The NobleDentist Blog

I have compiled a list of dental terms and definitions to assist you when reading about dental health issues.

This Glossary of Dental Terms will always sit within the categories section on the right-hand side of this page.

A

Acid attack: The bacteria (germs) that are found in plaque produce acids when sugar is eaten. Each time sugar is consumed, either food or drink, the bacteria creates an acid attack. It can take between 30 – 60 minutes for the acid level in the mouth to settle down again after consuming sugar.

Alveolar bone: The bone which surrounds the root of the tooth, holding it in place. Loss of this bone is typically associated with severe periodontal disease.

Amalgam: Dental material used to repair cavities. Commonly referred to as “silver fillings”, usually consists of a mixture of silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc particles combined with mercury.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta: Amelogenesis Imperfecta is inherited and may be recognised by the clinical condition of Hypoplasia affecting all the teeth. In this disease, the enamel is defective in nature while the dentine is normal. The colour of the teeth varies from dark brown to an opaque white or yellow.

Anterior teeth: These are the six teeth located in the front of the mouth, and are used as cutting (biting) surfaces rather than chewing surfaces.

Appliance: Any removable dental restoration or orthodontic device.

Attachment level: This is numerical measure of the attachment of periodontal ligament, which is determined generally by combining a pocket depth measurement with a measurement of gingival recession. Attachment level is considered one of the most important measures of periodontal disease progress or treatment success.

B

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Decay in infants and children, most often affecting the upper front teeth, caused by sweetened liquids given and left clinging to the teeth for long periods (e.g. in feeding bottles or pacifiers).

Bacteria: Bacteria may be commonly referred to as germs. They are very small, microscopic in size. Certain bacteria in the mouth can cause dental decay or gum disease.

Bonding: A technique for the restoration, repair, or cosmetic improvement of a tooth that involves the application of a high-impact resinous material to the tooth surface, where it adheres to existing enamel.

Bottle caries: This is a common term given to infant tooth decay. Bottle caries is often caused by a baby being given a dummy with a sweet substance on it such as honey or having bottles filled with sweet drinks such as cordial, softdrink, or fruit juices.

Bridge: A fixed partial denture which replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost.

Buccal: This is the technical term for the cheek, and is also used to refer to the cheek side of tooth surfaces. Technically, this term is used to describe the cheek surfaces of the posterior teeth, but is also used to describe the cheek surfaces of anterior teeth as well.

C

Calculus: Also called tartar. A tenacious, hardened material formed by mineralization (calcification) of dental plaque, which once formed can only be removed by a dentist/hygienist.

Canines: The pointed conical teeth located between the incisors and the first molars.

Caries: The technical term for cavities or tooth decay.

Cavity: The space inside a tooth that remains once decay is removed.

Cementoenamel junction: Abbreviated as “CEJ”, this is the point at which the tooth and root come together.

Cementum: Located at the root of the tooth, cementum serves as the anchor point for the ligaments that join the tooth to the boney tooth socket. It is the softest part of the tooth structures.

Composite: White filling material for repairing cavities.

Congenital Syphilis: Congenital syphilis affects both deciduous and permanent teeth. The molar teeth are often called Mulberry Molars because of their cobbled appearance. Patients affected by Congenital Syphilis may also have tapered looking crowns on their incisors (front teeth)

Crown: Portion of tooth covered by enamel; also refers to a dental restoration shaped like the tooth it covers.

Curettage: The removal of damaged or diseased tissue from the inside of a periodontal pocket.

D

Debridement: Treatment of bacterial infection by removing irritants (bacteria, calculus) from the periodontal pocket so as to allow healing of the adjacent tissues.

Deciduous teeth: Baby teeth. These are the first teeth that erupt in the mouth. There are 20 deciduous teeth in the mouth. Eruption times vary but babies usually have teeth starting to appear in the month around 6 months of age.

Demineralization: A loss of mineral from tooth enamel just below the surface in a carious lesion. May appear as a small white area on the tooth surface.

Dental assistant: The dental assistant or dental nurse helps the dentist with patient care. The dental assistant performs varying duties including preparation of materials and suction of fluids and debris from the patient’s mouth when teeth are being restored.

Dental resin: A dental material applied to the tooth which is used in cases of severe dentinal hypersensitivity. Typically not used unless all other treatment attempts have failed.

Dental varnish: A hypersensitivity treatment which sometimes contains sodium fluoride. Varnishes are applied to the tooth surface, covering the outer surface of dentin and thus blocking transmission of painful stimuli to the pulp.

Dentinal hypersensitivity: A sharp, sudden painful reaction when the teeth are exposed to hot, cold, chemical, mechanical or osmotic (sweet or salt) stimuli.

Dentinal tubules: Microscopic canals that run from the outside of the dentin to the nerve inside the tooth.

Dentin: This is the main tissue that forms the shape of the tooth. Dentin is the material which exists between the pulp and the enamel, and is comprised of a series of dentinal tubules stacked on top of each other.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta: Dentinogenesis imperfecta is a rare inherited disease in which all the deciduous and permanent teeth appear brown or bluey-grey in colour. Enamel formation is normal but dentinal tubules are absent or run an atypical course. The pulp chamber is usually obliterated and the root of the teeth short.

Denture: A partial or complete set of artificial teeth for either the upper or lower jaw.

Desensitization: Blocking the pain stimulus that causes dentinal hypersensitivity.

Desquamation: A peeling of the tissue of the gingiva. In cases of desquamative gingivitis, the tissues may appear smooth and shiny, with patches of bright red and gray. Surface tissue may peel away, exposing a raw, bleeding and extremely painful surface.

Dietary sugar: Sugar occurring in your diet, including sugar found in sweets, fruits and processed foods.

Distal: Referring to the tooth surfaces that face away from the midline of the mouth.

Dorsal surface: The top surface, typically used when speaking of the tongue, i.e. the dorsal surface of the tongue.

E

Early childhood caries: see Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Edema: Swelling that occurs when fluid accumulates in the gingival tissues.

Enamel: Enamel is the hard, mineralized, white material which covers the outside of the tooth.

Endotoxins: Endotoxins are a poisonous substance released from bacteria when it dies, and can cause tissue destruction directly or trigger an immune response which causes tissue breakdown.

Eruption: When teeth first peek through gums.

Explorer: A probe used to detect tooth decay.

F

Facial: Describes the surfaces of the anterior teeth facing the lips.

Fissures: Cleft-like grooves in the chewing surface of the back teeth.

Fluoride: A chemical compound that helps strengthen teeth as well as reduce tooth decay and sensitivity.

Fluorosis: Discoloration of the enamel due to too much fluoride ingestion (greater than one (1) part per million) systemically into the bloodstream, also called enamel mottling.

Free gingiva: The marginal part of the gingival (gums) that can be deflected from the tooth surface. The free gingiva forms a collar around the tooth.

G

Gingival crevicular fluid: Abbreviated as “GCF”, this is the clear fluid which continually flushes out the sulcus. In a state of health, there is little gingival crevicular fluid; however as inflammation increases, the amount of GCF increases also.

Gingival margin: Area of gingiva closest to the tooth surface, commonly referred to as the “gumline”

Gingival recession: The condition which exists when the gingival margin has receded towards the root from the cementoenamel junction (the area where the tooth and root meet).

Gingiva The dense tissue surrounding the teeth and covering the alveolar bone, commonly referred to as “gums”.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis generally refers to an inflammation of the gingiva (gums), and ranges in classification from mild to severe. Gingivitis is associated with redness, edema (swelling), bleeding, and tenderness of the gingiva.

Gum line: Space between tooth (including root) and gum tissue.

H

Hard palate: The bony front portion of the roof of the mouth.

Hypersensitivity: A sharp, sudden painful reaction when the teeth are exposed to hot, cold, chemical, mechanical or osmotic (sweet or salt) stimuli.

Hypocalcification: The development of normal enamel occurs in 2 stages – the formation of the enamel matrix and the mineralisation or calcification of the enamel matrix. If a temporary disturbance occurs during the stage of mineralisation or calcification of the enamel matrix, hypocalcification of enamel occurs. It manifests as a white, creamy or brown area or areas which will vary in extent and severity.

Hypoplasia: The development of normal enamel occurs in 2 stages – the formation of the enamel matrix and the mineralisation or calcification of the enamel matrix. If a temporary disturbance occurs during the stage of formation of the enamel matrix this will result in enamel hypoplasia because of the defective matrix. It manifests as either grooves or pits of varying degrees of severity.

I

Immune response: The body’s natural defense against bacterial assault, the immune response can also destroy alveolar bone in its attempt to destroy bacteria.

Implants: A metal rod that is screwed into the jaw where teeth are missing. An artificial tooth is then fitted over the implant to replace missing teeth.

Incisal edges: Refers to the biting edges of the anterior teeth.

Incisors: A tooth adapted for cutting or gnawing, located at the front of the mouth.

Interdental: Between the teeth.

Irrigation:
Mechanical method of flushing supra- and subgingival areas with fluid to disrupt debris and plaque.

L

Labial:
Referring to the surfaces of the anterior teeth that oppose the inner surface of the lip.

Lingual:
Refers to the inside surface of the tooth closest to the tongue.

M

Maintenance:
Regularly scheduled dental visits designed to maintain the health of the patient. Maintenance visits and therapy are based on the status of the patients oral health.

Malocclusion: Refers to abnormal or malposition relationships of the maxillary teeth to the mandibular teeth. Correction of malocclusion involves orthodontic treatment.

Mandible: The mandible is the bone that forms the lower jaw. This the largest and only freely movable bone of the face.

Maxilla: The upper jaw, which forms the upper portion of the mouth. The maxilla consists of two bones joined together at the midline of the face.

Mesial: Referring to the tooth surfaces that face towards the midline of the mouth.

Molars: Large, broad, multi-cusped teeth at the back of the mouth.

Mouthguard: A soft fitted device which protects teeth against impact or injury.

Mucosa: The thin, outer pink or red membrane lining the inside of the oral cavity.

O

Occlusal trauma: Occurs when excessive forces are placed on a normal dentition, i.e. grinding and clenching of teeth. If left uncontrolled, occlusal trauma may result in rapid attachment loss and bone loss.

Occlusal: The term identifies the biting surface of the posterior teeth.

Occlusion: Refers to the contact between maxillary and mandibular teeth in all mandibular positions and movement.

Orthodontics: An area of dentistry concerned with the correction of malocclusion and the restoration of teeth to proper functioning.

P

Palatal: The palatal area is found on the roof of the mouth.

Papilla: Refers to the “v” shaped gum tissue between individual teeth.

Pellicle: The first step in plaque formation, the pellicle is a clear, thin covering containing proteins and lipids (fats) found in saliva. Pellicle is formed within seconds after a tooth surface is cleaned.

Periodontal: Of or pertaining to the tissue and bone that support teeth.

Periodontal abscess: Acute infection of the gingival tissues surrounding an individual tooth, typically involving bone loss, pain, bleeding, severe redness and swelling of the affected area.

Periodontal disease: Disease of the supporting structure of the tooth.

Periodontal ligament: The fibers which suspend the tooth in the boney socket. The periodontal ligament is attached at one end to the cementum, and at the other end to the alveolar bone.

Periodontal probe: An instrument used to measure pocket depth.

Periodontitis: A form of periodontal disease resulting in destruction of alveolar bone.

Permanent teeth: More commonly known as adult teeth or secondary teeth. The permanent teeth replace the deciduous teeth or baby teeth. There are 32 permanent teeth.

Plaque: A colorless, sticky film of bacteria in a protein matrix that constantly forms on the teeth. The main factor in causing dental caries and periodontal disease when allowed to remain over a period of time.

Plaque attached: Bacterial plaque which is attached to hard tooth surfaces and can be removed only by mechanical means (i.e. instrumentation, oral hygiene aids such as toothbrushes, floss, etc,).

Plaque loosely adherent: Free floating bacterial plaque found on the surface of supragingival and subgingival plaque; contains most of the disease causing bacteria, and can easily be flushed from subgingival area with irrigation.

Polishing: A dental procedure that removes stain, plaque and acquired pellicle by using an abrasive polishing paste in a rubber cup attached to a slow-speed handpiece or air-powder polisher.

Posterior teeth: This refers to the premolar and molar teeth. The posterior teeth are those used for grinding food.

Pre-deciduous Dentition: Infants are occasionally born with structures which appear to be newly erupted teeth usually in the mandibular incisor area. These are homified epithelial structures without roots occurring on the gingivae over the crest of the ridge. Do not confuse with the baby who is born with its deciduous lower centrals erupted – this is merely a case of premature eruption.

Premolars: Two-cusped teeth immediately in front of molars.

Prophylaxis: Preventive dental office procedure involving removal of hard and soft deposits from the exposed surfaces of the dentition.

Proximal: Proximal surfaces are the surfaces of adjacent teeth.
Pulp: Pulp is the living part of the tooth, located inside the dentin. Pulp contains the nerve tissue and blood vessels which supply nutrients to the tooth.

R

Radiographic: Referring to x-rays.

Remineralization: Redeposition or replacement of the tooth’s minerals into a demineralized (previously decayed) lesion. This reverses the decay process, and is enhanced by the presence of topical fluoride.

Restorations:
Any replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth; for example, bridges, fillings, crowns and implants.

Root canal (endodontic) treatment:
A treatment in which diseased tissue from the pulp-filled channel in the root of the tooth is removed and the resulting cavity is filled with an inert material.

S

Scaling: Professional removal of hard deposits from the teeth.

Sealant: Used to prevent caries (tooth decay), sealants are a plastic liquid which is placed on the top surfaces of posterior teeth. The sealant hardens into place, forming a shallow surface that is easily cleaned with a toothbrush.

Sloughing: A condition in which the gingival tissue deadens and peels away from the living tissue.

Soft palate: The back tissue portion of the roof of the mouth.

Stain: Extrinsic stain refers to tooth stain located on the outside of the tooth surface originating from external substances such as tobacco, coffee, tea or food. This stain can often be removed by polishing the teeth with an abrasive prophylaxis paste. Intrinsic stain refers to tooth stain located within the tooth. It may originate from the ingestion of certain materials or chemical substances during tooth development. This stain is permanent and cannot be removed by polishing. Tooth bleaching may alter the stain.

Subgingival: The moat-like area below the gingival margin which surrounds the tooth.

Sulcus:
A space or trough lined by mucous membrane (e.g. gingival sulcus).

Supragingival: The area above the gingival margin.

T

Teething: The effects of baby teeth pushing through gums.

Temporomandibular Joint: Also abbreviated as “TMJ”, this is the “hinge” between the mandible and the skull.

Tetracycline: Tetracyclines are known to cause hypoplasia of tooth enamel and discolouration of teeth when used late in pregnancy and should be avoided at any stage in pregnancy. The potential dangers to the fetus from tetracyclines are well documented and among the best known in the general community because of the obvious effect of teeth staining. Tetracyclines are concentrated in chelated form in the enamel and dentine of developing teeth resulting in irreversible discoloration and enamel hypoplasia.

Topical: Applied directly to an infected area for treatment.

V

Veneers: Thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth in order to improve appearance.

Ventral surface: The underside, used when speaking of the tongue; thus the ventral surface of the tongue is the underside of the tongue.

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