Dental Dictionary

An element taken in through the diet that is essential for healthy teeth, bones and nerves.

A hard deposit of mineralized plaque that forms on the crown and/or root of the tooth. Also referred to as tartar. Calculus ranges from yellow to brown and forms on teeth when oral hygiene is improper or incomplete and plaque is allowed to harden.

The narrow chamber inside the root of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels.

See Cuspid

A type of benign mouth ulcer often caused by viral infection or vitamin deficiency. Canker sores generally last 10-14 days.

A fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth on only one side.

A common term for a crown restoration that usually refers to a crown for a front tooth.

Another name for cavities or tooth decay. It is the progressive breaking down or dissolving of tooth structure, caused by the acid produced when bacteria digest sugars.

A dental tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to clean teeth.

A carious lesion in a tooth.

An acute inflammation of the deep subcutaneous (below the skin) tissues and sometimes muscle, which can be associated with abscess formation. Symptoms include fever, swelling, redness and pain. It is usually caused by the infection of a wound by various bacteria. This condition is especially dangerous for children.

A special type of adhesive used to hold crowns, permanent bridges and certain appliances in place.

A thin layer of calcified tissue that has the hardness of bone and covers the root surface of a tooth.

The two teeth at the midline in both the upper and lower arches.

An X-ray of the head that allows the dentist to study the alignment of the teeth, jaws and jaw joints. Used primarily by orthodontists to diagnose and plan treatment.

A device that is used to hold a removable partial denture in place.

The forceful holding together of the upper and lower teeth.

A tooth-colored filling material that combines a resin with quality particles.

Any dental treatment or repair that is solely rendered to improve the appearance of the teeth or mouth.

The portion of the tooth covered by enamel. Also a type of restoration that covers all or most of a decayed or damaged tooth. Restorative crowns are usually made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both and are used when a tooth cannot be restored with a filling.

A surgical procedure used to expose more tooth for restorative purposes.

A procedure that entails the scraping of the gums or other diseased tissue to remove bacteria and infected gum tissue.

Used for biting and tearing, they are large single-cusped (pointed) teeth, located between the incisors and bicuspids. Also known as canine teeth or eye teeth.

The high points on the biting or chewing surfaces of the cuspids, bicuspids or molars.

A closed sac, usually containing fluid or semi-solid material, that develops abnormally as the result of an infection.