Understanding Dental Terminology in Montclair, CA

B

Bicuspid -

A tooth located in the front of the mouth, typically with two cusps or points, used for tearing and crushing.

Bleaching -

A cosmetic dental procedure that whitens teeth using a bleaching solution.

Bonding -

The application of tooth-colored resin material using adhesives and a high-intensity curing light.

Braces -

Devices used in orthodontics to align and straighten teeth and help position them concerning a person's bite.

Bruxism -

The involuntary or habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep.

C

Calculus -

Hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.

Canal -

The narrow chamber inside the tooth’s root.

Canker Sore -

Small, painful, open sore in the mouth.

Caries -

Another term for tooth decay.

Cavity -

Permanent damage that results in a hole in the tooth.

D

Deciduous Teeth -

Primary (baby) teeth.

Dentin -

The hard tissue below the enamel in a tooth.

Dentures -

A removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues.

Diastema -

A space or gap between two teeth.

Dry Socket -

A painful condition that can occur after a tooth is extracted.

E

Edentulous -

Being without teeth.

Enamel -

The hard, outermost layer of a tooth.

Endodontics -

A dentist who specializes in root canal therapy.

Equilibration -

Adjusting the occlusion (bite) of a patient.

Extraction -

The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts.

F

Filling -

A way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape.

Flap Surgery -

Surgical procedure to lift away gum tissue so that it can be cleaned underneath.

Fluoride -

A mineral that helps prevent tooth decay.

Frenectomy -

The removal or alteration of a band of muscle tissue that is connected to the lip, cheek or floor of the mouth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction -

The process of rebuilding or restoring all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.

G

Gingiva -

Also known as gums, gingiva is the soft tissue surrounding the teeth and covering the jawbone.

Gingivectomy -

A surgical procedure to remove and reshape loose, diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the teeth and gums.

Gingivitis -

The mildest form of periodontal (gum) disease, causing irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of the gingiva.

Graft -

An inflammatory condition of the gums caused by acidic substances, plaque bacteria, and certain foods. It can lead to gum inflammation and affect the supporting bone and teeth.

Gum Recession -

The exposure of dental roots due to shrinkage of the gums as a result of abrasion, periodontal disease, or surgery.

H

Halitosis -

Medical term for bad breath, which can be caused by various factors including dietary habits, tobacco use, and oral health conditions.

Hard Palate -

The bony front portion of the roof of the mouth.

Hemisection -

A surgical procedure where a tooth with multiple roots is sectioned in half. This is typically done to treat a severe periodontal defect affecting only one root.

Hygienist -

A licensed dental professional who is trained to perform preventive dental care and oral hygiene procedures such as cleaning teeth and educating patients on proper oral care.

Hypersensitivity -

A condition characterized by exaggerated reactions to stimuli, such as temperature changes, sweets, or touch, typically due to exposed dentin or enamel erosion.

I

Impacted Tooth -

A tooth that has not erupted into its expected position in the mouth because it is blocked by another tooth, bone, or soft tissue, most commonly seen with wisdom teeth.

Implant -

A surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis, or to act as an orthodontic anchor.

Incisors -

The sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.

Inlay -

A dental restoration that is molded to the form of a cavity or fractured part of a tooth and cemented into place, serving to restore the tooth’s structure and function.

Interproximal -

The space located between two adjacent teeth.

J

Jaw -

The bony structure that houses the teeth; the human jaw is composed of two parts – the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible).

Jawbone Atrophy -

The process by which the jawbone deteriorates and shrinks due to various factors such as tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma.

Jaw Clenching -

The act of pressing the upper and lower jaw together tightly, often a symptom of stress, which can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and dental problems.

Juvenile Periodontitis -

A form of periodontitis that affects adolescents and young adults, characterized by inflammation and loss of supporting tooth structures, primarily affecting the first molars and incisors.

K

Keratinized Gingiva -

The type of gum tissue that is tightly bound to the underlying bone and is thicker and less fragile than non-keratinized gingiva, providing a protective barrier against mechanical forces.

Knocked-Out Tooth -

A term used to describe a tooth that has been dislodged from its socket in the jawbone, usually due to trauma or injury.

Kaolin -

A type of clay used in various dental applications, such as in the formulation of dental impressions.

L

Laminate Veneer -

A thin shell made of porcelain or composite resin that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance.

Lingual -

Pertaining to or situated near the tongue; in dentistry, this term is often used to describe the side of the teeth that faces the tongue.

Local Anesthesia -

The use of drugs to block sensation in a small area of the body, typically used in dental procedures to numb the area being treated.

Lesion -

An area of tissue that has been damaged through injury or disease, which can occur on the skin or inside the body, including the mouth.

M

Malocclusion -

The misalignment of opposing teeth when the jaws are closed, which can lead to bite problems and issues with jaw alignment.

Mandible -

The lower jawbone, which holds the lower teeth in place.

Maxilla -

The upper jawbone, which holds the upper teeth in place and forms the roof of the mouth and the floor of the orbits.

Molars -

The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding and chewing food. Adults typically have three molars on each quadrant of the mouth.

Mucocele -

A benign cyst often appearing in the oral cavity, typically resulting from a ruptured salivary gland duct.

N

Necrosis -

The death of cells or tissues, often resulting from disease or injury. In dentistry, it may refer to the death of tooth pulp or other oral tissues.

Night Guard -

A removable appliance worn at night to help prevent the wearing and abrasion of tooth surfaces due to grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism.

Nitrous Oxide -

Also known as laughing gas, it is a colorless, odorless gas used in dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects. It helps to reduce anxiety and pain during dental procedures.

Nodule -

A small lump of tissue which can be normal or abnormal, and may be solid or filled with fluid, often requiring examination to determine its nature.

Novocaine -

A synthetic compound used as a local anesthetic in medical and dental procedures. Although Novocaine was commonly used in the past, it has largely been replaced by safer and more effective anesthetics.

O

Occlusion -

The alignment and contact of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed, also known as the bite.

Onlay -

A type of restoration that covers one or more cusps of a tooth or the entire biting surface of a tooth

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery -

A dental specialty focused on treating diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region.

Oral Hygiene -

The practice of keeping the mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy to prevent dental problems, typically through regular brushing and flossing.

Orthodontics -

A branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, including malocclusions (bad bites).

P

Palate -

The roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities, divided into the hard and soft palate.

Periodontal -

Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth, including gums, cementum, periodontal membranes, and alveolar bone.

Periodontitis -

An advanced stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation, infection, bone loss, and sometimes tooth loss.

Prophylaxis -

A preventive treatment that typically includes the removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from the crown and root surfaces of teeth, commonly referred to as a dental cleaning or scaling.

Q

Quadrant -

The dental arch is divided into four quarters, each called a quadrant. These are named the upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left quadrants.

Quantitative Analysis -

In dentistry, this refers to techniques used to quantitatively measure the presence of specific substances, such as fluoride or calcium, in the teeth, saliva, or other parts of the oral cavity.

Quicksilver -

An old term for mercury. Dental amalgam restorations, also known as silver fillings, contain mercury, which binds the alloy particles together into a strong, durable, and hard-wearing material.

R

Radiograph -

An image or photograph that is produced on a radiation-sensitive film, paper, or screen by radiation other than visible light, especially an X-ray photograph of a body structure or part.

Recession -

The process in which the gums shrink back from the teeth, potentially exposing the roots and leading to sensitivity and other oral health problems.

Restoration -

A type of treatment to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of the missing tooth structure, which can result from caries or external trauma, such as a crack or fracture.

Root Canal Therapy -

A dental procedure to treat infection or damage at the center of a tooth (the pulp). The procedure involves removing the damaged area, cleaning and disinfecting it, and then filling and sealing it.

Root Planing -

A treatment for gum disease involving cleaning between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. It may include removing damaged tissue and smoothing rough areas of the root surface.

S

Scaling -

A dental procedure performed to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth, typically performed as part of a dental cleaning.

Sealant -

A plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent cavities by sealing grooves and crevices where food particles and bacteria can get trapped.

Soft Palate -

The muscular part of the roof of the mouth, located behind the hard palate. It forms a partition between the mouth and the throat (pharynx) and plays a role in swallowing and speech.

Subgingival -

Referring to the area below the gumline. Subgingival cleaning is important in treating periodontal (gum) disease.

Supernumerary Teeth -

Extra teeth that are additional to the regular number of teeth (32 in the adult human mouth). They can appear in any area of the dental arch.

T

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) -

The joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). TMJ disorders can result in jaw pain, headaches, and other symptoms.

Tooth Decay -

The destruction of tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque.

U

Ultrasonic Scaler -

A dental instrument that uses high-frequency vibrations to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth.

Unerupted Tooth -

A tooth that has not emerged or erupted from the gumline.

V

Veneer -

A thin shell made of porcelain or composite resin that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance.

Vestibule -

The space between the lips, cheeks, and gums.

Vital Pulp -

The living tissue inside a tooth, including the nerves and blood vessels.

W

Wisdom Teeth -

The third set of molars that typically erupt in late adolescence or early adulthood.

X

X-Ray -

A form of electromagnetic radiation used in dental imaging to visualize the internal structures of the teeth and jaw.

Xerostomia -

Dry mouth, a condition characterized by reduced saliva production.

Y

Yeast Infection -

A fungal infection that can occur in the mouth, often known as oral thrush or candidiasis. It can affect the tongue, inner cheeks, and other areas of the oral cavity.

Z

Zirconia Crown -

A type of dental crown made from zirconium dioxide, known for its durability and natural appearance.

Zygomatic Implant -

A type of dental implant that is anchored in the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) when traditional implants cannot be used due to bone loss.