- Abscess – severe or chronic localized inflammation in the gum tissue or at the tooth root that usually presents with infection, swelling, discomfort, and pus. It can cause damage to surrounding teeth and bone if left untreated.
- Abutment – a natural tooth or dental implant that is used to support a fixed or removable dental prosthesis.
- Acid etching – preparation of tooth enamel or dentin surface by the use of an acidic chemical to ensure successful bonding.
- Acrylic resin – a compound that may be used to fabricate dental prosthetics, such as denture teeth and crowns.
- ADA – American Dental Association, an organization of professional dentists within the United States, commonly known for providing public dental health education.
- Adhesion – part of the bonding process characterized by chemical or physical agents connecting two or more surfaces, with or without the use of adhesive.
- Adhesive – any substance that causes two or more surfaces to maintain a connection with one another for an indefinite period of time.
- Air abrasion – the use of a tool that blasts air and abrasive material at a tooth to remove small amounts of tooth structure.
- Alloy/amalgam – compound made up of two or more elements and containing properties not found in the individual elements.
- Alveolar – part of the jaw bone where teeth are anchored.
- Anesthesia (local) – medication used to block discomfort in one area for treatment.
- Anesthesia (general) – medication used to induce partial or complete unconsciousness during treatment.
- Anterior – refers to teeth or tissues in the front part of the mouth.
- ANUG – Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, a condition characterized by small ulcers in the gums and aggravated by stress or smoking.
- Apex – the tip of the tooth root.
- Apicoectomy – surgical amputation of a tooth root to treat a dead tooth.
- Appliance – oral devices such as braces, mouth guards, or retainers.
- Arch – curved structure of upper or lower teeth.
- Archwire – metal wire used in braces to guide teeth into proper alignment.
- Arthrogram – diagnostic x-ray involving injection of contrast dye into the joint to view the bone structures.
- Artificial crown – prosthetic tooth restoration that covers or replaces a tooth, may attach to a partial tooth or dental implant.
- Attrition – natural wear causing loss of structure.
- Augmentation – a procedure that treats a deficiency of soft tissue or bone structure.
- Avulsion – removal of a tooth from the socket due to trauma.
- Band – metal ring cemented around a tooth to allow brackets to attach to the teeth.
- Banding – orthodontic process of fitting and cementing bands to teeth.
- Base – an insulating substance used beneath restorations to protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature.
- Benefit – payment for covered dental services by a third-party insurer.
- Benign – a term used to indicate mild, non-threatening, or non-malignant.
- Bicuspid – tooth located in front of the molars and behind cuspids.
- Bilateral – term meaning both right and left sides are indicated.
- Biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination and/or testing.
- Bioinert – material property indicating it causes no physical reaction, such as inflammation or immune response.
- Bite/occlusion – physical relationship between upper and lower teeth when closed.
- Bleaching – whitening of the teeth, generally using a chemical oxidizing agent and/or laser treatment.
- Block injection – anesthetic placed to cause numbness over a large area of the jaw and mouth.
- Block graft – bone graft stabilized with a screw, generally used to correct a large bone defect.
- Bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces.
- Bonding – the process of attaching brackets to teeth for braces or restoring teeth with composite resin to repair tooth color or shape.
- Bone atrophy/resorption – loss of bone in the jaw, commonly caused by periodontal disease.
- Braces – orthodontic devices used to reposition teeth over time to correct misalignment, generally consisting of brackets and archwires.
- Bracket – ceramic or metal piece cemented to the tooth to hold an archwire for orthodontic treatment.
- Bridge/partial denture – a dental prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, generally attaches to surrounding teeth or implants for support.
- Bruxism – involuntary grinding of the teeth, usually while sleeping, often causing tooth wear, sensitivity, headaches, and jaw discomfort.
- Buccal – referring to or toward the cheek.
- CAD/CAM – Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing.
- Calcium – mineral necessary for the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.
- Calculus – commonly called “tartar,” a hard substance that forms on teeth due to insufficient plaque control, may be stained brown or yellow.
- Canker sore – whitish mouth sore, usually lasts 10-14 days, may have a red “halo.”
- Cantilever bridge – dental bridge that only attaches to teeth on one side.
- Cap – commonly used term for a dental crown.
- Caries – common term for tooth decay or “cavities.”
- Cast/model – 3D reproduction used by filling an impression or mold with plaster and allowing it to dry.
- CAT scan – the computerized axial tomography scan is used to determine the size, shape, and placement of bone and is usually used for implant placement planning.
- Cavity – missing tooth structure caused by decay, abrasion, or erosion.
- Cavitron – a dental tool used in cleaning teeth, uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves.
- Cellulitis – a potentially dangerous infection of the soft tissue, characterized by extensive hard swelling.
- Cementum – hard tissue that covers the outer surface of a tooth root.
- Cephalometric imaging – X-ray scan of the head that shows the relative positioning of the face, teeth, and jaws.
- Clasp – acrylic or metal portion of a partial denture that hooks to natural teeth.
- Cleaning/prophylaxis – the removal of plaque and calculus from the teeth above the gumline.
- Cleft palate – congenital deformity that is characterized by a partial or complete lack of fusion of soft and/or hard palate.
- Coil spring – spring used between brackets and archwire to open or close space between teeth.
- Complete denture – a set of prosthetic teeth that are used to replace all upper or lower teeth.
- Composite resin – a tooth-colored material composed of plastic with small particles of ceramic or glass, generally cured with a chemical catalyst or filtered light.
- Coronal – referencing the crown of a tooth.
- Cosmetic dentistry – dental services used to improve appearance, rather than health or function.
- Crossbite – lower teeth lie in front of upper teeth when teeth are closed.
- Crown – may refer to the visible tooth above the gum line or to a prosthetic dental restoration that replaces part or all of a natural tooth.
- Crown lengthening – surgical manipulation of gum tissue to expose more tooth structure, often used in conjunction with other treatments.
- Curettage – the removal of infected tissues from the periodontal pocket or bone, often in conjunction with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning).
- Cusp – pointed or rounded mound on or near the chewing surface of a tooth.
- Cuspid – tooth located between incisors and bicuspids, also known as “eye tooth” or “canine.”
- Cyst – sac of tissue, usually hard or filled with fluid.
- DDS – Doctor of Dental Surgery, this degree is equivalent to DMD.
- Debridement – removal of plaque and calculus that is interfering with proper evaluation.
- Debanding – removal of cemented orthodontic bands from teeth.
- Debonding – removal of cemented orthodontic brackets from teeth.
- Decay – the destruction of tooth structure.
- Deciduous teeth – also known as “baby” or “primary” teeth, these first teeth generally arrive between the ages of birth and three and will fall out later as permanent teeth begin to erupt in their place.
- Dental implant – small cylinder, generally titanium, implanted into the upper or lower jawbone to anchor a dental appliance or restoration.
- Dentin – the hard inner layer of the tooth, just beneath the enamel, forms the bulk of the tooth structure.
- Dentistry – a medical field characterized by the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth, mouth, gums, jaws, and other oral and maxillofacial areas by a trained and certified professional.
- Dentition – the arrangement of teeth within the mouth.
- Denture – a set of one or more prosthetic teeth.
- Diagnostic cast – impression used to aid in planning treatment.
- Diagnostic imaging – photographs or radiographs taken for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation.
- Diastema – the space between two adjacent teeth.
- Discectomy – removal of intra-articular disc from a joint.
- Displaced tooth – tooth that has grown or shifted into an incorrect placement within the mouth.
- Distal – part of the tooth furthest from the center of the arch.
- DMD – Doctor of Medical Dentistry; this degree is equivalent to DDS.
- Dressing – medicines, bandages, or other materials applied to a wound to promote healing.
- Dry socket – painful localized inflammation of a tooth socket after extraction, caused by infection or loss of the blood clot needed for proper healing.
- Edentulous – term meaning “without teeth.”
- Enamel – hard tissue exterior of a tooth, covers the dentin.
- Endodontics – a dental field concerned with the care and treatment of tooth pulp and associated areas.
- Endodontist – dental specialist focused on treating disease and injuries of the tooth pulp and associated areas.
- Epidemiology – the scientific study of disease incidence and prevalence in a population.
- Equilibration – reshaping bite surfaces of teeth to correct an imbalance, also known as occlusal adjustment.
- Eruption – protrusion of teeth through gums.
- Evulsion/avulsion – removal of a tooth from the socket due to trauma.
- Excision – removal of tissue or bone through surgical means.
- Exodontia – dental extraction.
- Exostosis – bone overgrowth.
- Extraoral – refers to the area outside the oral cavity.
- Extracoronal – refers to the area outside the crown of a tooth.
- Extraction – removal of a tooth.
- Exudate – material containing fluid, cells, and/or debris caused by necrosis or inflammation.
- Eyeteeth – common term for cuspid or “canine” teeth.
- Filling – a term commonly used to describe a material such as metal, resin, or porcelain used to restore lost or damaged tooth structure.
- Fistula – a boil in the gums, infected with pus.
- Fixed denture/prosthesis – prosthetics that are attached to adjacent teeth or dental implants are to be non-removable by the patient.
- Flap surgery – surgical lifting of the gum tissue in order to expose and clean tooth and bone structures beneath.
- Forceps – a tool that may be used to remove teeth.
- Fracture – crack or break in bone or tooth structure.
- Frenectomy – surgical reshaping or removal of a small amount of muscle tissue attaching lips to gums or tongue to mouth floor, generally done to improve function.
- Frenulum/frenum – thin muscle tissue that attaches the cheek, lip, and/or tongue within the mouth.
- General anesthesia – the use of medication to induce a controlled unconscious state in a patient during treatment, allows reduced or eliminated sensation of discomfort and reflexive motion.
- Gingiva – also called gum tissue, is the soft tissue that surrounds teeth within the mouth.
- Gingivectomy – surgical removal of gum tissue/gingiva.
- Gingivitis – a stage of periodontal disease where gum tissue is inflamed and/or infected, but the loss of tissues has not occurred.
- Graft – surgical addition of natural or synthetic tissue to repair or reinforce tissues with defects or deficiency.
- Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) – an advanced surgical technique used to enhance bone regeneration/regrowth.
- Gum recession – shrinkage of gums due to periodontal disease, surgery, or other causes resulting in exposure of teeth roots.
- Halitosis – chronic bad breath, generally caused by an oral or gastrointestinal disorder.
- Hematoma – blood swelling beneath the surface of the skin, gums, or other tissue.
- Hygienist – dental professional who is trained and certified to perform dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, and other functions; provides patient education and may administer local anesthetic or nitrous oxide.
- Hyperplasia – abnormal increase in cell growth leading to enlargement of tissue.
- Imaging – includes, but is not limited to, X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, photographs, and other visual diagnostic formats.
- Immediate denture – teeth replacement prosthetic designed to be placed as soon as teeth are removed, generally will be replaced with a permanent denture once healing is complete.
- Immediate implant placement – dental implant placed during the same visit as the extraction of the tooth it replaces.
- Impacted tooth – a tooth that is partially or fully unable to erupt and remains embedded in soft tissue or wedged against bone or another tooth.
- Implant – to insert or graft material into tissue.
- Implant, dental – small metal cylinder, usually titanium, placed in or on jawbone, used in conjunction with a dental prosthetic as a tooth replacement solution.
- Implant dentistry – field of study and practice involving the surgical placement and maintenance of dental implants and implant-anchored tooth replacement prosthetics.
- Impression – mold of teeth and gums, made by biting a soft material, used for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes.
- Incision and drainage – small surgical cut to drain pus from an abscess.
- Incisors – four front center upper and lower teeth.
- Infiltration – use of local anesthetic by placing under the gum tissue, effective in certain parts of the mouth only.
- Inlay – filling made outside the tooth, then cemented or bonded in place to restore lost structure.
- Interproximal – adjacent surfaces between teeth within the same arch.
- Interocclusal – between upper and lower teeth of the bite.
- Intracoronal – inside the tooth crown.
- Intraoral – inside the oral cavity.
- Intraoral camera – a specially designed camera for use in photographing inside the mouth and for diagnostic purposes.
- Jacket crown – prosthetic crown for a front tooth.
- Jaw – common term referring to maxilla or mandible bone.
- Laminate veneer – thin material, generally tooth-colored, used to cover the front of a healthy tooth to restore the appearance from discoloration, damage, misalignment, or other such cosmetic issues.
- Laughing gas – a common term used for nitrous oxide, an odorless gas that produces a mild sedative effect when inhaled.
- Lesion – tissue injury, generally due to trauma, infection, or illness.
- Ligation – the process of attaching an archwire to braces in orthodontic treatment.
- Ligature – thin wire used to hold the archwire in the bracket in orthodontic treatment.
- Lingual – refers to the area or surface on or around the tongue, opposite of facial.
- Lip bumper – archwire attached to a piece of molded plastic, holds back molars of lower jaw to provide more space for the other teeth.
- Local anesthesia – medication used to block nerve impulses to provide partial or complete elimination of discomfort during treatment.
- Malocclusion – improper alignment of upper and lower jaw or teeth.
- Mandible – lower jaw.
- Mandibular canal – space within the mandible that holds the blood vessels and nerves for the lower jaw and teeth.
- Mastication – chewing, generally of food.
- Maxilla – upper jaw.
- Maxillary sinus – open cavity inside the maxilla.
- Molar – rearmost teeth, cusped, used for grinding food.
- Mouthguard – appliance used to protect the mouth and teeth during rigorous activity, such as sports.
- NSAID – analgesic medication, stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug.
- Night guard – appliance used to protect teeth and jaw during sleep in cases of grinding.
- Nitrous oxide – an odorless inhalant that causes a mild sedative effect.
- Occlusion – lineup of upper and lower teeth surfaces when the mouth is closed, also known as “bite.”
- Onlay – prosthetic restoration that covers the occlusal (biting/chewing) surface of a tooth, but not the whole tooth.
- Operculectomy – surgical removal of the operculum.
- Operculum – tissue flap covering a partially or fully unerupted tooth.
- Oral – referring to the mouth.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon – specialist with at least four additional years of specialized training beyond the dental degree, diagnoses and treats oral diseases, injuries, deformities, defects, or other issues, including surgical treatments of the oral and maxillofacial areas.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery – surgical treatment of the mouth, jaw, and related areas, may include extraction, repair of defects or fractures, removal of tumors or cysts, and others.
- Oral cavity – the inside of the mouth.
- Oral hygiene – establishment and maintenance of habits designed to keep the mouth, gums, and teeth healthy.
- Oral pathologist – dental specialist who focuses on the study, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral cavity, jaws, and other connected areas.
- Oral pathology – the study, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral cavity, jaws, and other connected areas.
- Orthodontics – dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusion and other neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities of the orofacial structure.
- Orthodontist – dental specialist who focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusion and other neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities of the orofacial structure.
- Orthognathic – refers to the functional relationship between the mandible and maxilla (upper and lower jaws).
- Osseous – refers to bone tissue.
- Osteoplasty – surgical procedure that modifies bone structure.
- Osteotomy – surgical procedure involving the cutting of a bone structure.
- Overbite – an orthodontic issue when upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower.
- Palate – hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities.
- Palatal expander – orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw.
- Palliative treatment – treatment for the purpose of discomfort relief only.
- Panoramic radiograph (x-ray) – radiograph that includes the full upper and lower teeth and jaws as a single flattened image, used for diagnostic purposes.
- Partial denture – a prosthetic device that is used to replace one or more missing teeth, but not the full upper or lower set, may be fixed or removable, also known as a bridge.
- Pediatric dentist – dental specialist focusing on the dental treatment of infants, children, and adolescents.
- Pediatric dentistry – a dental specialty that focuses on preventive care and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents, including care for special needs patients.
- Periapical (PA) – area at the end of a tooth root.
- Pericoronal – area around the crown of a tooth.
- Peri-implantitis – inflammation of the tissue surrounding a dental implant.
- Periodontal – refers to the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
- Periodontal disease – includes gingivitis and periodontitis, inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss can be treated but not cured.
- Periodontal surgery – surgery to treat diseased gum tissue in the mouth.
- Periodontal pocket – a feature of periodontal disease, pocket-like deformity in the gums at the tooth line.
- Periodontics – dental specialty focusing on the placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
- Periodontist – dental specialist who focuses on the placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
- Periodontitis – inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not cured.
- Permanent teeth – the second and final set of teeth, also known as adult teeth, usually 32 in total.
- Plaque – a soft, sticky substance that can accumulate on teeth, generally made of food debris and bacteria.
- Pontic – a prosthetic tooth, part of a partial denture/bridge.
- Post – a thin rod that may be inserted into the tooth root following root canal treatment; provides support for the tooth structure.
- Preventive dentistry – an aspect of dentistry that focuses on the promotion of good oral hygiene habits to protect oral health and reduce or prevent the development of oral health issues.
- Prophylaxis – professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, and surface stains from tooth structures, helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- Prosthodontics – a dental specialty that focuses on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth.
- Prosthodontist – dental specialist focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth.
- Pulp – connective tissue inside the tooth, contains nerves and blood vessels.
- Pulp cap – medicated covering placed over the small exposed area of pulp to aid in healing.
- Pulpectomy – complete removal of tooth pulp.
- Pulpitis – inflammation of pulp tissue, a common cause of toothaches.
- Pulpotomy – removal of the diseased portion of the pulp, leaving healthy pulp tissue intact.
- Radicular – refers to the tooth root.
- Radiograph – also known as an x-ray, an image of bone and tooth structures produced through exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Reimplantation – reinsertion of a tooth into its socket following trauma that partially or completely removed it.
- Reline – resurfacing of the tissue side of a removable denture to correct an issue with fit.
- Resin – material used in dental restorations and other dental treatments.
- Resorption – loss of bone or structure.
- Retainer – appliance used to ensure teeth do not return to a prior misaligned state following orthodontic treatment.
- Root – portion of the tooth that attaches the tooth to the gums and socket.
- Root canal – pulp cavity inside the tooth root.
- Root canal therapy – treatment of disease or injury to the tooth pulp, generally involves the removal of part or all of the pulp and replacement with inert material.
- Root planing – a procedure used in the treatment of periodontal disease, involves deep cleaning of teeth at the roots to remove calculus and other substances.
- Rubber dam – latex sheet used to isolate part of the mouth from saliva and potential contaminants during surgery.
- Scaling – professional deep cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, and surface stains from teeth, a common treatment for periodontal disease.
- Sealant – thin, resinous material that is applied to occlusal surfaces of rear molars to help prevent decay.
- Separator/spacer – a small rubber orthodontic ring is used to create space between teeth before bands are attached.
- Sinus graft – bone graft on the maxillary sinus to allow the placement of dental implants.
- Sleep apnea – interruptions in breathing during sleep due to airway collapse.
- Space maintainer – dental appliance used to fill space of prematurely lost baby tooth to prevent shifting of surrounding teeth.
- Stomatitis – inflammation of mouth membranes.
- Tartar – a commonly used term for dental calculus, a hard, rough deposit on teeth that attracts plaque.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder/dysfunction (TMD) – a condition involving discomfort and tension in the jaw and facial area, may include restricted movement.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – connecting hinge between the lower jaw (mandible) and the base of the skull.
- Treatment plan – set of procedures agreed upon by doctor and patient to address oral health concerns.
- Trench mouth – gum disease involving severe mouth ulcers, loss of tissue, and halitosis.
- Usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) fee – term meaning that a fee for a given procedure has been set according to a common consensus on its rate.
- Unerupted tooth – tooth that has not yet emerged from the gum into the mouth.
- Veneer – thin-facing bonded onto the front surface of a tooth to improve the appearance.
- Wax – may be used to stop irritation from braces.
- Wire tie – a fine wire that holds the archwire in place in braces by twisting around the bracket.
- Wisdom teeth – the third and final set of molars in the rear of the mouth that generally erupt between ages 18 and 25.
