General Dentistry Terminology

Common Dental Procedures

• Amalgam Filling: A silver-colored filling used to repair cavities.
• Bonding: A procedure to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth using a tooth-colored resin material.
• Bridge: A dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth.
• Composite Filling: A tooth-colored filling used to repair cavities.
• Crown: A cap that covers the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength.
• Dentures: Removable replacements for missing teeth.
• Extraction: The removal of a tooth.
• Filling: A material used to fill a cavity in a tooth.
• Fluoride Treatment: Applying fluoride to teeth to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
• Inlay/Onlay: A custom-made filling that is cemented onto a tooth.
• Root Canal: A procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.
• Dental Implants: Titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
• Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning procedure to treat gum disease.
• Sealant: A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
• Teeth Whitening: A procedure to lighten the color of teeth.
• Veneer: A thin shell that is bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.

Dental Specialties

• Dental Hygienist: A licensed professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and patient education.
• Endodontics: The treatment of diseases of the dental pulp (root canals).
• Oral Surgeon: Performs surgical procedures in the mouth, including tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement.
• Orthodontics: The alignment of teeth and jaws.
• Pediatric Dentistry: Focuses on the oral health of children.
• Periodontics: The treatment of gum disease.
• Prosthodontics: The replacement of missing teeth with artificial restorations (e.g., dentures, bridges, implants).

Common Dental Terms

• Abscess: A collection of pus caused by an infection.
• Bitewing X-ray: An X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth in a specific area.
• Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
• Calculus (Tartar): Hardened plaque.
• Caries: The technical term for tooth decay.
• Cavity: A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
• Cementum: The layer of tissue that covers the root of a tooth.
• Dentin: The layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
• Enamel: The hard, outer layer of the tooth.
• Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums.
• Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth or jaws.
• Occlusion: The way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
• Panoramic X-ray: An X-ray that shows the entire mouth.
• Periapical X-ray: An X-ray that shows the entire tooth, from crown to root.
• Periodontal Disease: Gum disease.
• Plaque: A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
• Pulp: The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
• Restoration: A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth.