Dentistry Dictionary: A Glossary of Terms
Dorset Dental Implant clinic has been correcting and restoring our happy patient’s smiles for half a century. With over 55 years of experience in implantology, our leading dentists have a special interest in their chosen field of restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
“Excellent attention to detail and absolute professionalism around all processes in what was an extremely tricky extraction followed by replacement bridge and tooth elements. I can’t emphasise enough how impressed I was with the whole team around their attitudes and abilities. Highly recommended.” – Alan Hendley
As experts in our field, we want to ensure that our patients fully understand their oral health conditions as well as knowing the correct measures to strengthen their teeth and gums.
Glossary of dental terms:
Here is a complete list of dental terms and meanings, which our dentists often use to describe the treatments and procedures we offer.
Abscess
An infection of the tooth or soft gum tissues that produce pus, which is caused by tooth decay or trauma.
Alveolar bone
The structure of the bone that supports teeth.
Amalgam
Silver coloured liquid material that is made up of mercury and metals, which is used in dentistry to fill cavities created by tooth decay.
Apicoectomy
A surgical method to eliminate the top portion of the root of a tooth. This is to prevent repeated cases of infection typically after a root canal procedure.
Bonding
Referring to the process where synthetic resins or cement is used to rebuild a broken, chipped or cracked tooth. Usually used in cosmetic dentistry, where the overall appearance of a broken tooth is improved.
Brace
A specialist orthodontic method is used to straighten and align crooked, overlapping or gapped teeth. Either fixed or removable braces can be used depending on the case and preferences of the patient.
Bridge
Can be used to replace one or more missing or damaged teeth with a false alternative. Often bridges use real teeth on either side of the gaps to fix the false tooth in place. Bridges can be permanent or removable.
Read more:
Bruxism
The medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism often causes jaw pain, headache and other disorders. It also has a negative impact on your oral health as teeth become worn.
Calculus
Also referred to as tartar, which is tough debris found on the teeth due to the excessive buildup of plaque.
Canine
The pointed, sharp tooth is located in the front of the mouth: two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw.
Caries
The dental term for tooth decay is a cavity found on the surface of the enamel. Often causes by sugary foods, bacteria, acids and plaque.
Cavity
Also known as dental caries. See above.
Crown
A bespoke and customised covering made from porcelain that attaches over the damaged tooth or is used to fix onto a dental implant as a replacement for missing teeth. Which is most suitable for me: an implant or a crown?
Curing light
A unique lamp that emits blue light to set and bond dental materials like composite resin to the exterior of the tooth. It can also be used to tightly secure braces into place.
Decay
Describing the process of deteriorating teeth, which have begun to decay because of bacteria or plaque. Starting on the surface of the tooth, the decay will steadily make its way into the tooth affecting the root leading to root canal infections or abscesses. Why toothache occurs.
Dentin
The middle layer in the tooth is located between the enamel and pulp, which is sensitive to hot and cold food and drink items.
Dry mouth
Medically termed xerostomia, which is caused by the lack of saliva in the mouth causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Dry socket
When you have a tooth extracted a blood clot remains in the socket to encourage healing. However, if this becomes displaced nerves and blood vessels become exposed resulting in a painful ailment.
Enamel
The shielding layer of the exterior of the tooth consists of calcium.
Endodontist
A dentist with a special interest in root canal treatments.
Erosion
When the enamel of a tooth slowly erodes due to repeated exposure to weathering acids often found in sugary foods and fizzy drinks.
Filling
The method used to close a hole (cavity) in the tooth produced by tooth decay or trauma. There are two variations of fillings; amalgam and white composite.
Fluoride
An essential mineral that is added to water and found in toothpaste to safeguard teeth from decay.
General anaesthetic
Medical sedation for patients undergoing surgery and remaining unconscious throughout the procedure.
Gingivitis
The early stages of the more serious periodontal disease or gum disease. Gums appear red, inflamed and bleed when brushing and eating. If left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, which can cause tooth and bone loss. Discover bone regeneration.
Gum disease
Where gums become infected due to a buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria that sit on the teeth and affect the gums. Gum disease can cause bad breath, bleeding gums and advance into a more dangerous condition called periodontal disease. Read more here.
Patients suffering from gum disease are advised to have the problem addressed and treated sooner rather than later. This is because when gum disease advances it can cause serious oral health concerns like tooth loss. Discover the causes of tooth loss here.
Contact our clinic on 01202 97 33 00 to discuss treatment and preventative strategies.
Halitosis
The medical terminology for bad breath can be caused by underlying health concerns, gum disease and tooth decay.
Impacted tooth
Often connected to wisdom teeth, an impacted tooth describes a tooth that has not come through properly or at an angle.
Implant
A strong, titanium screw is placed into the jawbone and acts as an artificial root. Once fused with the bone it behaves like a natural tooth root by holding a crown or bridge in place. It’s a popular solution to replacing missing teeth. How important is it to treat missing teeth?
Our dental implant clinic offers the following types of implants:
Read the benefits of dental implants here.
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Incisor
A type of tooth that is used for biting and chewing. There are a total of four incisors in the upper jaw and a total of four in the lower jaw.
Local anaesthetic
A type of medication that numbs the affected area to provide pain relief for the conscious patient throughout the procedure.
Malocclusion
The dental reference for upper and lower teeth that are misaligned, crooked and bent out of position.
Mandible
The medical term for the bottom jaw.
Maxilla
The medical term for the upper jaw.
Molar
The variety of tooth located in the back of the mouth on both the upper and lower jaws. They are the larger, thicker teeth that are used to grind food.
Oral surgeon
The specialist dentist is assigned to correct mouth abnormalities, damage, disease and injury.
Meet our expert dental staff here.
Orthodontist
The particular dentist specialises in diagnosing and correcting developmental mouth disorders such as misaligned teeth and malocclusion.
Periodontist
A specialist dentist is dedicated to treating and preventing gum disease and the more severe periodontal disease. As they are restorative dentists, they are also equipped to install dental implants. See Gum Disease Reversal & Preventative Treatments.
Periodontitis
The most serious form of gum disease, causes the gums to recede leaving pockets and gaps between teeth leading to teeth becoming loose. As the gums and bones become unstable tooth loss is an eventuality.
Read more:
- Gum Disease & Dental Implants
- Treatment options for gum disease, gingivitis & periodontal disease treatments
- Who is the ideal patient for dental implants?
- Who cannot have implants?
Plaque
The sticky residue builds upon the outer surface of the teeth left behind by food and bacteria. If not removed or cleaned properly, the plaque will eventually harden turning into tartar and causing further tooth decay.
Pulp
The centre part of your tooth consists of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. It reaches down into the roots of your tooth.
Retainer
An orthodontic method is used to keep straightened teeth in the correct position. Often removable, however, the retainer can also be fastened permanent to the inside curve of the mouth.
Root
The part of the tooth that anchors and connects the tooth to the jaw.
Root canal
A groove within the root of the tooth that holds the pulp. The canal can easily become infected due to the bacteria and decay, which can cause the tooth to die if ignored. In this case, root canal treatment is the only option.
Sealant
Often applied to the biting surface of the tooth as an added layer of protection against decay.
Tartar
Where plaque has become hard on the tooth and has a yellow colour. If left untreated, the gum tissue surrounding the area can become infected leading to gingivitis.
Temporomandibular joint
The socket joint attaches the upper and lower jaw together. Operating like a hinge, it allows the jaws to move freely and can be affected by several threatening conditions and disorders.
Tooth whitening
A common procedure in cosmetic dentistry that can use a laser or chemicals to lighten and brighten teeth.
Trench mouth
A harsh gum infection where ulcers appear on the gums causing pain and bad breath.
Veneer
Another form of cosmetic dentistry, veneers are used to enhance and improve the appearance of your smile. Made from a natural coloured shell, often porcelain that is placed onto the surface of a tooth. Usually popular to treat cracked, chipped and discoloured teeth.
Wisdom teeth
A version of molars, which are usually the last teeth to breakthrough. However, not all adults can develop their wisdom teeth. Often, four wisdom teeth erupt during the ages of 18 and 25. Problems associated with wisdom teeth are often when they do not erupt correctly, which is referred to as an impacted wisdom tooth.
Why Choose Us
Our dental implant clinic based in Poole achieves an extremely high success rate. Read our reviews.
Visit our implant clinic for a personal, free consultation, where our leading dentists will be able to answer all your questions and put together a custom treatment plan tailored to your oral needs. Call us today to book an appointment on 01202 973300.
