Patient Education  
 
  Welcome to the Patient Education Resource Center. The information presented here is intended to educate the general public on common dental topics. Many dental terms are commonly seen and heard in the print and broadcast media; as well as in our daily conversations. However, many people do not completely understand these dental terms unless they have had first hand experience with them at their dentists’ office.  Click on a letter to see the corresponding terms.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
   
   
 
A

Abscess:

A localized infection in the bone or soft gum tissues, usually at the end of the root tip.
 
Abutment:
The natural tooth that holds in place a fixed or removable bridge.
 
Air Abrasion:
Tiny particles of aluminum oxide blasted in a stream of water at the tooth to remove the decayed debris and ruined enamel of cavities.
 
Amalgam:
The most common filling material used for fillings, also referred to as mercury or silver.
 
Anesthesia:
Relieves the sensation of pain. See also General Anesthesia, IV Sedation and Local Anesthesia.
 
Autoclave:
A device that has a chamber where instruments are placed, and steam under pressure is injected, in order to complete sterilization.

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B

Bite:

The way the mouth closes, or the way in which the upper and lower teeth meet.

Bleaching:
See Whitening. Bonding: The covering of a tooth surface with a composite resin, to correct stained or damaged teeth.
Braces:
Devices used by Orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth.
Bridge:
Prosthetic (false) tooth or row of teeth that spans between two natural teeth.
Bruxism:
Clenching, grinding, and gnashing of the teeth.

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C

Cap:

See Crown.
Cavity:
A decay lesion or hole in a tooth.
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.
Composite Filling:
A tooth-colored filling composed of a polymer material that looks like a natural tooth.
Crown:

A porcelain or gold cover for a decayed, damaged, brittle or discolored tooth.

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.

D

Deciduous Teeth:

a child's first set of twenty teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. Also known as primary or baby teeth.
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 plague or other food deposits. 
Dentin:
The main portion of the tooth structure covered by enamel and surrounded by a layer of cementum along the root.
Denture:
A removable set of artificial teeth. See also Partial Denture.

E
Enamel:
The highly calcified covering over the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body.
Endodontics:
The branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure is a root canal.
Endodontist:
A specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp.
Extraction:
The removal of a tooth that is severely decayed, broken, loose, or causing crowding.

F

Filling:

Restoring lost tooth structure with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin. See also Amalgam and Composite filling.
Fluoride:
A chemical that is used to strengthen the teeth.

G

General Anesthesia:

A "deep sleep," genera; anesthesia renders you unconscious. See also IV Sedation, Local Anesthesia, and Nitrous Oxide.
Gingivitis:
Inflammation of the gums. Early stage of gum disease.

H
Halitosis:
Bad breath.
Heat Sterilization:
A procedure that involves a chamber into which instruments are placed and which raises the temperature for a period of time to kill all microorganisms.
Hygienist:
A type of dental professional qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care.

I

Imaging:

A photograph of teeth stored in a computer and then displayed on a television monitor. The dentist is able to show you an image of your smile with new, repaired or whitened teeth.
Impacted Tooth:
A tooth that fails to erupt properly and remains fully or partially embedded and covered over by bone or gum tissue.
Implant: 
A fixed replacement for a missing tooth.
Incisors:
The four upper or lower single-cusped front teeth designed for incising or cutting food.
Inlay:
A custom made cast-gold alloy that is cemented to a previously prepared cavity in the tooth.
Intraoral Camera:
A tiny TV camera used to view the inside of the mouth, with the images projected onto a monitor screen.
I.V. Sedation:
Anesthesia used for people who want to be asleep during dental procedures. It is sometimes described as a "light" anesthesia. See also General Anesthesia, Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide.

L

Lasers:

Dental lasers are a family of instruments, some used for surgery, some to cure (harden) restorative tooth materials and enhance tooth bleaching, and others to remove tooth structure to eliminate disease.
Local Anesthesia:
Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized area.

M

Malocclusion:

Meaning bad bite. Any condition that that does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth.
Molars:
The back teeth that are designed for grinding food before swallowing.
Mouthguard:
A removable appliance used to protect teeth from injury during athletic activities.

N
Nightguard:
A removable acrylic appliance used to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (TMD), usually worn at night.
Nitrous Oxide:
Colorless, sweet-tasting gas with a pleasing smell when inhaled, also called "laughing gas," used to help patients relax during treatment.

O

Onlay:

A gold or porcelain inlay extended to cover the cusps for protection of the tooth.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon:
A specialist who deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures.
Oral Sedation:
Any substance taken orally (i.e., a pill or liquid) to reduce anxiety and relax the patient.
Oral Surgery:
Surgery of the mouth.
Orthodontics:
Dental specialty that treats misalignment of teeth. Treatment usually consists of braces or a retainer.

P

Palate:

The general term that refers to the roof of the mouth.
Panorex:
A single full mouth x-ray.
Partial Denture:
A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
Pediatric Dentistry:
Dental specialty focusing on treatment of children's teeth.
Periodontal Disease:
The general term for the inflammation or disease affecting the gums and later the supporting bone around the teeth.
Periodontics:
The treatment of diseases of the gum or bone (supporting structure).
Periodontist:
A dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque:
A sticky substance that forms on the surface of the teeth and harbors bacteria growth and acid formation beneath its surface, causing tooth decay. Plaque buildup can irritate the gums and cause periodontal disease.
Porcelain Veneers:
See Veneers. 
Prophy:
Prophy:(short for prophylaxis). The professional cleaning and removal of plaque, stains, and calculus on the teeth.  Air polishing for stain removal.
Prosthodontics:
The replacement of missing or lost teeth with artificial teeth. Common procedures are crowns, bridges, dentures and false teeth.
Prosthodontist:
A dentist who specializes in restoring teeth and replacing missing teeth with bridges and dentures.
Pulp Chamber:
The opening in the center of the crown of a tooth which contains the pulp (nerve tissue) and stretches to the tip of the root.

Q

Quadrant:

One fourth of the mouth or half of the bottom or top section of the mouth.

R
Retainer:
An appliance for maintaining the positions of the teeth and jaws immediately after the completion of orthodontic treatment.

Root Canal:
A procedure used to save an abscessed tooth in which the pulp chamber is cleaned out, disinfected, and filled with a permanent filling.
Root Planing:
Deep cleaning of the teeth to remove hardened plaque below the gumline. This periodontal procedure is usually performed one quadrant at a time.

S
Scaling:

A treatment for gum disease involving removal of hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) from teeth. 

Sealant:
Plastic coating applied to grooves of the teeth to prevent decay.
Sterilization:
See Autoclave, Heat Sterilization.

 
T
Tartar:
Calcified plaque that forms from mineral salts in the saliva and deposits on the teeth.
TMD - Tempromandibular Disorders:

A collective umbrella for a number of clinical problems involving the masticatory muscles, tepromandibular joints (connects the lower jaw to the skull) and associated structures.

 
U
Ultrasonic Cleaning:

Cleaning that uses high frequency sound waves to gently remove deposits, such as tartar and stain, from the teeth.

 
V

Veneers:

composite resin or porcelain facing which is bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance, producing a very natural appearance.

 
W
Wand:
A computer guided pump designed to deliver local anesthetic comfortably. It replaces the hypodermic syringe.

Whitening:

A process which lightens the color of teeth.
Wisdom Teeth:
The third set of molars, the last teeth to come in.

 

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