Definitions of Dental
Terms
A-D
Abscess: A localized infection in the bone or soft gum
tissues, usually at the end of the root tip. Treated with antibiotics and
possibly a root canal, performed by an endodontist.
Abutment: The natural teeth that holds a fixed or
removable bridge in place. See "Crowns and Bridges."
Air Abrasion: A device that uses tiny particles of
aluminum oxide blasted in a stream of air at the tooth to remove the decayed
debris and ruined enamel of cavities. This procedure usually eliminates
the need for anesthesia, though it is not usable for all procedures where
a drill has normally been used. Search for a dentist that offers this treatment
by checking “New Technology” in the Precise Search portion of Find a Dentist.
Amalgam: The most common filling material used for
fillings, also referred to as mercury or silver, which are often contained
in the mixture. Alternatives are composite resins, and gold or porcelain
inlays. See "Restoring your teeth."
Anesthesia: Drugs and procedures that relieve the
sensation of pain. Various types include general anesthesia, IV sedation,
needle-less anesthesia and local anesthesia.
Apicoectomy: Surgery to the root section of the tooth
through the side of the gums where the root is severed at the base of the
tooth and the tooth is then filled. Usually done when a root canal has
failed to eliminate pain or infection, and is generally performed by an
endodontist.
Apnea or Sleep Apnea: A disorder which is potentially
fatal in which a person who is asleep may stop breathing multiple times
for more than 10 seconds. A general dentist or an oral and maxillofacial
surgeon treats this disorder.
Autoclave: A device that has a chamber where instruments
are placed and steam under pressure is injected in order to complete sterilization.
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards require
all dental offices to have sterilization procedures for instruments that
include the use of an autoclave.
Bite: The way the mouth closes, or the way in which the
upper and lower teeth meet. Refer to dictionary entries for malocclusion,
TMD, orthodontics. See "Replacing missing teeth" and "TMD."
Bleaching: A process of whitening teeth that uses special
compounds usually containing hydrogen peroxide. Sometimes lasers are used
in conjunction with these compounds. The over-the-counter whitening products
are not the prescription strength that dentists use and are therefore less
effective. See "Tooth whitening."
Bonding: The covering of a tooth surface with a composite
resin to correct stained or damaged teeth. Done normally if there is enough
healthy natural tooth material, otherwise porcelain veneers or crowns would
be used. See "Bonding."
Braces: Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition
teeth. There are several varieties of braces, from invisible, i.e., placed
on the interior of the teeth rather than the exterior, to plastic to metal
appliances. See "Braces (Orthodontics)."
Bridge: Prosthetic (false) tooth or row of teeth that spans
between two natural teeth to replace missing or lost teeth. An alternative
to a bridge would be a dental implant. See "Replacing missing teeth."
Bruxism: Involuntary, “nervous” grinding of the teeth while
the patient is asleep. Can eventually cause headaches, TMD, loss of tooth
surface and cracking. Treatment includes a nightguard custom-made by a
dentist from impressions made of the patient’s teeth. See "Common childhood
problems."
Calculus: (Also called tartar.) Calcified plaque that forms from
mineral salts in the saliva and deposits on the teeth. Removed in the course
of a prophylaxis, or dental cleaning. Some toothpastes claim to reduce
tartar accumulation, but only regular dental checkups and professional
cleanings can prevent this accumulation from causing gum disease and tooth
loss. See "Gum disease."
Cap: (Also called a crown.) A porcelain or gold cover for
a decayed, damaged, brittle, or discolored tooth. See "Restoring your teeth"
and "Crowns and bridges."
Caries: The medical term for dental cavities.
Cavity: A decay lesion or hole in a tooth, usually caused
by a diet which includes sugar, which allows bacteria to grow and secrete
acid onto the enamel of the tooth. See "Cavities" and "Nutrition."
Cementum: A thin layer of calcified tissue that has the
hardness of bone and covers the root surface of the tooth, connecting the
root to the bone of the jaw. See "What are teeth made of?"
Composite Filling: A tooth-colored filling composed of
a polymer material that looks like a natural tooth. Used instead of metal
amalgam. Alternatives are gold or porecelain inlays. See "Restoring your
teeth."
Crown: A porcelain or gold cover for a decayed, damaged,
brittle or discolored tooth. See "Restoring your teeth" and "Crowns and
bridges."
Cuspids: The large single-cusped (pointed) teeth at the
corners of the mouth, located between the incisors and bicuspids. Also
known as canine teeth.
Cusps: The raised round parts on the chewing surface of
the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth: (Also known as primary or baby teeth.)
A child's first set of twenty teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent
teeth. See "Emerging tooth order."
Dental Floss: A waxed or unwaxed piece of nylon string
that is inserted between the teeth and moved in an up/down fashion for
the removal of plaque or other food deposits. Essential care for healthy
teeth and gums, at least once a day. See "Flossing your teeth."
Dentin: The main portion of the tooth structure covered by enamel
and surrounded by a layer of cementum along the root. See "What are teeth
made of?"
DentiPatch: An adhesive strip applied by the dentist
to the gum to prevent pain of the local anesthetic injection. A type of
needleless anesthesia.
Denture: A removable set of artificial teeth. Dentures
may be partial, that is, replacing only a section of teeth, or full, which
would replace the entire upper or lower sections of teeth. Dentures are
most often created by a prosthodontist. An alternative to dentures is dental
implants. See "Replacing missing teeth."
Diastema: The space between teeth, most often referring
to the top two center teeth.
Digital Radiography: The use of computer imaging
rather than traditional x-ray film to create and store images of teeth.
Search for a dentist that offers digital radiography by checking “New Technology”
in the Precise Search portion of Find a Dentist. |
