50 Common Dental Terminologies and Procedure | Glossary of the dental terms

Abscess

A severe, contained infection is called an abscess. When bacteria create severe tooth decay, they can penetrate the supporting bone through the pulp in the tooth’s interior and spread infection. When you have an infection, your body responds by sending white blood cells to the spot to kill the bacteria.
Pus, the telltale sign of an abscess, is created by the swarming of bacteria and dead white blood cells in this infection zone. An abscess is a severe, pus-filled swelling that develops as the pressure from the collecting fluid puts pressure on the nearby bone.

Amalgam

A common filling material for cavities is amalgam. The substance, commonly referred to as “silver fillings,” includes mercury along with silver, tin, copper, and sometimes zinc, which helps bind the metals together to create a filling that is hard, robust, and long-lasting.

Bicuspid

Bicuspid teeth are the rear teeth that are used for chewing and are the fourth and fifth teeth from the front of the mouth to the back. They only have two tips (cusps). Eight bicuspids, or premolars, are present in adults, two of which are located in front of each row of molars.

Bleaching

Teeth whitening is referred to as “bleaching.” To assist remove exterior stains from tea, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, and other foods and beverages, there are numerous teeth-whitening alternatives available.
Some teeth-whitening techniques involve bleaching your teeth in a dental office or at home, as well as using whitening toothpaste. The most common bleaching agents used in the bleaching process are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.

Braces

Braces are tools (bands, wires, ceramic appliances) used by orthodontists to move teeth gradually into better alignment.

Bonding

When a tooth is chipped, decayed, discolored, or broken, the dentist can restore it by bonding a tooth-colored composite resin to the affected area.

Bruxism

Most people undoubtedly occasionally clench and grind their teeth. Although occasional teeth grinding, or bruxism, as it is known medically, usually has no negative effects, chronic teeth grinding can harm teeth and lead to other issues with oral health.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

The inside of the cheeks, the tongue, the gums, the lips, and the roof of the mouth are all painfully affected by burning mouth syndrome. Problems with the sensory and taste nerves may be involved. Food allergies, nutritional deficits, dry mouth, and certain drugs are possible causes.

Caries

The correct dental term for tooth deterioration or cavities is caries. These are small holes or openings in the hard surface of your teeth that are permanently destroyed. One of the most pervasive and enduring diseases that can be prevented nowadays is tooth decay.
Frequent snacking, poor oral hygiene, and consumption of sugary beverages are only a few of the many factors that contribute to caries. When you eat particular foods, bacteria on your teeth break down the food, creating acids that can seriously harm the hard tissues of your teeth, leading to cavities or dental caries.

Calculus

Due to insufficient plaque control, calculus—hard, calcium-like deposits that frequently have a yellow or brown stain—forms on teeth. Known also as “tartar.”

Carcinogenic

If a material causes cancer, whether it be physical, biological, chemical, or another type, it is carcinogenic.

Denture

A denture is an artificial tooth replacement for missing natural teeth and supporting tissues that can be fixed or removable. There are complete and partial removable dentures available. When all of the teeth are lost, complete dentures are used; when some natural teeth are still present, partial dentures are.

Deciduous teeth

Although mouthwashes and oral rinses are frequently used to freshen breath, some mouthwashes and oral rinses can also treat or prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, or plaque buildup

Eruption

Dentists refer to a new tooth’s emergence as “erupting.” By the age of 21, the majority of people’s permanent teeth have all grown.

Endodontic treatment

A root canal, also known as an endodontic procedure, addresses the interior of your tooth. When the pulp, the soft tissue found inside the root canal, develops an infection or inflammation, this therapy is required.

Numerous factors, including extensive decay, broken or chipped teeth, or repeated dental treatments on the tooth, might contribute to the infection or inflammation. The pulp inflammation or infection may be painful and result in an abscess if neglected. it is one of the reasons why your teeth hurts.

Fluorosis

Fluorosis is caused by swallowing too much fluoride as a child and manifests as brown or white patches on the enamel of permanent teeth. It doesn’t occur once all of your teeth have come in.

Flossing

As part of a good daily dental hygiene routine, flossing is the process of cleaning in between the contact points of teeth with a thread-like material.

Gingivitis

Gum tissue that is crimson, puffy, and inflammatory and may easily bleed when touched or rubbed. It is the first stage of a process that starts with plaque accumulation in the mouth and could lead to periodontitis and tooth loss owing to the destruction of the tissue that supports and surrounds the teeth if it is not adequately treated.

Gum recession

Exposure of dental roots as a result of periodontal disease, surgery, abrasion, erosion, or gum recession.

Halitosis

The medical term for unpleasant breath is halitosis. While food digestion is a common cause of bad breath, additional factors include dry mouth, poor dental care, and infection.

In addition to having specific ailments, using tobacco or dieting can both contribute to foul breath. Periodontal disease may be indicated by a persistent poor breath or bad taste in the mouth.

Impression

An impression is a shape of your teeth that is typically used to make stone replicas of your teeth.

Incisors

Your front teeth are your incisors. Eight incisor teeth are common, with four in the upper jaw and four in the lower. These aid in biting into your meal and resemble little chisels with pointed edges.

Mouth guard

A mouth guard is a device worn over the teeth that is placed in the mouth to shield them from harm or impact.

Mandible

The lower jaw is made up of a bone known as the mandible. The strongest, biggest, and lowest bone in your face is the lower jaw.

Maxilla

The lower portion of your skull, known as the maxilla, is what creates your upper jaw.

Molars

The back of your mouth’s molars are flat, big teeth. They are generally used for chewing while food is being ground.

maintaining the cleanliness of the teeth and other relevant structures through oral hygiene.

Nitrox Oxide

Nitrous oxide, more popularly known as laughing gas, is an efficient and secure sedative when coupled with oxygen. To help you feel more calm, you inhale it through a tiny mask that fits over your nose. You are not put to sleep by it. The dentist can still be heard and communicated with. Once you remove the mask, the effects will fade.

Occlusal X-rays

X-rays that reveal complete tooth development and positioning are called occlusal X-rays. Each X-ray shows the complete upper or lower jaw’s arch of teeth.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that corrects dental alignment issues by employing braces, retainers, and other dental tools. Learn more about teeth-straightening techniques.

Oral hygiene

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping teeth and related structures clean.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, often known as gum disease, is an inflammation of the bone that supports your teeth. It frequently results from improper brushing and flossing techniques. Although treatable, periodontal disease cannot be cured.

In its latter phases, it may result in tooth loss, unpleasant chewing issues, and bleeding and irritated gums.

Plaque

Plaque is a slippery, sticky coating that forms on your teeth and is made up of millions of germs. If you don’t consistently brush and floss your teeth to eliminate it, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Palate

Tooth wear is brought on by poor brushing, overly rough flossing, or toothpick use. Abrasion can also be brought on by holding things in between the teeth or regularly putting and taking out dental appliances.

Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis is the cleaning of the teeth to avoid tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Restoration

Fillings are known as “restorations” in dental terminology. Fillings restore a tooth with decay-related damage to its normal form and function. The dentist cleans the afflicted region, removes the decayed tooth material, and then fills the cavity with a filling substance to complete the repair.

Saliva

Saliva, often known as “spit,” is a transparent liquid that is continuously produced in the mouth. It significantly contributes to maintaining dental health.

Sealants

Sealants are thin coatings of clear or white resin that are placed on teeth’s biting surfaces to stop tooth decay.

Temporomandibular Joint Pain

The lower jaw, or mandible, and the temporal bone at the base of the skull are connected by a hinge called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Jaw pain or TMJ pain can result from abnormal TMJ function.

Thrush

Thrush is a mouth infection brought on by the fungus Candida.

Transplant

Inserting a normal tooth into the gap left by a missing tooth

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a method of lightening the natural color of your teeth without removing any of the tooth’s surface. It cannot completely change the colour, but it may lighten the present tint.

Underbite

Underbite is a condition in which the lower jaw thrusts forward and the lower jaw and teeth protrude past the upper teeth.

Unerupted tooth

A tooth that has not broken through the gum and positioned itself correctly in the dental arch is said to be unerupted.

Veneer

A tooth-colored plastic or porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made shell that is bonded directly to the front side of natural teeth to improve their appearance. It can be used to fix gaps, straighten teeth, modify color and/or form, or restore lost tooth structure.

Wisdom Teeth

Third (and final) molars, known as wisdom teeth, typically erupt between the ages of 18 and 25.

Xerostomia

Xerostomia refers to a dry mouth or a reduction in salivation. Xerostomia is the clinical name for “dry mouth,” a condition where you don’t have enough saliva to maintain moisture in your mouth. Infections and tooth decay can develop in your mouth when there’s not enough saliva.