abscess – severe and/or chronic localized inflammation in the gum tissue or at the tooth root that usually presents with infection, swelling, pain, and pus, and can cause damage to surrounding teeth and bone if left untreated
abutment – a natural tooth or dental implant that is used to support a fixed or removable dental prosthesis
acid etching – preparation of tooth enamel or dentin surface by the use of an acidic chemical to ensure successful bonding
acrylic resin – compound that may be used to fabricate dental prosthetics, such as denture teeth and crowns
ADA – American Dental Association, an organization of professional dentists within the United States, commonly known for providing public dental health education
adhesion – part of the bonding process, characterized by chemical or physical agents connecting two or more surfaces with or without the use of adhesive
adhesive – any substance that causes two or more surfaces to maintain connection with one another for an indefinite period of time
air abrasion – the use of a tool that blasts air and abrasive material at a tooth to remove small amounts of tooth structure
alloy/amalgam – compound made up of two or more elements and containing properties not found in the individual elements
alveolar – part of the jaw bone where teeth are anchored
anesthesia (local) – medication used to block pain in one area for treatment
anesthesia (general) – medication used to induce partial or complete unconsciousness during treatment
anterior – refers to teeth or tissues in the front part of the mouth
ANUG – Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, a condition characterized by small ulcers in the gums and aggravated by stress or smoking
apex – tip of the tooth root
apicoectomy – surgical amputation of a tooth root to treat a dead tooth
appliance – oral device such as braces, mouth guards, or retainers
arch – curved structure of upper or lower teeth
archwire – metal wire used in braces to guide teeth into proper alignment
arthrogram – diagnostic x-ray involving injection of contrast dye into joint to view the bone structures
artificial crown – prosthetic tooth restoration that covers or replaces a tooth, may attach to partial tooth or dental implant
attrition – natural wear causing loss of structure
augmentation – procedure that treats a deficiency of soft tissue or bone structure
avulsion/evulsion – removal of tooth from socket due to trauma
band – metal ring cemented in place around a tooth to allow brackets to attach to the teeth
banding – orthodontic process of fitting and cementing bands to teeth
base – insulating substance used beneath restorations to protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature
benefit – payment for covered dental services by third party insurer
benign – a term used to indicate mild, non-threatening, or non-malignant
bicuspid – tooth located in front of the molars and behind cuspids
bilateral – term meaning both right and left sides are indicated
biopsy – the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination and/or testing
bioinert – material property indicating it causes no physical reaction, such as inflammation or immune response
bite/occlusion – physical relationship between upper and lower teeth when closed
bleaching – whitening of the teeth, generally using a chemical oxidizing agent and/or laser treatment
block injection – anesthetic placed to cause numbness over a large area of the jaw and mouth
block graft – bone graft stabilized with screw, generally used to correct large bone defect
bond – mechanical or chemical adhesion connecting two surfaces, orthodontic appliance seal
bonding – process of attaching brackets to teeth for braces or restoring teeth with composite resin to repair tooth color or shape
bone atrophy/resorption – loss of bone in jaw, commonly caused by periodontal disease
braces – orthodontic devices used to reposition teeth over time to correct misalignment, generally consisting of brackets and archwires
arch – curved structure of upper or lower teeth
archwire – metal wire used in braces to guide teeth into proper alignment
arthrogram – diagnostic x-ray involving injection of contrast dye into joint to view the bone structures
artificial crown – prosthetic tooth restoration that covers or replaces a tooth, may attach to partial tooth or dental implant
bracket – ceramic or metal piece cemented to the tooth to hold an archwire for orthodontic treatment
bridge/partial denture – dental prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, generally attaches to surrounding teeth or implants for support
bruxism – involuntary grinding of the teeth, usually while sleeping, often causing tooth wear, sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain
buccal – referring to or toward the cheek
CAD/CAM – Computer -Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing
calcium – mineral necessary to the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones
calculus – commonly called “tartar,” hard substance that forms on teeth due to insufficient plaque control, may be stained brown or yellow
canker sore – whitish mouth sore, usually lasts 10-14 days, may have red “halo”
cantilever bridge – dental bridge that only attaches to teeth on one side
cap – commonly used term for dental crown
caries – common term for tooth decay or “cavities”
cast/model – 3D reproduction used by filling an impression or mold with plaster and allowing it to dry
CAT scan – Computerized Axial Tomography scan, used to determine size, shape, and placement of bone, usually used for implant placement planning
cavity – missing tooth structure caused by decay, abrasion, or erosion
Cavitron – dental tool used in cleaning teeth, uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves
cellulitis – potentially dangerous infection of the soft tissue, characterized by extensive hard swelling
cementum – hard tissue that covers the outer surface of a tooth root
cephalometric imaging – x-ray scan of the head that shows the relative positioning of the face, teeth, and jaws
clasp – acrylic or metal portion of a partial denture that hooks to natural teeth
cleaning/prophylaxis – the removal of plaque and calculus from the teeth above the gumline
cleft palate – congenital deformity that is characterized by a partial or complete lack of fusion of soft and/or hard palate
coil spring – spring used between brackets and archwire to open or close space between teeth
complete denture – set of prosthetic teeth that are used to replace all upper or lower teeth
composite resin – tooth colored material composed of plastic with small particles of ceramic or glass, generally cured with a chemical catalyst or filtered light
coronal – referencing the crown of a tooth
cosmetic dentistry – dental services used to improve appearance, rather than health or function
cross bite – lower teeth lie in front of upper teeth when teeth are closed
crown – may refer to the visible tooth above the gumline or to a prosthetic dental restoration that replaces part or all of a natural tooth
crown lengthening – surgical manipulation of gum tissue to expose more tooth structure, often used in conjunction with other treatment
curettage – the removal of infected tissues from periodontal pocket or bone, often in conjunction with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
cusp – pointed or rounded mound on or near the chewing surface of a tooth
cuspid – tooth located between incisors and bicuspids, also known as “eye tooth” or “canine”
cyst – sac of tissue, usually hard or filled with fluid
DDS – Doctor of Dental Surgery, this degree is equivalent to DMD
debridement – removal of plaque and calculus that is interfering with proper evaluation
debanding – removal of cemented orthodontic bands from teeth
debanding – removal of cemented orthodontic bands from teeth
decay – the destruction of tooth structure
deciduous teeth – also known as “baby” or “primary” teeth, these first teeth generally arrive between the ages of birth and 3 and will fall out later as permanent teeth begin to erupt in their place
dental implant – small cylinder, generally titanium, implanted into the upper or lower jawbone to anchor a dental appliance or restoration
dentin – hard inner layer of the tooth, just beneath the enamel, forms the bulk of the tooth structure
dentistry – medical field characterized by the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth, mouth, gums, jaws, and other oral and maxillofacial areas by a trained and certified professional
dentition – the arrangement of teeth within the mouth
denture – set of one or more prosthetic teeth
diagnostic cast – impression used to aid in planning treatment
diagnostic imaging – photographs or radiographs taken for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation
diastema – the space between two adjacent teeth
discectomy – removal of intra-articular disc from a joint
displaced tooth – tooth that has grown or shifted into an incorrect placement within the mouth
distal – part of the tooth furthest from the center of the arch
DMD – Doctor of Medical Dentistry, this degree is equivalent to DDS
dressing – medicines, bandages, or other materials applied to a wound to promote healing
dry socket – painful localized inflammation of a tooth socket after extraction, caused by infection or loss of the blood clot needed for proper healing
edentulous – term meaning “without teeth”
enamel – hard tissue exterior of a tooth, covers the dentin
endodontics – dental field concerned with care and treatment of tooth pulp and associated areas
endodontist – dental specialist focused on treating disease and injuries of the tooth pulp and associated areas
epidemiology – scientific study of disease incidence and prevalence in a population
equilibration – reshaping bite surfaces of teeth to correct imbalance, also known as occlusal adjustment
eruption – protrusion of teeth through gums
evulsion/avulsion – removal of tooth from socket due to trauma
excision – removal of tissue or bone through surgical means
exodontia – dental extraction
exostosis – bone overgrowth
extraoral – refers to the area outside the oral cavity
extracoronal – refers to the area outside the crown of a tooth
extraction – removal of a tooth
exudate – material containing fluid, cells, and/or debris caused by necrosis or inflammation
eyeteeth – common term for cuspid or “canine” teeth
filling – term commonly used to describe a material such as metal, resin, or porcelain used to restore lost or damaged tooth structure
fistula – a boil in the gums, infected with pus
fixed denture/prosthesis – prosthetic which is attached to adjacent teeth or dental implants to be non-removable by the patient
flap surgery – surgical lifting of the gum tissue in order to expose and clean tooth and bone structures beneath
forceps – tool that may be used in the removal of teeth
fracture – crack or break in bone or tooth structure
frenectomy – surgical reshaping or removal of small amount of muscle tissue attaching lips to gums or tongue to mouth floor, generally done to improve function
frenum – thin muscle tissue that attaches cheek, lip, and/or tongue within the mouth
general anesthesia – the use of medication to induce a controlled unconscious state in a patient during treatment, allows reduced or eliminated sensation of pain and reflexive motion
gingiva – also called gum tissue, soft tissue that surrounds teeth within the mouth
gingivectomy – surgical removal of gum tissue/gingiva
gingivitis – stage of periodontal disease where gum tissue is inflamed and/or infected, but loss of tissues has not occurred
graft – surgical addition of natural or synthetic tissue to repair or reinforce tissues with defect or deficiency
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) – advanced surgical technique used to enhance bone regeneration/regrowth
gum recession – shrinkage of gums due to periodontal disease, surgery, or other cause resulting in exposure of teeth roots
halitosis – chronic bad breath, generally caused by oral or gastrointestinal disorder
hematoma – blood swelling beneath the surface of the skin, gums, or other tissue
hygienist – dental professional who is trained and certified to perform dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, and other functions, provides patient education, and may administer local anesthetic or nitrous oxide
hyperplasia – abnormal increase in cell growth leading to enlargement of tissue
imaging – includes, but is not limited to, X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, photographs, and other visual diagnostic formats
immediate denture – teeth replacement prosthetic designed to be placed as soon as teeth are removed, generally will be replaced with permanent denture once healing is complete
immediate implant placement – dental implant placed during the same visit as the extraction of the tooth it replaces
impacted tooth – a tooth that is partially or fully unable to erupt and remains embedded in soft tissue or wedged against bone or another tooth
implant – to insert or graft material into tissue
implant, dental – small metal cylinder, usually titanium, placed in or on jawbone, used in conjunction with dental prosthetic as a tooth replacement solution
implant dentistry – field of study and practice involving the surgical placement and maintenance of dental implants and implant-anchored tooth replacement prosthetics
impression – mold of teeth and gums, made by biting a soft material, used for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes
incision and drainage – small surgical cut to drain pus from an abscess
incisors – four front center upper and lower teeth
infiltration – use of local anesthetic by placing under the gum tissue, effective in certain parts of the mouth only
inlay – filling made outside the tooth, then cemented or bonded in place to restore lost structure
interproximal – adjacent surfaces between teeth within the same arch
interocclusal – between upper and lower teeth of the bite
intracoronal – inside the tooth crown
intraoral – inside the oral cavity
intraoral camera – specially designed camera for use in photographing inside the mouth, used for diagnostic purposes
jacket crown – prosthetic crown for a front tooth
jaw – common term referring to maxilla or mandible bone
laminate veneer – thin material, generally tooth-colored, used to cover the front of a healthy tooth to restore the appearance from discoloration, damage, misalignment, or other such cosmetic issue
laughing gas – common term used for nitrous oxide, an odorless gas that produces a mild sedative effect when inhaled
lesion – tissue injury, generally due to trauma, infection, or illness
ligation – process of attaching archwire to braces in orthodontic treatment
ligature – thin wire used to hold archwire in the bracket in orthodontic treatment
lingual – refers to area or surface on or around the tongue, opposite of facial
lip bumper – archwire attached to a piece of molded plastic, holds back molars of lower jaw to provide more space for the other teeth
local anesthesia – medication used to block nerve impulses to provide partial or complete elimination of pain during treatment
malocclusion – improper alignment of upper and lower jaw or teeth
mandible – lower jaw
mandibular canal – space within the mandible which holds the blood vessels and nerves for the lower jaw and teeth
mastication – chewing, generally of food
maxilla – upper jaw
maxillary sinus – open cavity inside the maxilla
molar – rearmost teeth, cusped, used for grinding food
mouthguard – appliance used to protect the mouth and teeth during rigorous activity, such as sports
occlusion – lineup of upper and lower teeth surfaces when mouth is closed, also known as “bite”
onlay – prosthetic restoration that covers the occlusal (biting/chewing) surface of a tooth, but not the whole tooth
operculectomy – surgical removal of the operculum
operculum – tissue flap covering partially or fully unerupted tooth
oral – referring to the mouth
oral and maxillofacial surgeon – specialist with at least 4 additional years of specialized training beyond the dental degree, diagnoses and treats oral diseases, injuries, deformities, defects, or other issues, including surgical treatments of the oral and maxillofacial areas
oral and maxillofacial surgery – surgical treatment of the mouth, jaw, and related areas, may include extraction, repair of defects or fractures, removal of tumors or cysts, and others
oral cavity – the inside of the mouth
oral hygiene – establishment and maintenance of habits designed to keep mouth, gums, and teeth healthy
oral pathologist – dental specialist who focuses on study, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral cavity, jaws, and other connected areas
oral pathology – the study, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral cavity, jaws, and other connected areas
orthodontics – dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusion and other neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities of the orofacial structure
orthodontist – dental specialist who focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusion and other neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities of the orofacial structure
orthognathic – refers to the functional relationship between the mandible and maxilla (upper and lower jaws)
osseous – refers to bone tissue
osteoplasty – surgical procedure that modifies bone structure
osteotomy – surgical procedure involving the cutting of bone structure
overbite – orthodontic issue, when upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower
palate – hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities
palatal expander – orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw
palliative treatment – treatment for the purpose of pain relief only
panoramic radiograph (x-ray) – radiograph that includes the full upper and lower teeth and jaws as a single flattened image, used for diagnostic purposes
partial denture – prosthetic device that is used to replace one or more missing teeth, but not the full upper or lower set, may be fixed or removable, also known as a bridge
pediatric dentist – dental specialist focusing on the dental treatment of infants, children, and adolescents
pediatric dentistry – dental specialty that focuses on preventive care and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents, includes care for special needs patients
periapical (PA) – area at the end of a tooth root
pericoronal – area around the crown of a tooth
peri-implantitis – inflammation of the tissue surrounding a dental implant
periodontal – refers to the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontal disease – includes gingivitis and periodontitis, inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not cured
periodontal surgery – surgery to treat diseased gum tissue in the mouth
periodontal pocket – a feature of periodontal disease, pocket-like deformity in the gums at the toothline
periodontics – dental specialty focusing on placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontist – dental specialist who focuses on placement of dental implants and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth
periodontitis – inflammation of the periodontal tissues, may include the development of periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss, can be treated but not cured
permanent teeth – the second and final set of teeth, also known as adult teeth, usually 32 in total
plaque – soft, sticky substance that can accumulate on teeth, generally made up of food debris and bacteria
pontic – prosthetic tooth, part of a partial denture/bridge
post – thin rod that may be inserted into tooth root following root canal treatment, provides support for the tooth structure
preventive dentistry – aspect of dentistry that focuses on promotion of good oral hygiene habits to protect oral health and reduce or prevent development of oral health issues
prophylaxis – professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, surface stains from tooth structures, helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease
prosthodontics – dental specialty focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth
prosthodontist – dental specialist focusing on the use of prosthetic tooth replacement and restoration of natural teeth
pulp – connective tissue inside the tooth, contains nerves and blood vessels
pulp cap – medicated covering placed over small exposed area of pulp to aid in healing
pulpectomy – complete removal of tooth pulp
pulpitis – inflammation of pulp tissue, common cause of toothaches
pulpotomy – removal of diseased portion of pulp, leaving healthy pulp tissue intact
radicular – refers to tooth root
radiograph – also known as an x-ray, image of bone and tooth structures produced through exposure to ionizing radiation
reimplantation – reinsertion of tooth into its socket following trauma that partially or completely removed it
reline – resurfacing of the tissue side of a removable denture to correct issue with fit
resin – material used in dental restorations and other dental treatments
resorption – loss of bone or structure
retainer – appliance used to ensure teeth do not return to prior misaligned state following orthodontic treatment
root – portion of the tooth that attaches the tooth into the gums and socket
root canal – pulp cavity inside the tooth root
root canal therapy – treatment of disease or injury to tooth pulp, generally involves the removal of part or all of the pulp and replacement with inert material
root planing – procedure used in the treatment of periodontal disease, involves deep cleaning of teeth at the roots to remove calculus and other substances
rubber dam – latex sheet used to isolate part of the mouth from saliva and potential contaminants during surgery
scaling – professional deep cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, and surface stains from teeth, common treatment for periodontal disease
sealant – thin, resinous material that is applied to occlusal surfaces of rear molars to help prevent decay
separator/spacer – small rubber orthodontic ring used to create space between teeth before bands are attached
sinus graft – bone graft on the maxillary sinus to allow the placement of dental implants
sleep apnea – interruptions in breathing during sleep due to airway collapse
space maintainer – dental appliance used to fill space of prematurely lost baby tooth to prevent shifting of surrounding teeth
stomatitis – inflammation of mouth membranes
tartar – commonly used term for dental calculus, hard, rough deposit on teeth that attracts plaque
temporomandibular joint disorder/dysfunction (TMD) – condition involving pain and tension in the jaw and facial area, may include restricted movement
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – connecting hinge between lower jaw (mandible) and the base of the skull
treatment plan – set of procedures agreed upon by doctor and patient to address oral health concerns
trench mouth – gum disease involving severe mouth ulcers, loss of tissue, and halitosis
usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) fee – term meaning that a fee for a given procedure has been set according to a common consensus on its rate
unerupted tooth – tooth that has not yet emerged from the gum into the mouth
veneer – thin facing bonded onto the front surface of a tooth to improve appearance
wax – may be used to stop irritation from braces
wire tie – fine wire that holds the archwire in place in braces by twisting around the bracket
wisdom teeth – third and final set of molars in the rear of the mouth, generally erupt between ages 18 and 25
