major part of a tooth
Dentinal tubules - Microscopic canals running from outside the dentin to the nerve inside a tooth
Dentition - Natural teeth as a unit
Denture - Removable appliance that replaces missing teeth
Desensitization - Blocking painful stimuli that cause dentinal hypersensitivity
Desiccate - Remove all moisture
Desquamation - Peeling of gingival tissue characterized by patches of bright red and gray, causing a raw, bleeding, painful surface
Developmental depression - Concavity in a tooth that forms when a tooth develops
Diagnosis - Identifying the nature of a disorder
Diagnostic - Procedures performed to identify issues in the mouth
Diastema - Space between teeth
Dilaceration - Abnormal tooth that has a twisted crown and root
Diphyodont - Two successive sets of teeth
Disinfection - Cleaning process that destroys the majority of microorganism
Disinfectant - Chemical agent used to destroy germs
Disposable materials – Intended to be used once, then discarded like gloves, paper gowns and cotton rolls
Distal - Tooth surface farthest from the midline of the dental arch
Divergent - Spread
E
Edema -Swelling from fluid accumulating in gingival tissues
Edentulous - Having no teeth
Embrasure - Space between two teeth caused by the mesial and distal surfaces sloping away
Empress - Type of porcelain crown and porcelain veneer/laminate
Enamel - Hard, white shiny surface of the crown
Endodontics (endo) - Treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the root tip or tooth nerve
Erosion - Dissolution of tooth structure caused by gastric juices or citrus
Eruption - Moving of the tooth
Exfoliate – To shed
Explorer - Probe that detects cavity growth
Extraction - Removing teeth
Extraoral - Outside the mouth
F
Facial - Outer tooth surface that rests against the cheeks or lips
Filtrum - Dimple or indentation under the nose directly above the upper lip
Fissure - Cleft-like grooves in the chewing surface of the back teeth
Fistula - Abnormal passage in the gum tissue through which an abscessed tooth drains
Fluoride - Topical application of a gel or liquid that prevents decay
Fluorosis - Discoloration of the enamel caused by excessive fluoride absorption
Foramen - Opening in bone
Fossa - Shallow depression on the tongue surfaces of some front teeth
Free gingiva - Part of the gums that forms a collar around the tooth
Frenum - Fold of mucous membrane connecting two parts
Front teeth - Anterior teeth
Full mouth x-rays - x-rays showing all the teeth
Furcation - Area where the root divides
Furrow - Groove
G
General anesthesia - Relieves sensation of pain
General dentist – Cares for patients in all age groups
Geriatric dentist – Cares for patients who are primarily senior citizens
Gingiva – Gums; Soft tissue surrounding teeth
Gingival crest - Edge of the occlusal or incisal gingiva
Gingival hypertrophy - Abnormal enlargement of the gingiva caused by poor oral hygiene or use of certain medications
Gingivectomy – Removing soft tissue surrounding the tooth to treat periodontal disease
Gingivitis - Inflamed and swollen gum tissue most commonly caused by plaque
Goldon proportion - Guidelines used by dentists to determine the most esthetic appearance of a particular tooth
Gutta percha - Used to fill root canals
H
Handpiece - Used to hold and revolve burs in dental operations
Heterodont - Different types of teeth within the same dentition like incisors, canines, molars
Histo-differentiation – Developing into a specialized tissue
Histology - Study of tissue
Homodont - Presence of only one type of tooth in the dentition
Hypersensitivity – Sharp or sudden painful reaction in teeth when exposed to hot, cold, chemical, mechanical or sweet or salty stimuli
I
Ideal occlusion - A harmonious relationship of the teeth and masticatory system
Immediate denture - Denture made before the natural teeth are extracted
Impaction – Partially erupted tooth that cannot fully erupt because of an obstruction
Implant - A post put in the jawbone which is then covered by a crown, bridge or denture
Impression tray – A tray that is formed in the shape of the mouth and used for taking impressions
Incisors - First and second teeth from the midline of the mouth
Inlay - Gold, porcelain or composite filling cemented into the tooth
Incisal edge - Cutting edge, ridge or surface of anterior teeth
Intercuspation - Cusp-to-fossa relationship of the maxillary to mandibular teeth
Intraoral - Inside the mouth
Invisalign - Series of clear plastic trays for minor tooth movements that are made by a computer
Iontophor – Treatment for dentin hypersensitivity where an electrical current is used to introduce a drug through the dental enamel
Irrigation - Using a solution to wash out the mouth
J
Jaw – Lower portion of the mouth; Common name for the maxilla or mandible
K - No terms available
L
Labial - Relates to the lip
Laminate veneer - Porcelain or composite cover that is bonded to restore discolored or damaged teeth
Latera - To the side
Lesion - Wound or local degeneration
Lingual - Surface of a tooth closest to the tongue
Lobe - Center of tooth formation
Local anesthesia - Relieves pain in a specific area
M
Malocclusion - Deviation from the ideal positioning of the teeth or jaws
Mamelon - Small elevations of enamel present on the incisors as they erupt
Mandible - Lower jaw
Maryland bridge - Type of bonded bridge where only the lingual surfaces
of the abutments are reduced
Mastication - Chewing
Masticatory system - Teeth and surrounding structures including the jaws, temporomandibular joint, muscles, lips and tongue
Maxillae - Upper jaw
Medial – Refers to the middle plane
Mental – Refers to the chin
Mercury – Metal component of amalgam fillings
Mesial - Surface of the tooth nearest the midline of the dental arch
Micro abrasion - Drill-free technique using an instrument resembling a tiny sand blaster that delivers tiny aluminum oxide particles to the surface of teeth
Mixed dentition- The developmental stage when both deciduous and permanent
teeth exist
Molar - The sixth, seventh and eighth teeth from the center of the mouth
Mouthguard - Soft-fitted device that protects teeth against injury
Mucosa - Thin, outer pink or red membrane lining the inside of the oral cavity
N
Nasal - Relates to the nose
Neuron - Nerve cell
Neoplasm - Refers to cancer; Proliferation of cells that interferes with
surrounding tissues
Nightguard - Removable acrylic appliance to minimize the problems of grinding
and TMJ
O
Occlude - Bring together
Occlusal - Relates to the biting surface of teeth
Occlusal equilibration - Refining and perfecting the occlusion
Occlusal guard – Also known as a nightguard
Occlusal plane - Imaginary surface where upper and lower teeth meet
Occlusal trauma – When excessive force, like grinding and teeth clenching,
is on a normal dentition
Occlusion - Relationship of teeth in a closed position in both the maxillary and mandibular arch
Onlay – Laboratory-processed restoration made of metal, porcelain or acrylic that replaces one or more of cusps of a tooth.
Opaquing - Covering the metal work of a prosthesis to prevent it from showing through
Open bite - Space between the front upper and lower teeth when the back teeth touch
Oral cavity - Mouth
Oral surgery (o.s.) - Surgery of the mouth
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon – Dental professional who treats diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth and jaws
Oral pathologist – Dental professional who examines oral tissues for abnormalities
Origin - Fixed end of a muscle
Orthodontics - Focuses on irregularities and correction of teeth
Orthodontist – Dental professional who designs and applies corrective
and supportive appliances, like braces, to realign crooked teeth
Osteoblasts - Cells that help grow and develop teeth and bones
Osteoclasts - Cells that help remodel bone
P
Palate - Roof of the mouth
Palatal surface - Surface of the maxillary teeth nearest the palate
Palmer’s notation- Identification system for teeth used to designate
individual teeth by orthodontists
Panorex - Single, large x-ray taken outside the mouth showing all the teeth
on one film
Partial Denture - Removable appliance replacing teeth in the upper or lower jaw
Passive eruption – When teeth continue to erupt into the mouth as
tooth structure is lost to attrition and wear.
Pedodontics (pedo) - Treatment of children's teeth
Pellicle - First step in plaque formation
Periapical – X-ray showing the whole tooth; Also known as single film or p.a.
Periapical abscess - Infection of tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the tooth base
Pericoronitis - Infection of the tissue of a partially erupted tooth
Periodontal charting - Measures the pocket depth from attachment loss between
the gums and teeth
Periodontal ligament - Fibers that suspend the tooth in the bony socket
Periodontal maintenance - Teeth cleaning following periodontal treatment
Periodontal pocket – Gap that forms when the gums detach from the teeth
Periodontal probe - Instrument used to measure pocket depth
Periodontal prophy – Refers to periodontal maintenance and periodontal recall
Periodontics (perio) - Treatment of gum diseases
Periodontist – Dental professional who diagnoses and treats diseases of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth
Periodontitis - Disease affecting adults that results in destruction of alveolar bone
Periodontium - Structure that surrounds and supports the teeth
Permanent dentition – Also known as permanent teeth
Permanent teeth – Those that replace the deciduous or primary teeth
Pit - Pinpoint depression in a tooth’s occlusal surface
Plaque - Sticky film that accumulates on teeth
Plaster of paris - Gypsum used to make models of teeth
Polishing - Dental procedure that removes stain, plaque and acquired pellicle by using an abrasive polishing paste in a rubber cup attached to a slow-speed handpiece
Polyphyodont - Possessing several sets of teeth during a lifespan
Pontic – Part of a bridge that replaces missing teeth
Porcelain - Tooth-colored sand like material
Porcelain veneer - Ultra-thin shells of ceramic material bonded to the front of teeth
Posterior teeth - Back teeth, bicuspids and molars
Postpalatal seal - Elevation of material on the back (tissue side) of a denture in order to seal the denture
Premolars - Two-cusped teeth immediately in front of molars
Preventive - Procedure performed to aid in preventing decay and/ or gum disease
Primary teeth – Also known as the baby teeth and primary dentition
Primate spacing - Normal spacing between primary anterior teeth
Procera - Type of porcelain crow and the strongest all-porcelain crowns
Prophy – Short for see prophylaxis
Prophylaxis – General term for cleaning the teeth; Also known as a prophy
Prosthetics - Appliances used to replace missing teeth like bridges, partials, and dentures
Prosthodontist – A dental professional who makes artificial appliances that replace missing teeth
Proximal - Mesial or distal surface of the tooth
Proximal surface - Tooth surface adjacent to the next tooth
Public health dentist – Dental professional concerned with dental health needs of entire communities, and can design and administer large-scale prevention and dental care programs by compiling and analyzing statistics
Pulp canal - Portion of pulp in the root
Pulp chamber – Part of the pulp in the tooth crown
Pulp horn – Part of the pulp chamber that extends towards the cusp
Pulp tissue - Soft tissue in the pulp chamber composed of blood vessels and nerves
Q
Quadrant – One of four equal sections in the mouth; upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left
R
Radiographic - referring to x-rays.
Radiosurgery – Surgery that uses radio waves to produce a non-pressure, bloodless incision
Raphe - Union of soft tissue
RCT - Root canal therapy
Rebase - Process the replaces tissue surface of a denture with new material
Resin filling - Composite filling
Resorb - Dissolve into the tissue
Restorations - Replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth
Restorative dentistry - Restoring missing, damaged or diseased teeth to normal form and function
Retainer - Removable appliance usually worn at night to keep teeth in a specific position
Ridge - Linear elevation
Root canal therapy (RCT) - Procedure where the pulp chamber is cleaned out, disinfected and filled with a permanent filling in an effort to save an abscessed tooth.
Root planing - Removing hard deposits from the root surface below the gum line
Root trunk – Part of the root that is not bifurcated or trifurcated
Rugae - Elevated folds or wrinkles of soft tissue in the front part of the palate
RVS – Short for relative value schedule
S
Sagittal plane - an imaginary, longitudinal vertical plane dividing the mouth into left and right halves
Scaling - Scraping the tooth above the gums
Sealants – A clear resin applied over biting surfaces of teeth to prevent decay
Single film – Also known as periapical
Sloughing – When the gingival tissue deadens and peels away from the living tissue
Socket - A cavity in the bone; Also known as Alveolus
Soft palate - The back third of the roof of the mouth composed of soft tissue
Somatic - Nerves supplying muscles
Sonicare - Electric toothbrush that vibrates at more than 31,000 brush strokes per minute.
Space maintainer - Dental appliance used to maintain space in the mouth
Stain, extrinsic - Stain located on the outside of the tooth surface originating from substances like s tobacco, coffee, tea or food and can be usually removed by polishing with an abrasive prophylaxis paste
Stain, intrinsic – Permanent stains caused by ingesting certain materials or chemical substances during tooth development
Submucosa - Layer of tissue under the mucous membrane
Succedaneous - Tooth that replaces or succeeds another
Sulcus - Broad depression on the chewing surfaces on the back of teeth
Supergingival - Area above the gingival margin
Supernumerary teeth - Teeth in addition to the development of the normal 32
Surgical template - Clear tray used in immediate denture fabrication
Suture - Joining two bones; Also known as stitches
T
Tartar - Hard calcium formed on teeth and dentures; Also known as calculus
Teething – When baby teeth push through gums
Temporomandibular joint – Connecting hinge between the lower jaw and base of the skull; Also known as TMJ.
Temporomandibular joint disorder - Acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint which results in significant pain and impairment
Terminal mesial step - Position of a vertical plane along the distal surfaces where the deciduous second molars are in class I position.
Terminal plane - Distal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular deciduous second molars that are on the same line or plane
Third molar - Wisdom tooth
Topical – Solution applied directly to an infected area for treatment
Transverse Ridge - Linear elevation usually crossing the occlusal surface
Triangular Ridge - Linear elevation forming a triangle
Trifurcation - Divided into three parts
Tubercle - Small, rounded projection
Tuberosity - Large, rounded projection
U
Universal Precautions - Universal safety measures take to prevent infectious diseases when caring for a patient including; use of protective wear, such as gloves, masks and eyewear; discarding of gloves and hands washed after a patient leaves, using new gloves donned for the next patient.
Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) – Refers to the doctor's fee if it is: Usual - the doctor's usual fee is charged; Customary - if the doctor's fee falls in the same range as other dentists in the area; Reasonable - the doctor's modified fee is justified because of special circumstances.
V
Ventral – Underside part of the tongue that is used when speaking
Virgin Teeth - Teeth free from decay or restorations
W
Waiver of Deductible - Certain procedures that are excluded from the deductible under some health plans
Wisdom Tooth - Third molar; the eighth tooth from the center of mouth
X
Xerostomia - Dryness of the mouth
Y & Z - No terms available