Dental Lexicon
Comprehensive reference for dental terms, empowering oral health understanding.
Dental Dictionary
Abscess
A collection of pus usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Abutment
A tooth or tooth structure that supports a bridge or denture.
Amalgam
A silver filling material used for dental restorations.
Anesthetic
A substance that causes temporary loss of sensation or feeling.
Anterior
Referring to the front position or teeth at the front of the mouth.
Apex
The tip or end of the root of a tooth.
Asepsis
The absence of microorganisms, ensuring a sterile environment.
Attrition
The wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.
Avulsed
Completely knocked out of the mouth, referring to a tooth.
Bitewing
A dental x-ray used to detect cavities in between teeth and assess bone support.
Bleaching
The process of whitening teeth.
Bridge
A fixed dental prosthesis used to replace missing teeth, supported by adjacent teeth.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding or clenching, often during sleep.
Canine
The third tooth from the middle of the jaw, known as the “eye tooth” or cuspid.
Canker sore
An ulceration with a yellow base and red border in the mouth.
Caries
Tooth decay, also known as cavities.
Cavity
A hole or opening in a tooth caused by dental decay.
Cast
A model of teeth used for planning dental treatment.
Cementation
The process of bonding or “gluing” a dental restoration onto a tooth.
Chlorhexidine
An antimicrobial agent used to control gum diseases.
Clasp
A metal arm on a removable partial denture that helps anchor it to natural teeth.
Composite
Tooth-colored filling material made of resin used for dental restorations.
Cross-bite
An abnormal bite relationship where the lower teeth align towards the cheek or lip side more than the upper teeth.
Crown
A dental restoration that covers or “caps” a tooth to restore its function and appearance.
Decay
The demineralization of enamel and dentin caused by bacterial activity, leading to tooth infection.
Dentistry
The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental conditions.
Dentition
The arrangement, type, and number of teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
Denture
A removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
Denturist
A professional specializing in fabricating dentures.
Desensitization
A procedure to reduce tooth sensitivity.
Diagnosis
The process of identifying and determining a dental condition or disease.
Diastema
A space or gap between two adjacent teeth.
Distal
A direction indicating away from the middle of the jaw or towards the back of the mouth.
Edentulous
Lacking natural teeth, without teeth.
Endodontics
The branch of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp and root canal-related
Eruption
The process of teeth emerging and appearing in the mouth.
Excision
The surgical removal or cutting off of a tissue or structure.
Extruded
Partially pushed out of the socket, referring to a tooth.
Filling
A dental restoration used to restore a tooth’s function and structure after decay removal.
Flipper
A temporary removable denture used to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for a permanent restoration.
Flossing
The act of cleaning between teeth using dental floss to remove plaque and food particles.
Fluoride
A compound used to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride Treatment
The application of fluoride agents such as gel or rinse to protect teeth from decay.
Fracture
A break or crack in a tooth, often caused by trauma or weakened structure.
Framework
The metal skeleton of a removable partial denture that supports false teeth.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums, typically characterized by bleeding gums.
Hemorrhage
Bleeding from blood vessels.
Hemostasis
The process of stopping bleeding.
Impaction
The condition where a tooth is unable to fully emerge or is blocked by another tooth or bone.
Implant
A device placed in the jawbone to support a dental prosthesis or restoration.
Impression
A mold or negative imprint of teeth and oral tissues used for creating dental restorations.
Incisal
Pertaining to the cutting edge of front teeth.
Incisor
The front teeth located in the center of the mouth.
Inlay
A dental restoration fabricated in a lab and cemented onto a tooth’s prepared surface.
Interproximal
The space between adjacent teeth.
Jaw
The upper or lower bony structure that holds the teeth.
Lingual
Referring to the side of the tooth facing the tongue.
Mesial
Referring to the side of the tooth facing the middle of the jaw.
Molar
The last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of
the mouth used for grinding food.
Mouthguard
A device worn in the mouth to protect teeth and jaws from injury
during teeth grinding or sports activities.
Nightguard
A mouthguard worn during sleep to protect teeth from the effects of bruxism.
Occlusal
Relating to the biting surface of the back teeth.
Occlusion
The way the upper and lower teeth come together when biting or closing the mouth.
Onlay
A dental restoration that covers the entire biting surface of a tooth.
Open bite
A condition where the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
Orthodontics
The dental specialty focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating bite abnormalities and facial irregularities.
Overbite
The vertical overlap of upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed.
Overhang
The portion of filling material that extends beyond the cavity’s border.
Palate
The roof of the mouth.
Panoramic Radiograph
An x-ray image providing a wide view of the upper and lower jaws and associated structures.
Perforation
An opening or hole in a tooth or oral structure.
Periapical
Pertaining to the area surrounding the root tip of a tooth.
Periodontics
The dental specialty focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.
Permanent teeth
The adult teeth that replace primary (baby) teeth, usually beginning around 6 years old.
Pin
A small metal post used to enhance the retention of a dental restoration.
Polish
The process of making a tooth, filling, or denture smooth and glossy.
Pontic
A false tooth used in a bridge or denture to replace a missing tooth.
Post
A large pin made of metal or carbon used to provide support for a dental buildup on a tooth.
Posterior
Located at the back of the mouth or referring to the back teeth.
Pre-authorization
Approval obtained from an authority, usually an insurance company, before a treatment is performed.
Pre-medication
Medication taken before dental treatment for various reasons such as anxiety or infection prevention.
Premolar
The teeth located in front of the molars, used for chewing and grinding food.
Prescription
A written statement from a dentist to a pharmacist indicating the type, amount, and instructions for a medication.
Primary teeth
Also known as baby teeth or deciduous teeth, the first set of teeth in a child’s mouth.
Prophylaxis
The professional cleaning and polishing of teeth to prevent diseases such as gum disease and cavities.
Prosthesis
An artificial replacement for missing teeth and their associated structures.
Prosthodontics
The dental specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial teeth and structures.
Pulp
The innermost part of a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.
Pulpectomy
The complete removal of the pulp from inside a tooth.
Pulpotomy
The removal of the top portion of the pulp from inside a tooth.
Radiograph
An x-ray image used for diagnostic purposes in dentistry.
Recall
A regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.
Recementation
The process of reattaching or “gluing” a dental appliance or prosthesis back onto the associated area.
Restoration
Any dental material or device used to restore the function and appearance of a tooth, such as a filling, crown, or bridge.
Retainer
A device used to maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatment.
Retreatment
The repetition of a root canal treatment.
Root
The bottom part of a tooth that anchors it to the supporting structures.
Root canal
The canal inside the root of a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.
Root canal treatment
A dental procedure involving the removal of infected or damaged pulp from the root canal system of a tooth.
Root planing
The cleaning of the root surfaces of teeth to treat gum disease.
Rubber dam
A rubber sheet used to isolate the treatment area during dental procedures.
Scaling
The removal of plaque and tartar from teeth, particularly below the gumline.
Sealant
A thin plastic-like coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
Sedation
The use of medication to calm or relax a patient during dental treatment.
Space Maintainer
An appliance used to maintain the space between teeth, often used after premature tooth loss.
Splint
An appliance or material used to stabilize or prevent movement of a mobile tooth or teeth.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The joint connecting the jawbone to the skull, allowing for jaw movement.
Torus
An outgrowth of bone, typically found on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area of the lower jaw.
Veneer
A thin layer of tooth-colored material (such as porcelain, composite, or ceramics) bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance.
Wisdom tooth
The third molars, typically the last teeth to erupt in the mouth.
Xerostomia
Dry mouth, a condition characterized by reduced saliva production.
X-ray
An imaging technique that uses electromagnetic radiation to visualize structures within the mouth and jaw.