Our Glossary Of Dental
Terms...
Dental terms can be a
little confusing to the layman. In this glossary, we aim to explain the
meaning of common words and phrases you may hear during your treatment.
Wherever the definition of one word contains another word in the
glossary, there is a link to that word.
Acrylic:
The common name for the material from which most plastic dentures are
constructed (actually polymerised methyl methacrylate, or 'Perspex'®).
Amalgam:
A filling material which is a mixture of silver, tin, mercury and
occasionally copper, which has been in use for over 100 years.
Anterior:
Towards the front of an object, anatomically.
BChD or BDS:
Batchelor of Dental Surgery (the main dental degree). See also DGDP.
Brace: A
fixed or removable metal structure designed to move the teeth slowly
through the bone of the jaw to realign them to form an acceptable
occlusion.
Bridge: A
fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth which is attached to
teeth adjacent to the space being restored. There are several types but
they are all fixed in position and are not removable by the patient.
Bruxism:
The habit of grinding the teeth together, more likely to be carried out
during sleep but some patients do it continually. It causes substantial
tooth wear and muscle pain.
Buccal:
The side of the tooth nearest the cheek.
Calculus:
Calcified material formed by hardened plaque attached firmly to the
tooth and which cannot be removed simply by brushing. Canine: The tooth
immediately to the rear or posterior of the incisors, and to the front
or anterior of the premolar.
Caries:
The dental term for decay.
Cementum:
A hard, calcified layer around the root of the tooth. The periodontal
fibres attach to the bone of the socket and embed into the cementum to
anchor the tooth in place in the socket.
Chrome:
A dental abreviation of cobalt-chromium, the alloy from which most
metal-based dentures are constructed. It is very hard and rigid but can
be cast into very complicated shapes so is ideal for the purpose.
Composite:
A tooth-coloured filling material used to fill cavities in the front
teeth and also as a cosmetic replacement for, or alternative to amalgam
fillings in back teeth. It is made from a mixture of finely ground
quartz particles embedded in in a resin, which is set by strong light.
Crown:
That part of a tooth that is present in the mouth. It is covered with
enamel. The word 'crown' also refers to the artificial replacement for a
tooth which has been destroyed by decay or trauma and which is made from
porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two.
Cyst:
A fluid filled cavity which is present abnormally.
Dental Pulp:
The collective term for nerves, blood vessels and
connective tissues which are contained within the dentine and which
provide a tooth with a nerve supply and nutrition.
Dentine:
The material which makes up the bulk of the tooth. The root is entirely
dentine and where a tooth is visible in the mouth the dentine bulk is
covered by enamel
. Dentine is yellow in colour, relatively soft and decays easily.
Denture:
A partial or total replacement for a tooth or teeth, made normally from
acrylic.
DGDP:
Diploma in General Dental Practice. See also BChD and BDS.
Distal:
The tooth surface farthest away from the front of the dental arch.
Enamel:
The hard translucent covering of the crown of a tooth. It is the hardest
natural substance in the animal kingdom and only diamond and
tungsten-carbide can cut it effectively.
Endodontics:
This describes the treatment of the structures within the tooth root
(i.e. the nerves and blood vessels of the dental pulp).
Epulis: An
abnormal swelling of the gum tissue around the teeth.
Eruption:
The passage of a tooth from the crypt in the bone where it develops and
through the gum into the mouth.
Filling:
The replacement of part of a tooth with a filling material, such as
amalgam or composite, where part of the tooth requires replacing due to
decay or trauma. Fissures: The grooves and depressions on the occlusal
surface of a molar or premolar
, often sealed by the dentist if they are very deep, to prevent decay.
Frenum:
The fleshy muscle attachment which joins the inner surface of the of the
lip to the gum between the teeth.
Gingiva:
Of, or relating to, the gum.
Gingivitis:
A disease of the gums.
Halitosis:
Bad breath.
Incisor:
The teeth at the front or anterior of the dental arch, used to bite, as
opposed to grind food.
Keratosis:
The hardening or thickening of soft tissue in the mouth or on the skin.
Lingual:
Of, or relating to, the tongue. Also refers to the side of the tooth
closest to the tongue.
Lining: An
insulating layer placed into the base of a deep cavity to provide
insulation from thermal stimuli. Normally calcium hydroxide or zinc
oxide cement is used as lining material.
Mandible:
The lower jaw bone.
Maxilla:
The upper jaw bone.
Mesial:
The surface of the tooth nearest the front of the dental arch.
Molar: The
flat-topped teeth to the rear or posterior part of the mouth and used to
grind food. The third molar, if present, is the wisdom tooth.
Occlusal:
This refers to the top, or biting surface of the molar and premolar
teeth.
Occlusion:
This refers to the way in which the teeth meet
when the jaws are closed.
Odontology:
The study of matters relating to the teeth.
Orthodontics:
The study and manipulation of occlusion, when teeth which are
malpositioned or misaligned can be moved into a better alignment by the
use of a fixed or removable brace.
Palate:
The structure in the upper jaw which comprises the hard bone of the
maxilla anteriorly and the softer structures of the soft palate
posteriorly. It also refers to the side of the upper teeth closest to
the palate.
Pericoronitis:
Inflammation and/or infection of the soft tissues overlaying a partially
erupted wisdom tooth.
Periodontal:
Relating to the supporting of the teeth, i.e. the bone, gum, cementum of
the root and the periodontal fibres. Disease of the tissue of this
supporting structure is called 'Periodontitis'.
Plaque:
A natural deposit laid down on the surface of a tooth. It consists of
layers of dead cells, bacteria and a sticky component of saliva called
mucin. The bacteria ferment sugars int the diet to produce acid which
decays teeth and also produces toxins that irritate the gum and cause
gum disease.
Posterior:
Towards the rear of an object, anatomically.
Premolar:
The semi-flat-topped tooth immediately to the front or anterior of the
molar, and behind or to the posterior of the canine tooth.
Root:
That part of the tooth embedded in the bone of the
jaw.
Soft Palate:
The soft tissue structures at the rear of the hard palate, and which are
responsible for speech and swallowing.
Veneer:
Thin laminate of porcelain or composite (with or
without a metal foil reinforcement) which is bonded to the front surface
of a tooth to cosmetically improve its appearance. Unlike a crown, a
veneer needs very little preparation.
Wisdom Tooth:
The common name for the third molar. They are not present in all people
and often appear quite late in life. They often cause problems as they
erupt.