A dental dictionary defines the words and terms for a dental condition or treatment. You can also feel confident in knowing more about the procedures and appliances Drs. Evans and Allen offer. To help you stay informed about dentistry and oral health, we are pleased to provide the following definitions. You are welcome to call Summit Dental of La Mesa if you have questions.
Abscess
An isolated buildup of pus, usually caused from infection
Abutment
A tooth or tooth structure, either natural or implanted, that supports a restoration such as a bridge, denture or dental implant.
Amalgam
A mixture of metals used as a filling material
Anesthetic
A sedative used to lessen the sensation or pain felt by an individual
Anterior
A position near the front
Apex
The bottom tip of a root
Asepsis
An absence or lack of bacteria
Attrition
Grinding down of teeth
Avulsed
The complete loss of a tooth due to an injury
Bitewing
A dental X-ray taken when the teeth are together
Bleaching
Tooth stain removal and whitening
Bridge
A replacement tooth supported by adjacent teeth or implants
Bruxism
Excessive grinding or clenching of teeth
Canine
The longest tooth in the mouth, sometimes pointed, found two teeth away from the front teeth
Canker sore
A sore on the inner surface of your mouth
Caries
Dental decay, or cavities
Cavity
Build of decay that has eroded a hole in the tooth
Cast
A replica of a patient’s dentition, also known as an impression
Cementation
A type of dental bonding
Chlorhexidine
An anti-bacterial agent used in products such as such as gels and rinses. It also aids in controlling gum diseases.
Clasp
A piece of metal attached to a partial denture or appliance to keep it in place
Cold sore
A sore or blister on the outside of the mouth, usually on or near the lip
Composite
Naturally colored filling material
Cross-bite
A misalignment of a person’s bite
Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal)
A cover or cap for a tooth used to restore shape, structure, and function
Decay
An infection of the tooth that causes deterioration of the enamel and tooth’s structure and health
Dentistry
The branch of healthcare dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the oral cavity and any supporting structures
Dentition
The arrangement, position, or number of teeth
Denture (Immediate/complete/partial, overdenture, temporary)
A dental appliance used to replace any missing teeth
Denturist
An individual specializing in fabricating dentures
Desensitization
A treatment that can reduce tooth sensitivity
Diagnosis
The act of determining a patient’s oral health
Diastema
A space or gap between two neighboring teeth, often the front teeth
Distal
Adjacent to the cheek
Edentulous
Referring to an individual who is missing all their teeth
Endodontics
A field of dental healthcare that attends to the root of the tooth
Eruption
The growth of the tooth through the gum
Excision
When something is removed
Extruded
A tooth that is not completely knocked out but still intact
Filling
A material placed in a tooth to fill in any cavities
Flipper
An appliance that is often used as temporary replacement for missing teeth
Floss
A thin thread used to remove food or buildup in between teeth
Fluoride
A substance similar to fluorine that can strengthen teeth
Fluoride treatment
The application or coating of fluoride on a tooth surface
Fracture
A crack in the tooth
Framework
The metal form of a dental appliance
Gingivitis
The beginning phase of periodontal disease
Hemorrhage
When a person sustains a great deal of bleeding
Hemostasis
When a person has stopped bleeding
Impaction
When a tooth cannot erupt properly
Implant
An artificial tooth surgically piece placed in the jaw bone to replace a missing tooth
Impression
A replica or mold of a patient’s teeth
Incisal
The cutting edge of incisors
Incisor
A person’s upper and lower front teeth
Inlay
Restoration that completes the shape and structure of a tooth
Interproximal
The space between two adjacent teeth
Lingual
Side of the tooth adjacent to the tongue.
Mesial
The side of the tooth facing towards the jaw
Molar
The last three teeth in the back of the mouth
Mouthguard
An appliance often worn during sports
Nightguard
A mouth guard appliance worn nightly
Occlusal
A surface of the tooth that meets the tooth above or below it when biting down
Occlusion
The relationship of how upper and lower teeth bite together
Onlay
A restoration similar to a filling that covers a biting surface
Open bite
The condition in which there is a space between the top and bottom teeth when biting down
Orthodontics
The field of dental care dedicated to the alignment and the positioning of a person’s bite
Overbite
The misalignment in which the upper teeth extend over the lower teeth when biting down
Overhang
An excess of fillings material that extends past the cavity
Palate
The roof of the mouth
Panoramic radiograph
An X-ray image of an individual’s complete dental and oral structures
Perforation
Any opening found in a tooth or other structure
Periapical
Encompassing a tooth’s root
Periodontics
The dental specialty focusing on gum disease
Permanent teeth
An individual’s second and last set of natural teeth
Pin
A straight metal piece used to help in retaining a filling
Polish
Smoothing the surface of a tooth or registration
Pontic
A tooth used in dental restorations or appliances to replace a missing tooth
Post
A restoration that supports a tooth or other appliance
Posterior
Position near the back
Pre-authorization
A recognition or approval of the treatments needed by a health insurer or other authority
Pre-medication
A medication taken prior to a treatment
Premolar
The dentition found between the canine and molar teeth
Prescription
A written and verified form or document to provide an individual with medication, or preparation of an appliance
Primary teeth
A child’s first set of teeth
Prophylaxis/prophy
A procedure done to polish teeth and/or a procedure to prevent future problems
Prosthesis
A replacement for a missing tooth or dental structure
Prosthodontics
The specialty focused on dental appliances and prosthetics
Pulp
The internal substance in a tooth
Pulpectomy
Complete removal of a tooth’s pulp
Pulpotomy
Partial removal of a tooth’s pulp
Radiograph
An image provided by X-ray technology
Recall
Routine dental care
Recementation
When an appliance or prosthesis is re-bonded or glued to the tooth
Restoration
An appliance used to repair the function, look or structure of a tooth
Retainer
Preserves the new position of teeth after orthodontic care
Retreatment
A repeated root canal treatment
Root
The anchoring structure of a tooth
Root canal
The part of the tooth, known as a canal, that contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth
Root canal treatment
Treatment that cleans the canal of the root inside the tooth
Root planing
A procedure to clean the root of a tooth
Rubber dam
A material used to set apart an area of the mouth
Scaling
A deep clean that extends to below the gum line
Sealant
A coating used to prevent future decay and cavities
Sedation
A medication that calms anxiety or sensation
Space maintainer
Appliance used to preserve a space between teeth
Splint
A method of blocking movement that uses an appliance
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
The two connecting joints of the jaw
Torus
An emerging piece of bone inside the mouth
Veneer
A cover or shell placed over a tooth to improve its appearance
Wisdom tooth
Third molars, the last teeth in the back of the mouth
Xerostomia
When the mouth is dry and does not moisten itself
