Mouth

Oral health definitions for non-dentists

  • Amalgam - Silver-colored filling material; may also be referred to as a restoration or filling.
  • Bitewings - X-rays of the top and bottom molars and pre-molars to show decay between teeth or under fillings.
  • Bridge - A non-removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth with false teeth and attaches to healthy teeth.
  • Calculus (Tartar) - Hardened plaque on teeth, requiring scaling to remove.
  • Caries - Cavities and decay.
  • Complete Mouth Survey - (CMS) Multiple X-rays taken of the entire dental structure. For an adult, approximately 16-21 films.
  • Composite - A tooth colored filling material; also referred to as a filling.
  • Cosmetic Dentistry - Beautifying teeth and smile through bleaching, bonding, closing spaces, and improving appearance of teeth.
  • Crown - A gold or porcelain cap that covers a tooth
  • Edentulous - Having no teeth.
  • Endodontics - Department/process providing root canal treatment for teeth with diseased pulp.
  • Gingiva - Gums.
  • Gingivitis - Inflammation of the gum tissue; common reversible gum disease that occurs when plaque is not removed.
  • Impacted - Describes a tooth not visible above the gum line.
  • Implant - An artificial tooth substitute, surgically implanted in the bone.
  • Inlays - A gold, porcelain or composite filling placed within the cusps of the tooth.
  • Occlusal - The chewing or grinding surface of a tooth.
  • Onlays - Porcelain or gold restorations covering at least one cusp of the tooth.
  • Operative Dentistry - Department providing fillings, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry.
  • Oral Pathology - Study of diseases and pain of mouth and jaw.
  • Oral Surgery - Department where extractions of teeth are performed as well as general surgical procedures in the jaws, and lower facial area.
  • Orthodontics - Department providing bands (braces) for straightening teeth.
  • Partial - (RPD; Removable partial denture) Removable replacement for missing teeth that rests on the gums with clasps that attach to remaining teeth.
  • Pediatric Dentistry - Department providing dentistry for children under the age of 16.
  • Periodontics - Department providing treatment for gum disease and resulting bone loss.
  • Plaque - Soft deposits of bacteria and debris that collect on teeth.
  • Pocket - Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth where bacteria can enter, causing gum disease.
  • Preventive Dentistry - Teeth cleaning and instruction to prevent gum disease.
  • Prophylaxis - Prophy; a basic teeth cleaning.
  • Prosthesis - A cemented or removable replacement for missing teeth.
  • Prosthodontics - Department where crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures are made.
  • Pulpitis - An infection of the nerve inside a tooth.
  • Pulpotomy - Removal of only the pulp tissue in the crown of the tooth, an endodontic procedure.
  • Radiographs - X-rays.
  • Recall - Appointment for a patient who is returning for maintenance or follow up care.
  • Restoration - Filling used to restore the tooth.
  • Root Canal Therapy - (RCT, endodontic therapy) Removal of the nerve inside a tooth and subsequent filling of this space.
  • Scaling and Root Planing - Cleaning teeth to remove calculus and plaque above and below the gum line.
  • Third Molars (wisdom teeth) - The last teeth to come into the mouth.
  • Treatment Plan - A list of procedures and related costs recommended to treat patient’s dental needs.
  • Veneer - A porcelain facing placed on an anterior tooth.
 
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