Glossary of Dental and Denture Terms

A

Abscess – A painful pocket of pus caused by infection, usually near a tooth or in the gums. If not treated, it can spread and damage surrounding tissue.

Abrasion – Wearing down of a tooth caused by things like brushing too hard or using your teeth to hold objects.

Amalgam – A strong metal material used for fillings, especially in back teeth.

Anesthesia Medication – Medicine used to numb your mouth so you do not feel pain during dental treatment.

Anterior Teeth – The front teeth are used for biting and smiling.

Arch – The curved shape of your upper or lower teeth.

Apicoectomy – A small surgery that removes the tip of a tooth’s root to treat infection.

Avulsion – When a tooth is completely knocked out due to injury.

B

Band – A metal ring placed around a tooth to support braces.

Basic Cleaning – A routine dental cleaning that removes plaque, tartar, and stains.

Biopsy – A small sample of tissue taken to check for disease.

Bleaching – A treatment used to whiten teeth.

Bicuspids (Premolars) – Teeth between the front teeth and molars that help chew food.

Bitewings – Dental X-rays used to find cavities between teeth.

Bonding – A treatment that uses tooth-colored material to fix chips or improve appearance.

Bone Loss – Loss of jawbone that supports teeth, often caused by gum disease or missing teeth.

Bone Resorption – A natural biological process in which the body breaks down and absorbs bone tissue. While this process is part of normal bone maintenance, it can become a problem when bone is lost faster than it is rebuilt.

Bridge – A fixed dental appliance used to replace missing teeth.

Bruxism – Grinding or clenching teeth, often during sleep.

C

Calculus (Tartar) – Hardened plaque that sticks to teeth and must be removed by a dental professional.

Canal – The inside part of a tooth root that contains nerves and blood vessels.

Canines (Cuspids) – Pointed teeth used for tearing food.

Canker Sore – A small, painful sore inside the mouth.

Caries (Tooth Decay) – Damage to a tooth caused by bacteria.

Cavity – A hole in a tooth caused by decay or damage.

Cement Base – Material used to replace missing tooth structure.

Cleft Palate – A birth condition where the roof of the mouth does not fully form.

Cold Sore – A contagious blister around the lips caused by a virus.

Composite Filling – A tooth-colored filling used to repair a tooth.

Composite Resin – A material used in fillings and bonding.

Contouring – Shaping teeth to improve their look or function.

Crown – A cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape and strength.

Crown Lengthening – A procedure that exposes more of a tooth by adjusting the gums.

Cusps – The pointed parts on the top of back teeth.

D

DDS / DMD – Degrees earned by dentists (Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine).

Decay – The breakdown of tooth structure caused by bacteria.

Dentin – The layer under enamel that makes up most of the tooth.

Dental Specialist – A dentist with extra training in a specific area, like orthodontics or implants.

Dental Prophylaxis – A professional cleaning that removes plaque and stains.

Dental Prosthesis – An artificial replacement for missing teeth, such as dentures.

Debridement – A deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.

Denture – A removable set of artificial teeth used for tooth replacement.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) – A condition where the mouth does not produce enough saliva, increasing the risk of decay.

Dry Socket – A painful condition that can happen after a tooth is removed.

E

Endodontics – A type of dentistry that treats the inside of the tooth.

Endodontist – A dentist who specializes in root canals.

Erosion – Wearing away of teeth caused by acid.

Excision – Surgical removal of tissue.

Extraction – Removal of a tooth.

Filling – Material used to repair a damaged tooth.

F

Fluoride – A mineral that helps protect teeth from cavities.

Fluorosis – Discoloration of teeth caused by too much fluoride during development.

Fluoride Varnish – A protective coating applied to teeth to prevent cavities.

Fracture – A broken tooth.

Full-Mouth X-Ray – A set of X-rays showing all teeth and jaw structures.

G

General Dentist – A dentist who provides regular dental care.

Gingiva (Gums) – The soft tissue that surrounds teeth.

Gingivitis – Early gum disease that causes red, swollen, or bleeding gums.

Gingivectomy – Removal of gum tissue.

Gingivoplasty – Reshaping of gum tissue.

Graft – Tissue used to repair or rebuild an area.

Gum Disease – Infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.

H

Hemisection – Cutting a tooth in half to remove damaged parts.

HIPAA – A law that protects your medical and dental information.

I

Immediate Denture – A denture placed right after teeth are removed.

Impacted Teeth – Teeth that do not fully come out of the gums.

Implant – A metal post placed in the jaw to support a replacement tooth or denture.

Incisors – Front teeth used for cutting food.

Inlay – A custom filling placed inside a tooth.

J

Jaw – The bone structure that holds your teeth.

Jawbone Resorption – A specific type of bone resorption that occurs in the jaw after tooth loss. When teeth are missing, the jawbone no longer receives stimulation from chewing, causing it to shrink over time. This can lead to changes in facial structure and difficulties with denture fit and tooth replacement options.

K

Keratin – A protein that helps form skin and gum tissue.

Keratinized Gingiva – Strong gum tissue that protects teeth.

L

Laminate Veneer – A thin cover placed on the front of a tooth to improve appearance.

Lesion – An area of damaged or unhealthy tissue.

M

Malocclusion – Misaligned teeth or bite.

Mandible – The lower jaw.

Maxilla – The upper jaw.

Molar – Back teeth used for grinding food.

Mouthguard – A device worn to protect teeth during sports.

N

Neuromuscular Dentistry – Focuses on how teeth, muscles, and joints work together.

Nightguard – A device worn at night to prevent teeth grinding.

O

Onlay – A type of filling that covers a larger area of a tooth.

Oral Surgeon – A specialist who performs dental surgery.

Orthodontics – Treatment to straighten teeth.

Overdenture – A denture that fits over natural teeth or implants.

P

Palate – The roof of the mouth.

Partial Denture – A removable appliance that replaces some missing teeth.

Peri-implantitis – Infection around a dental implant.

Periodontal Disease – Gum disease that affects the supporting structures of teeth.

Periodontist – A specialist in gum health.

Plaque – A sticky film of bacteria on teeth.

Posterior Teeth – Back teeth are used for chewing.

Preventive Dentistry – Care that helps prevent dental problems.

Primary Teeth – Baby teeth.

Prosthodontics – Dentistry focused on replacing missing teeth.

Pulp – The inner part of the tooth with nerves and blood vessels.

R

Radiograph (X-ray) – An image used to see inside teeth and gums.

Receding Gums – When gums pull away from teeth.

Reline – Adjusting a denture for a better fit.

Removable Partial Denture – A denture that can be taken out.

Resorptive Bone Loss – A broader term that describes the gradual loss of bone density and volume due to aging, disease, or lack of use. In the context of oral health, it often refers to the weakening and shrinking of the jawbone.

Root Canal – A treatment to remove infection from inside a tooth.

Root Planing – Deep cleaning below the gum line.

S

Scaling – Removing plaque and tartar from teeth.

Sealants – Protective coatings applied to teeth to prevent decay.

Suture – A stitch used after surgery.

T

TMJ – The joint that connects your jaw to your skull.

Tartar – Hardened plaque on teeth.

Temporary Denture – A denture used for a short time.

V

Veneer – A thin cover placed over a tooth to improve its appearance.

Vestibuloplasty – Surgery to improve the fit of dentures.

W

Wax Pattern – A model used to create crowns or other dental work.

Whitening – A treatment that lightens tooth color.

Wisdom Tooth – The last set of molars that usually appear in early adulthood.

X

Xerostomia – Dry mouth caused by low saliva.

X-ray – An image used to see inside the mouth and teeth.

Y

Yeast (Oral Thrush) – A fungal infection in the mouth, often affecting denture wearers.