Dental Terminology
Learn the Dentist Language - frequently used dental terms
with their common names and the definitions of them
Abscess
Abscess is a severe, enclosed infection. When a bacteria cause deep decay in a tooth, it can go through the pulp to the center of the tooth and into the supporting bone of it and causing a infection. As the pressure from the accumulating pus puts pressure on the surrounding bone of the tooth, it becomes painful and this pus-filled swelling is known as an Abscess.
Alveolar Osteitis
Alveolar Osteitis is the correct clinical medical term for a dry socket. A dry socket occurs when a blood clot forms in this socket and dislodged or breaks down prematurely. A Alveolar Osteitis happens mostly if the Patient is smoking after an extraction.
Amalgam
Dental Amalgam is a mix of silver, mercury, copper and tin used in a restoration or filling of a tooth. Mercury makes up approximately 50 percent of the compound and help binding the different metals together. We do not use Amalgam fillings. We use a non-metallic composite filling that is tooth colored.
Anterior
Anterior is the name of the teeth and tissues located towards the front of the mouth.
Apex
Apex is the naming of the tip or end of the root end of the tooth.
Avulsion
An Avulsion is the Separation of tooth from its socket due for example from a trauma; scientific term as for “having a tooth knocked out.”
Bicuspids
Bicuspids also called "Premolars", are transitional teeth between the canines and the molars. Mostly adults have eight bicuspids, while Children don’t have Bicuspids. Instead of that, four Bicuspids replace four primary molars, and four Bicuspids are new permanent teeth.
Bilateral
Bilateral stands for Both sides.
Bleaching
Bleaching is also known as teeth whitening. There are different teeth whitening options to help eliminate external stains from tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco and other different foods and drinks. Some teeth bleaching or whitening procedures include the use of whitening toothpaste.
Bonding
Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration such as for example veneers. When teeth are chipped, slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of your choice. The Bonding procedure is also used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities, broken or chipped surfaces.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the dental term for teeth grinding. Grinding usually occurs while the sleeping phase and will be often not noticed. But, a sore jaw or constant, headache upon awaking are signs of Bruxism.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
The Burning mouth syndrome is a painful oral condition that affects the gums, tongue, inside of the cheeks, lips and the roof of the mouth. It can be related to sensory and taste nerve problematic. The causes could be a dry mouth, food allergies or certain medications and nutritional deficiencies.
Caries
Caries is the dental term for tooth decay or for cavities. Those are permanently damaged areas in your teeths hard surface that develop later on into tiny holes or openings. Tooth decay is one of the most spreaded and persistent preventable diseases today. Different factors can cause Caries, for example frequent snacking, less cleaning of the teeths and drinking sugary drinks.
Canal
The space inside the root portion of a tooth containing pulp tissue is called a Canal; the passage which transmits vessels and nerves through the jaw.
Cement Base
Cement Base is a material that is used under a filling to replace the lost tooth structure.
Clenching
Clenching is the clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together, frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.
Closed Reduction
The rearrangement of a fractured bone without surgery is called Closed Reduction-
Deciduous Teeth
Deciduous teeth have different common names as temporary teeth, primary teeth, milk teeth or baby teeth. Those are the first 20 teeth in a child’s growing phase. Milk teeth arise within the embryonic development stage and start growing in between the age of 6 and 12 months.
Dental Appliance
The Term 'a dental or oral appliance' is usually referring to a removable mouth guard, night guard or device. Those can be protective for teeth and serve for concussion prevention as soft sports guard, or open a narrow airway, used to manage obstructive sleep apnea or snoring. Other appliances can be used to prevent Bruxism or Grinding.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are also called artificial tooth roots. Those are surgical components that interface with the jaw, the bone or the skull to provide support for replaced teeth such as a dental bridge or a dental crown. They may also act as an anchor for orthodontics or prostheses.
Dentifrice
Dentifrice is a classic term for a toothpaste. Toothpaste with fluoride help to prevent cavities by eliminating plaque and strengthening teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are a set of artificial teeth. Complete or also called Full Mouth Dentures replace all off the teeth, while partial Dentures replace just a selected area of teeth in your Mouth. You are able to take Dentures out of your Mouth and put them back in again.
Early Childhood Caries
Early Childhood Caries is also called bottle rot. Tooth decay at newborns and younger children often appear at the upper front teeth. This decay is usually caused by factors like sugary liquids (including milk or formula).
Endodontic Procedure
An endodontic procedure also called a root canal, treats the inside of your tooth. This treatment is necessary when the soft tissue inside the root canal "the pulp" becomes infected or inflamed. A infection or inflammation can have numerous causes, such as deep decay, chipped and cracked teeth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. If if left untreated, the pulp infection or inflammation can be very painful and can cause an Abscess.
Eruption
When a new tooth joins, dentists say its "erupting". In most cases, all the permanent teeth have erupted by the age of 21.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis are brown or white spots on the enamel of permanent teeth due to consuming too much fluoride as a child. It doesn’t develop after all the teeth have erupted.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is called a inflamed gum tissue. Dental plaque is mostly the cause of gum inflammation. Mild Gingivitis is not causing a lot of pain - or none at all. You may not even notice you have Gingivitis, though if you have bleeding gum when you brush your teeth or floss, it may indicate that you have Gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible but if it's left untreated, Gingivitis can become severe and change into Periodontitis and this leads to tooth loss.
Gum Recession
Gum Recession is when your gum tissue pulling away from your teeth and exposing the roots underneath of it. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including too aggressive brushing or smoking and even through genetics. Gum Recession Treatments include antibiotics, antimicrobial mouth rinses and a surgery. A Gum Recession can’t be reversed, but a treatment can prevent that it getting worse.
Halitosis
Halitosis is the clinical term for a bad breath. Food breakdown typically causes a foul-smelling breath, though other culprits those include dry mouth, poor dental hygiene and a infection. Using tobacco products or dieting can also cause bad breath. Persistent bad taste in the mouth or bad breath might be an indication of periodontal disease at all.
Impression
A Impression is a form of the teeth that is usually used for the creation of a stone model of teeth.
Incisors
Incisors are the front teeth called. Most of the people have eight Incisor teeth — four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. Those look like small chisels with sharp edges, and they assist you biting your food.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to teeth those are not properly aligned, it is also called as a misaligned bite. Occlusion is the alignment of your teeth and how your lower and upper teeth fit together when you close the upper and lower jaw. Your upper jaw teeth should fit over your lower jaw teeth slightly. The points of your molars should fit the opposite molar’s grooves.
Mandible
The Mandible is the name of the bone forming of the lower jaw. The lower jaw is the strongest, largest and lowest bone in your face.
Maxilla
The Maxilla is the name of the bottom part of your skull that forms the upper jaw.
Molars
The Molars are the flat and large teeth located in the back of your mouth. They’re mainly used for grinding food while you are chewing.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide is known as laughing gas. This is a effective and safe sedative that’s combined with oxygen. The inhalation will be done through a small mask that covers the nose. It helps to feel more relaxed at a treatment. The effects of Nitrous Oxide will disappear shortly after the mask has been taken off.
Occlusal Disease
Occlusal Disease refers to bite problems. The teeth can get damaged if they aren’t aligned properly. Every time they meet, there are softer or stronger forces applied to the teeth. But, when there are discrepancies at the bite, this imbalance can lead to issues with your jaw, muscles, teeth or a combination of all of them.
Occlusal Surface
The occlusal surface is the tooth surface that's used to chew or grind.
Oral Bacteria
The human mouth contains several types of Oral Bacteria, those are bad and good organisms. Some Oral mouth Bacteria perform essential functions to keep your mouth healthy. Other Oral
Bacteria, unfortunately, can damage your teeth.
Oral Rinse
An Oral Rinse or also called mouthwash often refresh the breath, but some Oral mouth Rinses can reduce plaque, control and prevent tooth decay, reduce or prevent Gingivitis.
Overbite
An Overbite is if the top front teeth that protrude beyond the bottom front teeth. In some cases, an Overbite can lead to health problems like jaw pain, gum disease also tooth decay.
Periodontal Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a infection of the bone that is supporting your teeth. It usually appear due to poor brushing and flossing habits. Periodontal Disease is manageable but not curable. In advanced stage, it can lead to bleeding gums and sore gums, tooth loss and also painful chewing problems.
Plaque
Plaque is a sticky, soft film that contains millions of bacteria those build up on your teeth. Plaque can cause gum disease and also tooth decay if it doesn't get removed regularly by brushing and flossing the teeth.
Radiography
Radiography is another term for a x-ray procedure. Dental x-rays are also essential in dental care. It gives an precise inside view of the teeth and bones and jaw.
Restoration
Restoration is the official dental term for fillings of teeths. Fillings restore a tooth damaged by a decay for example back to its regular shape and functionality. When a restoration will be performed, the dentist removes the decayed tooth matter and cleans the affected area. Afterwards the dentist fills the cavity area with a dental filling material.
Saliva
Saliva, is commonly called spit. Spit is a clear liquid that is produced in the mouth permanently. Spit takes over a substantial role in maintaining the oral health.
Sealant
A Sealant is a thin plastic coating that will be painted on your teeth’s chewing surfaces, basically on your molars and premolars in the back of your jaw to prevent tooth decay.
Tartar
When plaque stays on the teeth, it can get in hard conditions and turn into Tartar along your gum line. Once it turns into Tartar, it is not possible to remove it by brushing. Only a dentist is able to remove it from your gum line. Tartar can promote Gingivitis.
Third Molars
Third Molars are also called as wisdom teeth. Many persons will develop a Third Molar tooth in all four quadrants of their mouth at upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. In most of the cases they erupt after the 17th Life-year.
Tooth Extraction
The removal of a decayed or broken tooth from the bone’s socket is named Tooth Extraction. If there is too much damage at a tooth, so that a repair isn’t possible, dentists have to extract the tooth. A Tooth Extraction is a quick procedure using general, local or intravenous anesthesia.
Underbite
A Underbite, is also called prognathism. A Class III malocclusion or also called bulldog teeth, is a condition where the lower jaw and teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth — this is giving a “bulldog” appearance.
Xerostomia
Xerostomia is the clinical term for dry mouth. In this condition there is not enough Saliva to maintain moisture in the mouth. Infections and tooth decay can happen in your mouth as a result of it.

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