- AbscessA collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection.
- AbutmentA tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture.
- AmalgamA silver filling material.
- AnestheticAn agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeli
- AnteriorThe front position.
- ApexThe end of the root.
- AsepsisNo micro-organism.
- AttritionWear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.
- AvulsedAn injury that causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of the mouth.
- BitewingA kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together. The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavities in between teeth and height of bone support.
- BleachingWhitening of teeth.
- BridgeA prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth.
- BruxismTeeth grinding.
- CanineThe third tooth from the middle of the jaw. There are four of them. They are the longest teeth in humans.
- Canker soreAn ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth. It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus.
- CariesTooth decay.
- CavityA hole on the tooth.
- CastA model of teeth.
- CementationThe process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis on the associated are
- ChlorhexidineAn anti-microbial agent. It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses. It is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases.
- ClaspA metal arm extended from a removable partial denture. It helps to hold onto natural tooth structure and thus provide anchorage for the denture.
- Cold soreAn ulcer or blister on lip. A form of herpes simplex.
- CompositeWhite filling.
- Cross-biteAn abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. The lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.
- Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal)A crown is almost like a “cap” on a tooth. It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and outlook.
- DecayA soft substance caused by the bacterial demineralization of enamel and dentin. An infection within a tooth. Must be treated.
- DentistryA branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concerning teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures
- DentitionThe position, type, and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw.
- Denture(Immediate/complete/partial) (overdenture, temporary) An artificial object to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures. There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences.
- DenturistThe person who specializes in fabricating dentures. A Denturist is not responsible for making any type of diagnosis or carrying out any other treatment (e.g. removing teeth).
- DesensitizationA procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth.
- DiagnosisThe process of identifying dental disease.
- DiastemaThe space between two adjacent teeth.
- DistalA direction indication in the mouth. It indicates the direction away from the middle of the jaw.
- EdentulousNo teeth.
- EndodonticsA department of dentistry involving diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental pulp (where the nerves and blood vessels are inside the tooth).
- EruptionThe process of the tooth appearing in the mouth.
- ExcisionThe action of cutting something off.
- ExtrudedWhen a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket.
- FillingA restoration placed on a tooth to restore its function and appearance.
- A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment.
- FlossA thread/tape that goes in between teeth for cleaning.
- FluorideA compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, and rinses to strengthen teeth.
- FractureWhen a cusp of a tooth becomes weakened, a fracture may result. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root and damage to the pulp is commonplace.
- FrameworkA metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic attachments.
- GingivitisThe mildest form of gum disease: inflammation of gum. The earliest sign is bleeding gum.
- HemorrhageBleeding
- HemostasisStop bleeding.
- ImpactionA condition where a tooth is not able to come in normally or is stuck underneath another tooth or bone.
- ImplantA device (usually “screw-like”) put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge.
- ImpressionA mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray
- IncisalThe cutting edge of front teeth.
- IncisorThe four upper and lower front teeth.
- InlayA restoration (usually gold, composite or ceramics) fabricated in the lab that cements on a tooth like a missing puzzle piece. It helps to restore the normal function and outlook of the tooth.
- InterproximalThe space between two adjacent teeth.
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- LingualThe side of the tooth towards the tongue.
- MesialThe side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw.
- MolarThe last three upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.
- MouthguardA device to be worn in the mouth. Depending on the design of it, it prevents injury to teeth and/or jaw during teeth grinding or sport events.
- NightguardA mouthguard which is worn at night time.
- OcclusalThe biting surface of the back teeth.
- OcclusionThe way how the upper and lower teeth close together.
- OnlayA restoration covers the entire biting surface of a tooth.
- Over biteThe overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together.
- OverhangThe portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity.
- PalateThe roof of the mouth.
- PerforationAn opening on a tooth or other oral structure.
- PeriapicalThe surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth.
- PeriodonticsA specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.
- Permanent teethAdult’s teeth. The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old
- PinA piece of “nail-like” metal. It usually is used for better retention of a filling.
- PolishA process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy.
- PonticThe false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth.
- PostA big pin which can be made with different materials such as metal or carbon. Its function usually is to support a big buildup on a tooth.
- PosteriorLocated at the back.
- Pre-authorizationAn approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out.
- Pre-medicationMedication needing to be taken before treatment.
- PremolarThe two teeth located in front of the molar.
- PrescriptionA written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient. In dentistry, a prescription can also be a written statement for preparation of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician.
- Primary teethBaby teeth.
- Prophylaxis/prophyThe procedure of teeth polishing. It also means the prevention of diseases.
- ProsthesisAn artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
- ProsthodonticsA specialty of dentistry involving diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
- PulpThe innermost part of a tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth.
- PulpectomyThe removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth.
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- RadiographAn x-ray picture.
- RecallThe regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.
- RecementationThe process of “gluing” the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area.
- RestorationAn item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth. It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge, etc.
- RetainerA device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment.
- RetreatmentThe process of repeating the root canal treatment.
- RootThe bottom part of tooth. It anchors the tooth to its supporting units.
- Root canalThe canal that runs inside the root of the tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.
- Root canal treatmentA treatment for the root canal inside the tooth.
- Root planingThe action of cleaning the root area of teeth.
- Rubber damA rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity.
- ScalingThe action of cleaning teeth below the gumline
- SealantA thin layer of plastic-like material covering the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity.
- SedationThe use of medication to calm a patient.
- Space MaintainerAn appliance to maintain the space between teeth.
- SplintAn appliance or a material to prevent movement of a mobile part.
- Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ)The joint that links the two parts of the jaw.
- TorusAn outgrowth of bone. It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw.
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- VeneerA layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) that attaches to the front of the tooth. It is usually used to improve the appearance of the tooth.
- Wisdom toothThe eighth (also the last) tooth from the middle of the jaw.
- XerostomiaDry mouth
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