THE

Glossary

A glossary of common dental terms

A

  • infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease

  • a silver and mercury material used for fillings

  • a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures

  • the teeth in the front of your mouth

  • the very tip of the root of a tooth

  • a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth

B

  • a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage

  • one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth

  • the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping

C

  • the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar

  • the pointy teeth just behind the laterals

  • =another name for cavities or decayed teeth

  • a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay

  • the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth

  • an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal

  • the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines

D

  • the loss of calcium from the teeth

  • an implant is attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth

  • a removable set of artificial teeth

E

  • the hardest substance in the human body and serves as the wear-resistant outer layer of the dental crown

  • a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth)

  • the removal of a tooth or teeth

F

  • a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity

  • a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay

G

  • inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth

  • the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth

I

  • often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction

  • one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth

  • a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth

L

  • these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals

N

  • a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth; also used to treat TMJ

P

  • also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth

  • a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease

  • a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay

  • the teeth in the back of the mouth

  • also known as "baby teeth"

  • a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth

R

  • the portion of the tooth below your gumline

  • cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed

S

  • plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children

  • the permanent teeth

  • a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night

T

  • a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw, often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.

  • a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth

V

  • a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth