Dental Information System
Dental Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U V W X
A
Abrasion
The wearing away of tooth substance through an abnormal mechanical process, such as tooth grinding, clenching or over-brushing with a hard tootbrush.
Abscess
Localised oral inflammation in the bone , tooth or gum, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Tooth abscesses commonly occur at the end of the root tip and can be the result of decay, trauma or severe gum disease. Symptoms can include pain and/or swelling.
Abutment
Retainer tooth/teeth or implants that are used to support a bridge.
Acrylic
A plastic type material used to make artificial teeth, dentures and other dental (orthodontic) appliances.
Air Abrasion
The use of air and an abrasive (usually tiny particles of sodium bicarbonate or aluminum oxide) blasted in a stream of water to remove tooth structure or surface staining depending upon the particulate stream used.
Alginate
A soft rubber-like compound (derived from seaweed) used to take impressions of patient's teeth and oral structures.
Alveolar Bone
The bone surrounding the roots of teeth.
Alveoloplasty
A procedure used to reshape the remaining alveolar bone in bone-grafting procedures or to prepare for a complete/partial denture.
Amalgam
Most common silver-coloured filling, consisting of a mix of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Amalgam is relatively inexpensive and easy to place.
Analgesia
A state of reduced sensitivity to pain whilst a subject is fully conscious.
Anatomy
The study of the structure of the body and the relationship between its constituient parts (organs, bones, blood vessels, tissues etc).
Anaesthesia
Total/partial loss or absence of feeling produced by disease or by the inhalation/injection of an anaesthetic agent.
Anaesthetic
A medication that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations. Can be applied locally or generally.
Anterior
Pertaining to the front. Central incisors, lateral incisors, canines and premolar Teeth.
Antibiotic
A drug that has the capacity to kill bacteria. Used for the treatment of infections.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
The administration of antibiotics to a patient pre-operatively, to reduce the risk of causing bacterial endocarditis, which can be a life-threatening inflammation of the endocardium, the membrane lining the cavities of the heart.
Antiseptic
A substance that inhibits the growth of germs.
ANUG
Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis, otherwise known as trench mouth or Vincent's disease. It is a bacterial infection and ulceration of the gum tissue between teeth, caused by poor dental hygiene and more commonly found in smokers. Antibiotic therapy or minor surgery may be necessary to treat this condition.
Apex
Pertaining to the tip/end of the tooth root.
Apicectomy
A minor surgical procedure to remove the tip/end of the tooth root to eliminate the source of infection.
Arch
Pertaining to the curved nature of the upper and lower jaws. The two arches in the oral cavity are the maxilla and mandible.
Articulator
A mechanical device that holds models of a patients teeth in the same position as they lie in the mouth so that a dentist can study the bite relationship and jaw movements.
Asepsis
The state of being germ free.
Aspirator
A suction appliance that the dentist places in a patient's mouth to remove saliva, water and dental debris during dental procedures.
Attrition
The wearing away of tooth substance due to activities such as chewing and grinding.
Autoclave
A device used to sterilise instruments or materials.
B
Baby Teeth
A child's first set of teeth that are progressively replaced by permanent teeth. Also known as primary, deciduous or milk teeth. Usually twenty in number.
Base
Part of a denture that is supported by the alveolar ridge and carries the artificial teeth or a lining material applied under a filling to decrease sensitivity to heat or cold by insulating the pulp (tooth nerve).
Bicuspid
(See Premolar)
Biomechanics
Pertaining to the relationship between the forces applied during movement of living tissue, teeth and their related structures.
Bite
How the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed. Aslo known as occlusion.
Bitewing X-rays
X-ray view showing the coronal (above gum line) portion of the upper and lower teeth on the same film.
Bleaching
Pertaining to the whitening of teeth with chemical agents.
Bonding
Pertaining to the adhesion of materials to teeth for such procedures used to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth. The process of attaching brackets (part of braces) to teeth using a dental adhesive for orthodontic treatment.
Bone Loss
Pertaining to the loss of bone that supports the roots of teeth. Bone loss can result from gum disease/infections or occlusal stress. It can also be (rarely) the result of tumorous growths.
Bone Resorption
The gradual loss of bone, following tooth extraction.
Braces
Pertaining to an orthodontic appliance that corrects dental irregularities (over crowding or spacing).
Bridge
Pertaining to a permanent prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth. Bridges span the space between teeth and are secured in place by cementation to abutment teeth or implants adjacent to the space.
Bruxism
The involuntary/subconscious clenching and grinding of teeth, most commonly during sleep.
Buccal
The surface of a tooth that faces and is closest to the inside of the cheek.
C
Calcium
An essential element found in teeth, bones and nerves.
Calculus
Mineralized plaque that forms at the gum/tooth margin, it is also known as tartar. Inadequate oral hygiene is the main reason for calculus formation.
Canal
Pertains to the root canal, which is a duct within the tooth root, containing nerves and blood vessels.
Canine
Commonly a pointed tooth located between the incisors and the first premolar. The third tooth from the middle of the jaw otherwise known as the eye tooth.
Canker Sore
A type of mouth ulcer often caused by viral infection. Usually self limiting and resolve within fourteen days.
Cantilever Bridge
A fixed bridge that attaches to only one tooth, adjacent to a tooth space.
Cap
A common term for a crown restoration.
Caries
Tooth decay by the progressive breakdown and dissolution of the tooth structure by acid. This is produced by bacteria when they digest dietary sugars.
Cast
Pertaining to a plaster model of teeth.
Cavitron
A dental impliment that uses ultrasonic (high-frequency sound waves) to clean teeth.
Cavity
Tooth decay leading to a hole in a tooth.
Cellulitis
Commonly caused by the infection of a wound by various bacteria. An inflammation of the deeper layers of the skin (subcutaneous) and sometimes muscle, which can be as a result of abscess formation. Symptoms include fever, swelling, redness and pain.
Cement
Pertaining to adhesive materials used to hold crowns, bridges and certain appliances in place.
Cementation
The process of "gluing" the appliance/prosthesis in-situ.
Cementum
The calcified surface layer that covers a tooth root.
Central Incisors
Two front teeth at the midline in both the upper and lower dental arches.
Cephalometric X-Rays
An X-ray view from the lateral aspect of the head that allows the dentist to study the alignment of the teeth, jaws and associated skeletal structures. Used primarily by orthodontists to diagnose and plan treatment
Chlorhexidine
An anti-microbial agent available as oral rinses and oral gels. It can be an effective agent in controlling gum disease.
Clasp
Pertaining to a specific component that is used to hold a removable dental prosthesis in place (partial dentures or removable orthodontic appliances).
Clenching
When the upper and lower teeth are forceably held together.
Cold sore
Herpes simplex infection resulting in an ulcer or blister on the lip.
Composite Filling
A tooth-colored filling material.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental treatment that is solely applied to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth.
Cross-bite
When the normal bite relationship between upper and lower teeth is reversed. This can be uni/bi lateral and can also occur in the front teeth. The lower teeth/tooth align toward the cheek/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.
Crown
Pertaining to a type of restoration that covers all of a decayed/damaged or heavily filled tooth. Crowns are usually made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both and are used when a tooth cannot be restored with a filling. Also a term for the portion of the tooth above the gum level covered by enamel.
Crown Lengthening
A surgical procedure used to expose more tooth surface commonly achieved by cutting away any associated gum from around a tooth.
Curettage
Pertaining to a procedure that entails the scraping of the gums or other diseased tissue (bone) to remove bacteria and any associated infected tissue.
Cuspids
(see canines)
Cusps
Pertaining to the high points on the biting or chewing surfaces of the canines, premolars or molars.
Cyst
An encased infection consisting of fluid or semi-solid material.