Dental Dictionary

The hard and soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth.

An X-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.

A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces one or more missing teeth.

A specialized branch of dentistry that deals solely with treating children's dental disease. Also referred to as pedodontics.

The treatment of children's teeth.

An X-ray that shows the whole tooth (above and below the gum line), including the apex of the root. Also known as PA.

An inflammation of the gum tissue around the crown of a tooth.

A diagnostic procedure that measures the depth of periodontal pockets, the degree that the gums have detached from the side of the tooth due to periodontal disease.

Relating to the tissue and bone that supports the teeth.

The inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone, and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main forms of periodontal disease. Also called gum disease or pyorrhea.

A pocket that forms when the gums detach from the side of the tooth. It is caused when disease and infection destroy the ligament that attaches the gum to the tooth and the underlying bone.

A surgical procedure involving the gums and jaw bone.

The branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the supporting bone, ligaments and surrounding tissues (gums) of the teeth.

A specialist who treats the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.

Inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth, including the gum, the periodontal ligament, and the jaw bone. This advanced gum disease can cause bone loss that will result in tooth loss if untreated.

The area that surrounds the root of the tooth.

The thirty-two adult teeth that replace the baby (primary teeth). Also known as secondary teeth or the permanent teeth.

The thirty-two adult teeth that replace the baby (primary teeth). Also known as secondary teeth or the permanent dentition.

A recessed area found on the surface of a tooth, usually where the grooves of the tooth meet.

A sticky film containing saliva and bacteria that attaches to the tooth surface above and below the gum line. If it is not removed by daily brushing and flossing and regular professional care, it causes tooth decay and gum disease.

The part of a bridge that replaces the missing teeth (a false tooth).

A porcelain cap that covers the crown of the tooth to repair it or change its shape and/or color.

A thin layer of porcelain that adheres to a surface of a tooth to repair it or change its color and/or shape.

A thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy to provide retention for a "core" or buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure.

A post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure.

A single structure that combines a post-core and crown.

An adjective used to describe things pertaining to the back of the mouth or the back teeth.

The bicuspids and molars. These are the teeth in the back of the mouth.

One of eight bicuspid teeth located in pairs on each side of the upper and lower jaws behind the canines and in front of the molars.

A child's first set of twenty teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. Also known as deciduous or baby teeth.

Short for prophylaxis.

Teeth cleaning; the scaling and polishing of the crowns of the teeth to remove calculus, plaque, and stains. This procedure helps to prevent disease.

The dental specialty that involves design, construction, and fitting of crowns, fixed bridges, partial dentures and complete dentures to replace missing teeth or restore oral structures.

A dentist who specializes in the restoration of teeth and replacement of missing teeth with bridges and dentures.

Refers to the surfaces of teeth that touch the next tooth. The space between adjacent teeth is the interproximal space.

The soft inner structure of a tooth, consisting of its nerve and blood vessels

The very inner part of a tooth containing nerve cells and blood vessels. Also known as the pulp canal.

The removal of the pulp from the canals in the root of the tooth.

Inflammation of the pulp. It is a common cause of toothaches.

The removal of a portion of the tooth's pulp.

The inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main forms of periodontal disease. Also called gum disease or periodontal disease.