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Definitions Of Some Common Dental Terms
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Abutment The teeth on either side of a missing tooth.
Amalgam A silver/mercury mixture which is used for
fillings.
Anatomy1)The arangement of the bones in your skeleton
2) The study of the arrangement of the bones in your skeleton.
AntisepticA chemical agent which can be applied to
living tissues to destroy germs.
AnestheticA drug which a doctor or dentist uses to put
you, your mouth, or some other part of your body asleep so you do not
feel any pain during dental or medical procedures.
AnteriorAn adjective used to describe things pertaining
to your your Centrals, laterals and cuspids (your front teeth).
Arch Collectively, either the teeth or the basal bone of
either jaw.
ArticulatorA special holder for models of your teeth.
The articulator holds the models in the same alignment as your jaw so the
orthodontist can look carefully at your bite.
AsepsisThe avoidance of potentially pathogenic
microorganism. In practice,it refers to those techniques which aims to
exclude all microorganisms.
AspiratorA tube like a straw which the dentist puts in
your mouth to suck up all the saliva.
AspirationRemoval of fluids from your mouth with an
aspirator.
BruxismClenching or grinding of your teeth especially
at night.
CalculusA hard deposit that forms when you do not
brush your teeth so the plaque hardens. Calculus is also known as tartar.
CariesAnother name for a cavities (tooth decay)
CavityA small hole in one of your teeth caused by tooth
decay.
Cross contaminationPassing bacteria, viruses or AIDS
indirectly from one patient to another through the use of improper
sterilization procedures, unclean instruments, or "recycling" of orthodontic
products.
Crown1) An artifacial tooth, 2) an artificial replacement
for the covering on a tooth.
CurettageA periodontal procedure where your gums are
scraped to remove bacteria.
DecalcificationThe loss of calcium from your teeth.
This weakens your teeth and makes them more succeptable to decay
Denture A synthetic replacment for all of your teeth in
either your upper or your lower jaw.
Diagnosisthe process of identifying the nature of a
disorder.
Direct contaminationDirect contact with impurities or
germs. (for example by a Patient sneezing on the assistant.)
DisinfectionA cleaning process which destroys of most
microorganism, but not highly resistant forms such as bacterial and
mycotic spores or the AIDS virus.
DisinfectantA chemical agent which is applied onto
inanimate surfaces, for example chairs, to destroy germs.
Disposable materialsmaterials intended for one use and
discarded. (e.g.: Gloves, paper gowns, cotton rolls, sponges, etc.)
DistalBehind towards the back of the mouth. For
example you might say that the first bicuspid is distal to the cuspid.
EdentulousSomeone is said to be edentulous whene all
of their teeth are missing from either their upper or lower jaw.
Endodontist (Endo) A dentist who specializes in root
canals and the treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the root tips or
nerves in your teeth.
Erupt, EruptionWhen a new tooth comes in, the tooth
is said to erupt when the tooth breaks through the surface of your gums,
so you can see the tooth in your mouth.
Exfoliateto fall out. (Your Deciduous teeth exfoliate and
permanent teeth erupt into the space.)
ExtraoralOutside of your mouth. For example, neck
pads are sait to be extra oral products since they go outside of your mouth.
Filtrumthe dimple or indentation under the nose directly
above the upper lip.
FluorideA chemical solution or gel which you put on
your teeth. The flouride hardens your teeth and prevents tooth decay.
Gingival hypertrophyThe abnormal enlargement of the
gingiva surrounding the teeth caused by poor oral hygiene.
GingivitisThe inflammation of your gums caused by
improper brushing. The first sign of periodontal (gum) disease.
Impacted toothAn unerupted tooth that somehow has
gotten stuck and cannot come in.
ImplantA replacement for one of your missing teeth. The
implant is different than a bridge in that the implant is permenantly
attached into your jaw.
IncisalThe biting edge of your centrals and laterals.
Interproximalthe space between adjacent teeth
IntraoralInside your mouth. For example, orthodontic
rubber bands are called intraoral products since the rubber bands are
designed to go in your mouth.
Irrigationthe technique of using a solution to wash out
your mouth and to flush debris.
LabialThe tooth surface next to your lips or things
mounted on the tooth surfaces next to your lips.
LingualThe tooth surface next to your tongue or things
mounted on the tooth surfaces next to your tongue.
MandibleYour lower jaw
MandibularPertaining to your lower jaw
MasticateTo chew your food and mix the food with
saliva
MaxillaYour upper jaw
MaxillaryPertaining to your upper jaw
MesialForward or front. For example your cuspid is
mesial to you bicuspid. The mesial surface of your bicuspid is the part of
the bicuspid closest to your cuspid.
MidlineA plane through the very center of your mouth
perpendicular to your nose.
Mixed dentitionThe situation when both deciduous and
permanent teeth are present.
Occlusalthe chewing or grinding surface of the bicuspid
and molar teeth.
Occlusal planethe imaginary surface on which upper and
lower teeth meet.
Occlusal radiographthe only x-ray that is taken without
a precision(tm) x-ray holder. The x-ray film for this procedure is shaped
like a large oatmeal cookie. You are asked to bite on the x-ray film and
the top of the x-ray machine is positioned over your nose for a maxillary
occlusal x-ray or under your chin for a mandibular occlusal film. The x-
ray shows the whole arch.
Oralpertaining to the mouth.
OsteoblastsCells which aid the growth and development
of teeth and bones.
OsteoclastsCells which help create the sockets in bones.
For example osteoclasps create the openings in your jaw bone to hold your
teeth.
Pathogensdisease producing organisms that can exist in
many different places. (e.g.: Air, dust, counter top surfaces, the body,
etc.)
Pathologythe study of abnormal (diseased) tissue
conditions.
Pedodontist (Pedo)A dentist who specializes in the
treatment of children's teeth.
Periapicalx-ray of individual teeth or groups of teeth.
Periodontist (Perio) A dentist who specializes in the
treatment of diseases of your gums.
Plaqueis a colorless, odorless, sticky substance
containing acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
PeriodontalPertaining to your gums. For example
periodontal desiese is gum disease.
PeriodontistA dentist who specializes in the treatment
of gum disease.
PosteriorAn adjective used to describe things pertaining
to the back of your mouth or your back teeth.
ProphylaxisCleaning your teeth
Prosthodontist A dentist who specializes in the
replacement of missing teeth.
ProximalRefers to the surfaces of teeth that touch the
next tooth; the space between adjacent teeth is the interproximal space.
RadiographAnother name for an x-ray
Root canalA procedure where the nerve of a heavily
decayed tooth is removed from the tooth replaced with a filling material
Sagittal planeThe longitudinal vertical plane that divides
the mouth into two halves (left and right.)
SanitizationA cleaning process which reduces germs to
a "safe" level.
Space maintainerA gadget used to maintain a space in
your mouth. You would use a space maintainer when you lose one of
your baby teeth. The space maintainer will keep a space in your mouth
until a permenant tooth comes in to fill the space.
SterilizationA process where a medical material is
treated to remove all possible germs and other forms of life
Supernumerary teethSome people have extra teeth.
These are called "supernumerary teeth".
TartarAnother name for calculus
TMJAn abreviation for the "temporomandibular joint"
The "temporomandibular joint" is the joint where your lower jaw connects
to your skull.
Treatment carda sheet of paper or special index card
used to record your treatment progress.
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