This basic dental glossary was created to help you, the patient, better understand some of the proffesional terms you may come accross while browsing dental pages.

Abscess- a swelling caused by an an infection resulting in a pus filled hole

Abutment- tooth, root or implant used to support an artificial tooth restoration

Air Abrasion - a method of removing tooth decay without a drill and anesthesia, by using compresed air and fine sand particles.

Alveolar process - the part of the jaw that holds the teeth

Amalgam - a combination of metals, usually including silver, nickel and mercury used to filled cavities in teeth

Anterior - term referring to the front area of the mouth

Apex- the end of the tooth root

Apicoectomy - the surgical removal of the apex after which the open end of the root is sealed with filling.

Bell's palsy - paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in the permanent or temporary immobilization of the eye on either side of the face . Usually caused by injury or infection

Bicuspids - (premolars) teeth between the canine teeth and molars.

Bonding - a cosmetic procedure in which teeth are coated with composite resin in order to cover stains or improve apperance.

Bridge - an artificial fixed or removable prosthesis replacing one or more teeth.

Bruxizm- the habit of tooth grinding, usually during sleep, often resulting in loose or worn teeth, gum recession, destruction of the supportive bone and TMJ disorders.

Calculus - hardened deposit of mineral salts formed around the teeth.

Canine teeth - teeth next to the lateral incisors identified by pointed cusp used for tearing food

Canker sores - painfull noncontagious sores that form inside the mouth and on the lips

Composite resin - a tooth colored mixture of plastic resin and finely ground glass . Used to fill cavities in teeth.

Crown - visible part of tooth coverad by enamel. Crown - artificial - (cap) restoration made of metal or porcelain covering damaged tooth.

Cusp- a pointed projection located on the chewing of biting surface of tooth.

Cuspids- see Canine teeth

Deciduous teeth - (baby teeth) first set of teeth that is later replaced by permanent teeth.

Dentin - a mid part of tooth surrounding the pulp and covered by enamel

Denture - a partial or full set of artificial removable teeth

Enamel - the hard white outer covering of the tooth

Endodontics - an area of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp and the tissues at the root apex

Extrusion - the jutting of a tooth beyond it's correct position

Gingivatis - a condition in which the gums are red, swollen and bleeding. Most cases result from poor oral hygiene and the build-up of plaque on teeth

Halitosis - bad breath, caused by tooth decay, gum disease, digestive problems, smoking or some systemic diseases.

Impacted tooth - a condition in which a tooth is unable to erupt normaly because of it's position against the gum or bone

Implant - tooth replacement inserted into the bone in order to provide structure for an artificial fixed restoration.

Incisors - (central and lateral) the four front teeth used for cutting food

Malocclusion - (bad bite) abnormal contact between upper and lower teeth

Mandible - the lower jawbone

Maxilla - the upper jawbone

Maxillofacial - relating to the lower half of the face

Molars - back teeth used for grinding food. The furthest (third) molars are also known as wisdom teeth.

Nitrous Oxide - (laughing gas) a gas used as an anesthetic in dentistry and other medical procedures.

Orthodonticts - branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis of missaligned teeth.

Overbite - a vertical overlaping of the upper teeth over the lower teeth

Papillae - small projections on the surface of the tongue

Partial - (denture) removable appliance replacing one or more teeth.

Periodontal - relating to the gums and bone structure that surrounds and supports teeth

Plaque - a thin film on the the surface of teeth made up of material in saliva containing bacteria

Pontic - the artificial tooth of the fixed bridge that replaces natural tooth

Post - a metal or carbon fiber support used to reinforce a tooh that has had a root canal therapy.

Posterior - term refering to the back part of the mouth

Premolars - see bicuspids

Prosthetic - refering to the artificial part of the human body

Prosthodontics - branch of dentistry that deals with replacement of damaged or missing teeth

Pulp - soft, spongy tissue in the center of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves

Pulpectomy - the complete removal of the tooth's pulp.

Pulpotomy - partial removal of the tooth's pulp

Root canal - space in the root of tooth that contains pulp tissue

Root canal therapy - a procedure in which root canal is cleaned, shaped and filled

Tartar - a salivary deposit of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and organic matter on natural or artificial teeth

TMJ - (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) a missaligment of the joint connecting upper and lower jaw resulting in muscle and joint pain in the jaw area.