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Veneers
, Crowns
,
Bleaching/Whitening ,
Bonding
,
 A
Abrasion
Tooth wear caused by forces
other than chewing such as
holding objects between the
teeth or improper brushing.
Abrasion may quickly destroy
the structure of the tooth
once it gets past the
enamel.
Abscess
An
infection caused by severe
tooth decay, which can
include pus and swelling of
the gum tissue surrounding
the tooth.
Abutment
A tooth (or implant) that
supports a dental
prosthesis.
Alveolar bone
The part of the jaw that
surround the roots of the
teeth.
Alveolar process
The curving part of the jaw
into which the teeth are
rooted.
Alveolus
The socket in the alveolar
bone into which the tooth’s
root fits.
Amalgam
An alloy used in direct
dental restorations.
It contains a mixture of
mercury with other metals
such as silver.
Analgesia
Loss of pain sensations
without loss of
consciousness.
Ankylosis
A condition where two hard
tissues are fused together.
When this happens to a tooth
and the alveolar bone, the
tooth partially erupts.
Anesthesia
General
Anesthesia: A
controlled state of
unconsciousness,
accompanied by a partial
or complete loss of
protective reflexes,
including loss of
ability to independently
maintain airway and
respond purposefully to
physical stimulation or
verbal command, produced
by a pharmacologic or
non-pharmacologic method
or combination thereof;
Intravenous
Sedation/Analgesia:
A medically controlled
state of depressed
consciousness while
maintaining the
patient’s airway,
protective reflexes and
the ability to respond
to stimulation or verbal
commands. It includes
intravenous
administration of
sedative and/or
analgesic agent(s) and
appropriate monitoring.
Local Anesthesia:
The
loss of pain sensation
over a specific area of
the anatomy without loss
of consciousness.
Non-Intravenous
Conscious Sedation:
A medically
controlled state of
depressed consciousness
while maintaining the
patient’s airway,
protective reflexes and
the ability to respond
to stimulation or verbal
commands. It includes
administration of
sedative and/or
analgesic agent(s) by a
route other than IV;
(PO, PR, Intranasal, IM)
and appropriate
monitoring.
Regional
Anesthesia: A
term used for local
anesthesia. See
Local Anesthesia.
Apicoectomy
Removal of the tip of a
tooth root.
B
Benign
The mild character of an
illness or the non-malignant
character of a
neoplasm.
Bicuspid
A premolar tooth; a tooth
with two cusps.
Bilateral
Occurring on, or pertaining
to, both right and left
sides.
Biopsy
Process of removing tissue
for histologic evaluation.
Bitewing radiographs
X-rays used to reveal the
crowns of several upper and
lower teeth as they bite
down.
Bleaching
A cosmetic dental procedure
that whitens the teeth using
a bleaching solution.
Bonding
A composite resin applied to
a tooth to change its shape
and/or color. Bonding also
refers to how a filling,
orthodontic appliance or
some fixed partial dentures
are attached to teeth.
Bridge
See
Fixed Partial Denture
and/or
Removable Partial Denture.
Bruxism
Constant grinding or
clenching of teeth during
they day or while asleep.
C
Calculus
Hard deposit of mineralized
material adhering to crowns
and/or roots of teeth.
Canal
A relatively narrow tubular
passage or channel.
Root Canal:
Space inside the root
portion of a tooth
containing pulp tissue.
Cariogenic
Promotes tooth decay.
Caries
Commonly used term for tooth
decay.
Cavity
Decay in tooth caused by
caries; also referred to as
carious lesion.
Cementum
Hard connective tissue
covering the tooth root.
Cleft Lip
Birth defect in which one or
more fissures form in the
upper lip, which takes place
while the fetus is growing.
Cleft Palate
Congenital deformity
resulting in lack of fusion
of the soft and/or hard
palate, either partial or
complete.
Clenching
The clamping and pressing of
the jaws and teeth together
in centric occlusion,
frequently associated with
psychological stress or
physical effort.
Composite
A dental restorative
material made up of
disparate or separate parts
(e.g. resin and quartz
particles).
Conscious Sedation
A state in which patients
are awake and can breathe
and swallow on their own but
are less aware of what is
taking place.
Crown
Anatomical
Crown: That
portion of tooth
normally covered by, and
including, enamel;
Abutment Crown:
Artificial crown serving
for the retention or
support of a dental
prosthesis;
Artificial
Crown:
Restoration covering or
replacing the major
part, or the
whole of the clinical
crown of a tooth;
Clinical Crown:
That portion of a tooth
not covered by
supporting tissues.
Crown
Lengthening: A
surgical procedure
exposing more tooth for
restorative purposes by
apically positioning the
gingival margin and/or
removing supporting
bone.
Cusp
The pointed portion of the
tooth.
Cyst
Pathological cavity, usually
lined with epithelium,
containing fluid or soft
matter.
D
Debridement
Removing foreign matter or
dead tissue.
Decay
The lay term for carious
lesions in a tooth;
decomposition of tooth
structure.
Dental
Implants
Dental
implants replace damaged or
missing teeth with
artificial teeth and root
replacements. More
Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant
Dental Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing
procedure performed to
remove coronal plaque,
calculus, and stains.
Dental Prosthesis
An artificial device that
replaces one or more missing
teeth.
Dental Specialist
A dentist who has received
postgraduate training in one
of the recognized dental
specialties.
Dentin
That part of the tooth that
is beneath enamel and
cementum.
Dentition
The teeth in the dental
arch.
Denture
An artificial substitute for
natural teeth and adjacent
tissues.
Denture Base
The part of the denture that
holds the artificial teeth
and fits over the gums.
Direct Restoration
A restoration fabricated
inside the mouth.
Dry Mouth
See Xerostomia
Dry Socket
Localized inflammation of
the tooth socket following
extraction due to infection
or loss of blood clot;
osteitis.
E
Edentulous
Toothless.
Enamel
Hard calcified tissue
covering dentin of the crown
of tooth.
Enamel
Shaping
Evolves
shaping
shaping
the teeth to make them more
esthetically pleasing.
Endodontist
A dental specialist who
limits his/her practice to
treating disease and
injuries of the pulp and
associated periradicular
conditions.
Erosion
Wearing down of tooth
structure, caused by
chemicals (acids).
Eruption
When a tooth emerges or
pushes through the gums.
Evaluation
Periodic Oral
Evaluation: An
evaluation performed on
a patient of record to
determine any changes in
the patient’s dental and
medical health status
since a previous
comprehensive or
periodic evaluation.
This may require
interpretation of
information acquired
through additional
diagnostic procedures.
Report additional
diagnostic procedures
separately.
Limited Oral
Evaluation:
Problem focused: an
evaluation limited to a
specific oral health
problem. This may
require interpretation
of information acquired
through additional
diagnostic procedures.
Definitive procedures
may be required on the
same date as the
evaluation. Typically,
patients receiving this
type of evaluation have
been referred for a
specific problem and/or
present with dental
emergencies, trauma,
acute infection, etc.
Comprehensive
Oral Evaluation:
Typically used
by a general dentist
and/or a specialist when
evaluating a patient
comprehensively. It is a
thorough evaluation and
recording of the
extraoral and intraoral
hard and soft tissues.
It may require
interpretation of
information acquired
through additional
diagnostic procedures.
This would include the
evaluation and recording
of the patient’s dental
and medical history and
a general health
assessment. It may
typically include the
evaluation and recording
of dental caries,
missing or unerupted
teeth, restorations,
occlusal relationships,
periodontal conditions
(including periodontal
charting), hard and soft
tissue anomalies, etc.
Comprehensive
Periodontal Evaluation:
Typically
includes evaluation of
periodontal conditions,
probing and charting,
evaluation and recording
of the
patient’s dental and
medical history and
general health
assessment. It may
include the evaluation
and recording of dental
caries, missing or
unerupted
teeth, restorations,
occlusal relationships
and oral cancer
screening.
Detailed And
Extensive Oral
Evaluation—Problem-Focused,
By Report:
A detailed and extensive
problem-focused
evaluation entails
extensive diagnostic and
cognitive modalities
based on the findings of
a comprehensive oral
evaluation. Integration
of more extensive
diagnostic modalities to
develop a treatment plan
for a specific problem
is required. The
condition requiring this
type of evaluation
should be described and
documented. Examples of
conditions requiring
this type of evaluation
may include dentofacial
anomalies, complicated
perio-prosthetic
conditions, complex
temporomandibular
dysfunction, facial pain
of unknown origin,
severe systemic diseases
requiring
multi-disciplinary
consultation, etc.
Re-Evaluation—Limited,
Problem Focused
(established patient;
not post-operative
visit): This
includes assessing the
status of a previously
existing condition.
Examples of conditions
requiring this type of
evaluation may include:
A traumatic injury where
no treatment was
rendered but the patient
needs follow-up
monitoring; Evaluation
for undiagnosed
continuing pain: A soft
tissue lesion requiring
follow-up evaluation.
Excision
Surgical removal of bone or
tissue.
Extraction
The process or act of
removing a tooth or tooth
parts.
F
Filling
A lay term used for the
restoring of lost tooth
structure by using materials
such as metal, alloy,
plastic or porcelain.
Fixed Appliances
Orthodontic devices,
commonly known as braces,
that are bonded to the teeth
to produce different tooth
movements to help reposition
teeth for orthodontic
therapy.
Fixed
Partial Denture
A fixed partial denture is a
prosthetic replacement of
one or more missing teeth
cemented or attached to the
abutment teeth or implant
abutments adjacent to the
space.
Fracture
The breaking of a part,
especially of a bony
structure; breaking of a
tooth.
Full-Mouth X-Rays
A combination of 14 or more
periapical and 4 bitewing
films of the back teeth.
This series of
x-rays reveals all the teeth
(their crowns and roots) and
the alveolar bone around
them.
G
General Anesthesia
A deep level of sedation in
which patients lose
consciousness, feel no pain,
and have no memory of what
is taking place around them.
Gingiva
Soft tissues overlying the
crowns of unerupted teeth
and encircling the necks of
those that have erupted.
Gingival Hyperplasia
An overgrowth of gingival
tissues.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of gingival
tissue without loss of
connective tissue.
Gingivectomy
The excision or removal of
gingiva.
Gingivoplasty
Surgical procedure to
reshape gingiva.
Graft
A piece of tissue or
alloplastic material placed
in contact with tissue to
repair a defect or
supplement a deficiency.
Guided tissue
regeneration (GTR)
Procedure during flap
surgery for periodontal
disease in which a membrane
is inserted between the
alveolar bone and the bone
graft to encourage the gum
tissues to grow onto the
alveolar bone.
H
Currently there are no terms
listed alphabetically under
this letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
I
Imaging, Diagnostic
This would include, but is
not limited to, CAT scans,
MRIs, photographs,
radiographs, etc.
Immediate Denture
Prosthesis constructed for
placement immediately after
removal of remaining natural
teeth.
Impacted Tooth
An unerupted or partially
erupted tooth that is
positioned against another
tooth, bone, or soft tissue
so that complete eruption is
unlikely.
Implant
Material inserted or grafted
into tissue.
Implantation, Tooth
Placement of an artificial
or natural tooth into an
alveolus.
Inlay
An indirect intracoronal
restoration; a dental
restoration made outside of
the oral cavity to
correspond to the form of
the prepared cavity, which
is then luted into the
tooth.
Interproximal
Between the teeth.
Intraoral
Inside the mouth.
Intravenous Sedation
Medications used
intravenously (through the
bloodstream) to produce
varying levels of sedation.
J
Jaw
A common name for either the
maxilla or the mandible.
K
Currently there are no terms
listed alphabetically under
this letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
L
Labial
Pertaining to or around the
lip.
Lesion
An injury or wound; area of
diseased tissue.
Lingual
Pertaining to or around the
tongue; surface of the tooth
directed toward the tongue;
opposite of facial.
M
Maintenance,
Periodontal
Therapy for preserving the
state of health of the
periodontium.
Malignant
Having the properties of
dysplasia, invasion, and
metastasis.
Malocclusion
Improper alignment of biting
or chewing surfaces of upper
and lower teeth.
Maryland Bridge
A type of fixed partial
denture not requiring
crowns. The prosthesis is
bonded to the natural teeth
to secure it.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Molar
Teeth posterior to the
premolars (bicuspids) on
either side of the jaw;
grinding teeth, having large
crowns and broad chewing
surfaces.
Mouthguard
Device that fits over the
teeth to prevent injury to
the teeth, mouth or lips.
May also refer to a device
that prevents tooth grinding
or treats temporomandibular
disorders.
Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as
well as other canals and
cavities of the body; also
called “mucosa.”
N
Currently there are no terms
listed alphabetically under
this letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
O
Obstructive Sleep
Apnea
A disorder in which
breathing stops for short
periods of time during
sleep.
Occlusal
Pertaining to the biting
surfaces of the premolar and
molar teeth or contacting
surfaces of opposing teeth
or opposing occlusion rims.
Occlusion
Any contact between biting
or chewing surfaces of
maxillary (upper) and
mandibular (lower) teeth.
Onlay
An indirect restoration made
outside the oral cavity that
overlays a cusp or cusps of
the tooth, which is then
luted to the tooth.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
Oral And
Maxillofacial Surgeon
A dental specialist whose
practice is limited to the
diagnosis, surgical and
adjunctive treatment of
diseases, injuries,
deformities, defects and
esthetic aspects of the oral
and maxillofacial regions.
Oral Mucosa
The pink-red tissues that
line the mouth.
Orthodontist
A dental specialist whose
practice is limited to the
interception and treatment
of malocclusion of the teeth
and their surrounding
structures.
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct
facial imbalances caused by
abnormalities of the jaw
bones.
Osseointegration
The process by
which bone heals around an
implant.
Osteoplasty
Surgical procedure that
modifies the configuration
of bone.
Osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone.
Overdenture
A removable prosthetic
device that overlies and may
be supported by retained
tooth roots or implants.
P
Palate
The hard and soft tissues
forming the roof of the
mouth that separates the
oral and nasal cavities.
Palliative
Action that relieves pain
but is not curative.
Partial Denture
Usually refers to a
prosthetic device that
replaces missing teeth; see
Fixed Partial Denture or
Removable Partial Denture.
Parotid Glands
Major salivary glands
located in front of and
below the ears.
Patient
An individual who has
established a professional
relationship with a dentist
for the delivery of dental
health care. For matters
relating to communication of
information and consent,
this term includes the
patient’s parent, caretaker,
guardian, or other
individual as appropriate
under state law and the
circumstances of the case.
Pediatric Dentist
A dental specialist whose
practice is limited to
treatment of children from
birth through adolescence;
formerly known as a
pedodontist.
Pedodontist
See
Pediatric Dentist.
Pellicle
A thin nonbacterial film
from saliva that covers the
teeth.
Periapical X-Ray
An x-ray that shows several
entire teeth (crowns and
roots) and includes a small
amount of the periapical
bone (surrounding the root
tips).
Periodontal
Pertaining to the supporting
and surrounding tissues of
the teeth.
Periodontal Abscess
An infection in the gum
pocket that can destroy hard
and soft tissues.
Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory process of the
gingival tissues and/or
periodontal membrane of the
teeth, resulting in an
abnormally deep gingival
sulcus, possibly producing
periodontal pockets and loss
of supporting alveolar bone.
Periodontal Pocket
Pathologically deepened
gingival sulcus; a feature
of periodontal disease.
Periodontist
A dental specialist whose
practice is limited to the
treatment of diseases of the
supporting and surrounding
tissues of the teeth.
Periodontitis
Inflammation and loss of the
connective tissue of the
supporting or surrounding
structure of teeth with loss
of attachment.
Plaque
A soft sticky substance that
accumulates on teeth
composed largely of bacteria
and bacterial derivatives.
Porcelain
Veneers
One of
the most popular cosmetic
dentistry procedures. A
thing porcelain shell is
created to bond to the front
of the teeth. Porcelain
veneers have a high
resistance to food stains
and discoloration.
Post
An elongated projection
fitted and cemented within
the prepared root canal,
serving to strengthen and
retain restorative material
and/or a crown restoration.
Posterior
Refers to teeth and tissues
towards the back of the
mouth (distal to the
canines): maxillary and
mandibular premolars and
molars.
Precision Attachment
Interlocking device, one
component of which is fixed
to an abutment or abutments
and the other is integrated
into a fixed or removable
prosthesis in order to
stabilize and/or retain it.
Premedication
The use of medications prior
to dental procedures.
Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing
procedure performed to
remove coronal plaque,
calculus and stains.
Prosthesis
Artificial replacement of
any part of the body.
Prosthodontis
A dental specialist whose
practice is limited to the
restoration of the natural
teeth and/or the replacement
of missing teeth with
artificial substitutes.
Pulp
Connective tissue that
contains blood vessels and
nerve tissue which occupies
the pulp cavity of a tooth.
Pulp Cavity
The space within a tooth
which contains the pulp.
Pulpectomy
Complete removal of vital
and non vital pulp tissue
from the root canal space.
Pulpotomy
Surgical removal of a
portion of the pulp with the
aim of maintaining the
vitality of the remaining
portion by means of an
adequate dressing; pulp
amputation.
Q
Currently
there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this
letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
R
Radiograph
An image produced by
projecting radiation, as
x-rays, on photographic
film. Commonly called x-ray.
Ranula
A cyst that can develop
under the tongue on the
floor of the mouth.
Rebase
To replace the denture base.
Reline
To resurface the side of the
denture that is in contact
with the soft tissues of the
mouth to make it fit more
securely.
Removable Appliance
Removable orthodontic
appliances used to effect
simple tipping movements of
one tooth or several.
Removable Partial Denture
A removable partial denture
(removable bridge) is a
prosthetic replacement of
one or more missing teeth
that can be removed by the
patient.
Resorb
To dissolve.
Retainer
-
Orthodontic
Retainer:
Appliance to stabilize
teeth following
orthodontic
treatment.
-
Prosthodontic
Retainer: A
part of a fixed partial
denture that attaches a
pontic to the abutment
tooth, implant abutment,
or implant.
Root
The anatomic portion of the
tooth that is covered by
cementum and is located in
the alveolus (socket) where
it is attached by the
periodontal apparatus;
radicular portion of tooth.
Root Canal
The portion of the pulp
cavity inside the root of a
tooth; the chamber within
the root of the tooth that
contains the pulp.
Root Canal Therapy
The treatment of disease and
injuries of the pulp and
associated periradicular
conditions.
Root Caries
Tooth decay that forms on
the roots.
Root Planing
A procedure designed to
remove microbial flora,
bacterial toxins, calculus,
and diseased cementum or
dentin on the root surfaces
and in the pocket.
S
Scaling
Removal of plaque, calculus,
and stain from teeth.
Sealants
Plastic resin placed on the
biting surfaces of molars to
prevent bacteria from
attacking the enamel and
causing caries.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
An autoimmune disorder
(mostly affecting older
women) that is characterized
by partial or complete
cessation of saliva and
tears. It can be associated
with rheumatic disease, such
as rheumatic arthritis,
lupus, or scleroderma.
Splint
A device used to support,
protect, or immobilize oral
structures that have been
loosened, replanted,
fractured or traumatized.
Also refers to devices used
in the treatment of
temporomandibular joint
disorders.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the
membranes in the mouth.
Sublingual Glands
Major salivary glands
located in the mucosa on the
floor of the mouth.
Submandibular Glands
Walnut-sized major salivary
glands located beneath the
tongue.
Suture
Stitch used to repair
incision or wound.
T
Teeth
Whitening / Teeth Bleaching
Initial
bleaching sessions usually
take place at the dentist
office. Bleaching kits
are then given to the
patient for maintenance at
home. Patients should
avoid coffee and smoking if
they want longer lasting
results.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_whitening
Temporary Removable
Denture
An interim prosthesis
designed for use over
limited period of time.
Temporomandibular
(TMJ)
The connecting hinge
mechanism between the base
of the skull (temporal bone)
and the lower jaw
(mandible).
Temporomandibular
Joint Dysfunction
Abnormal functioning of
temporomandibular joint;
also refers to symptoms
arising in other areas
secondary to the
dysfunction.
Torus
A bony elevation or
protuberance of bone.
U
Unerupted
Tooth/teeth that have not
penetrated into the oral
cavity
V
Veneer
In the construction of
crowns or pontics, a layer
of tooth-colored material,
usually, but not limited to,
composite, porcelain,
ceramic or acrylic resin,
attached to the surface by
direct fusion, cementation,
or mechanical retention;
also refers to a restoration
that is luted to the facial
surface of a tooth.
There are many different
options for veneers these
days, so make sure you
understand your options.
W
Currently there are no terms
listed alphabetically under
this letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
X
Xerostomia
Decreased salivary secretion
that produces a dry and
sometimes burning sensation
of the oral mucosa and/or
cervical caries.
X-Ray
Radiograph.
Y
Currently there are no terms
listed alphabetically under
this letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
Z
Currently
there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this
letter. You can use the
search function at the top
of this page to find
information that may exist
in other locations.
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