Dental Dictionary

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x

A
abrasion:
 loss of tooth structure caused by tooth grinding, an improper bite, a hard toothbrush or poor brushing technique
abscess:
a localized infection of a tooth and/or the gum
abutment:
 tooth or teeth that anchor a fixed or removable bridge
air abrasion:
 removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, also a relatively new technology in dentistry that often avoids the need for anesthetic
allergy:
 an unwanted bodily response to a substance or organism
alveolar bone:
 the bone surrounding the roots of teeth
amalgam:
 the most common material used for fillings, also called silver fillings; a mixture of mercury (app 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc used for fillings
analgesia:
 partial loss of pain sensation
anesthesia:
 absence of pain sensation; numbing a tooth is local anesthesia; with general anesthesia the patient is unconscious
anterior teeth:
 the six upper and six lower front teeth
antibiotic:
 a drug that stops or slows the growth of germs (bacteria)
ANUG:
 an acronym for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, more commonly known as trench mouth or Vincent’s disease, often brought on by stress and/or smoking
apex:
 the tip of the root of a tooth
apicoectomy:
 removal of the root end of a tooth to treat an infection
arch :
 shape assumed collectively by upper and lower teeth
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B
base:
 a cement applied under a filling or crown to decrease sensitivity to heat or cold and protect the filling
biopsy:
 removal of a small piece of tissue to determine if it is diseased
bite:
 how the upper and lower teeth come together; may also be called occlusion
black hairy tongue:
 excessive growth of fungi that normally live in the mouth
block injection:
 anesthetizing a nerve that serves a large area of the jaw, usually the lower jaw; may numb teeth, tongue and half of the jaw in that area
bonding:
 applying a tooth-colored resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth, most often a front tooth
bone loss:
 decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of gum disease
bone resorption:
 the gradual loss of bone Orthodontists use this process to “pull” teeth through bone to new positions.
braces:
 devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth
bridge:
 appliance cemented to teeth adjacent to a space that replaces one or more missing teeth; usually cemented or attached to teeth or implants adjacent to the space
bruxism:
 involuntary, “nervous” grinding of the teeth while the patient is asleep
bruxomania:
 involuntary, “nervous” grinding of the teeth while the patient is awake
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C
calcium:
 chemical element needed for healthy teeth, bones and nerves
calculus:
 hard residue, ranging from yellow to brown, forming on teeth when oral hygiene is incomplete or improper
canker sore:
 whitish, often circular mouth sore lasting ten to fourteen days
cantilever bridge:
 fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth on one end only
cap:
 common term for crown
caries:
 tooth decay or cavities
cavitron:
 dental tool that uses high frequency sound waves to clean teeth
cellulitis:
 uncontrolled infection causing extensive swelling Since this is a dangerous condition, a dentist or physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
cementum:
 hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth
chart:
 to measure the depth of the gum pockets around teeth
clasp:
 device that retains a removable partial denture
cleaning:
 removal of plaque and calculus from teeth, generally above the gumline
composite:
 common bonding mix of plastic and glass/ceramic particles; usually cured with light or chemicals
crown:
 two meanings: (1)the portion of a tooth covered by enamel, and (2)a restoration that covers all or most of the natural tooth above the gumline
curretage:
 removal of dead inner tissue from a gum pocket
cyst:
 a fluid-filled sac
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D
decay:
 destruction of tooth structure caused by acid produced by bacteria
dentin:
 hard, living inner layer of a tooth (the layer immediately under the outer enamel layer)
dental implant:
 a (usually) titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth
dentition:
 your teeth and how they are arranged in your mouth
denture:
 a removable set of artificial teeth
denturism:
 the production and sale of dentures by non-dentists
diastema:
 the space between front teeth
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E
enamel:
 hard tissue covering the crown (portion above the gumline) of a tooth
endodontist:
 a specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp
eruption:
 the process whereby teeth grow through the gums
exodontia:
 See extraction.
explorer:
 a pointed instrument for examining the surfaces of teeth
extraction:
 removal of a tooth/teeth
eyeteeth:
 the four upper and lower canine or eye teeth
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F
facing:
 the visible portion of a crown; may be acrylic, composite or porcelain
filling:
 restoring lost tooth structure with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin
fistula:
 tunnel conducting pus from one infection to the site of another; a mouth fistula is called a gum boil
flap surgery:
 loosening of gums from bone to expose and clean underlying tooth structures
forceps:
 instrument used to remove a tooth
full denture:
 removable denture replacing all teeth in upper or lower arch
frenectomy:
 removal of the frenum, the thin cord of 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
GTR:
 (guided tissue regeneration) a new technique for replacing bone tissue lost between roots of teeth
general anesthesia:
 a controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, and the ability to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command
geographic tongue:
 loss of all usual color and texture of tongue; does not require treatment
gingiva:
 the gums
gingivectomy:
 removal of gum tissue
gingivitis:
 inflammation of gum tissue
gum boil:
 See fistula.
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H
halitosis:
 bad breath
hydrogen peroxide(H202):
 compound used as a dental whitening agent and mouthwash
hyperemia:
 dental sensitivity to temperature and sweets; can precede an abscess
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I
impacted tooth:
 an unexposed or partially exposed tooth that is so wedged against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue that complete exposure of the tooth is unlikely
implant:
 artificial device replacing tooth root; may anchor an artificial tooth, bridge, or denture
incision and drainage:
 making an incision in an abscess to drain infection
incisors:
 four upper and four lower front teeth, (excludes the canine teeth)
infiltration:
 process for numbing the upper teeth (placing anesthetic liquid under the gum tissue and allowing it to migrate into the bone)
inlay:
 a filling made by a dental laboratory that is cemented into place, generally requires two dental appointments
intraoral camera: a tiny TV camera used to view issues of the mouth (owned by approximately 50 percent of U S dentists
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J
jacket:
 crown for a front tooth, usually made of porcelain
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L
laminate:
 thin plastic or porcelain veneer produced in a dental laboratory and then bonded to a tooth to improve its appearance
laughing gas:
 common name for nitrous oxide; used to reduce anxieties and relax patients
local anesthesia:
 elimination of the sensation of pain, in one part of the body by the surface application or regional injection of an anesthetic drug
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M
malocclusion:
 “bad bite” or misalignment between the upper and lower teeth
managed care:
 program whereby patient-dentist assignment and dentist reimbursement are administered by a separate, external organization
mandible:
 the lower jaw
margin:
 point of contact between a restoration and the tooth
Maryland bridge:
 a bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth
maxilla:
 the upper jaw
molars:
 the twelve back teeth in the entire mouth (or the three back teeth in each fourth of the mouth if the wisdom teeth are in)
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N
nerve:
 common term for tooth pulp which is the sensitive innermost portion of a tooth
nightguard:
 plastic device that covers all of the upper or lower teeth; used to prevent wear caused by tooth grinding during sleep
nitrous oxide:
 a gas used to reduce patient anxiety
Novocain:
 older brand name for a local anesthetic
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O
occlusion:
 how the upper and lower teeth come together
onlay:
 laboratory-produced restoration covering the cusps of a tooth
oral and maxillofacial surgeon:
 a specialist who deals with the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures. Generally requires four additional years of training after dental school
oral cavity:
 the mouth
oral hygiene:
 the process of maintaining the cleanliness of the mouth
oral surgery:
 operations on the mouth; for example, extractions, removal of cysts or tumors, and repair of broken jaw bone
orthodontics:
 dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth
overdenture:
 denture that fits over tooth roots or dental implants
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P
palliative treatment:
 treatment that is designed primarily to reduce or eliminate pain
parasthesia:
 loss of sensation in part of the body
partial:
 removable denture replacing some of the teeth
periodontist:
 a specialist who treats the gums and supporting structures of the teeth
permanent teeth:
 the thirty-two adult teeth
pit:
 a small defect in the tooth enamel, usually found on the back teeth
placebo:
 a treatment that works because of the patient’s belief in it, not because of the actual physical change it produces
plaque:
 a soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed largely of bacteria and food substances suspended in saliva
pontic:
 a false tooth mounted on a bridge
porcelain crowns:
 a porcelain cap which covers the crown (that portion above the gumline) of the tooth to repair it or change the shape and/or color
porcelain inlay or onlay:
 a tooth-colored filling, made of porcelain
porcelain veneers:
 a thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front and top of a front tooth to repair or change the color and/or shape
post:
 a thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy; provides retention for a “core” which is a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure
post-core:
 a post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure
post-crown:
 single structure that combines post-core and crown
prognosis:
 the probable outcome of treatment
prophylaxis:
 procedure for preserving the health and preventing infection of teeth
prosthesis:
 an artificial replacement for a body part
prosthodontist:
 a dentist who specializes in restoring teeth, replacing missing teeth with bridges and dentures, and maintaining proper occlusion
pulp:
 the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth
pulp cap:
 a medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp
pulp chamber:
 the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the pulp
pulpitis:
 inflammation of the pulp; a common cause of a toothache
pulpotomy:
 partial removal of the pulp
pyorrhea:
 common term for gum disease
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R
reimplantation:
 return to mouth of tooth/teeth lost through trauma
reline:
 plastic buildup of denture to compensate for bone loss (usually accomplished in conjunction with a dental laboratory)
restoration:
 the replacement part or portion restored on a damaged tooth
retainedroot:
 root remaining in jaw after tooth is extracted or broken off
root:
 tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw
root canal:
 common term for root canal therapy, also the interior space of the tooth root
root canal therapy:
 process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling it with an inert material
root resection:
 removal of root of a tooth while retaining the crown
rubber dam:
 soft latex sheet used to protect one or more teeth from moisture and to keep materials from falling to the back of the throat
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S
saliva:
 clear fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles
saliva ejector:
 suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva
salivary glands:
 located under tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva
scaling:
 meticulous removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces
sealants:
 plastic material bonded in the grooves and pits of back teeth for the prevention of decay
secondary dentin:
 produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation
sleep apnea:
 the periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep
splint:
 to connect two or more teeth so they function as a stronger single structure
supernumerary tooth:
 extra tooth
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T
tartar:
 also called calculus, a hard deposit containing bacteria and minerals that adheres to teeth
tmd:
 temperomandibular disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open/move the jaw
tmj:
 the temporomandibular joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the upper jaw
tmj disorder:
 term given to condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open/move the jaw
third-party provider:
 insurance company, union, government agency that pays all or a part of cost of dental treatment
tooth bud:
 early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth
tooth whitening:
 a process to lighten the color of teeth
torus:
 common bony growth on the palate or lower jaw
transplant:
 placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth
trauma:
 injury caused by a blow, chemicals, temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment
trench mouth:
 gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See ANUG.
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U
unerupted tooth:
 a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the jaw
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V
veneer:
 plastic or porcelain facing bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance. See laminate.
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W
wisdom teeth:
 the third set of molars that usually erupt when a person is 18-25 years of age
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X
xerostomia:
 decrease in production of saliva