Abutment Teeth
Teeth, roots, or implants used for the retention of a fixed or removable prosthesis.
amalgam
an alloy of mercury with another metal (usually silver) used by dentists to fill cavities in teeth
anatomical chart
Chart used to record dental conditions via an anatomical representation of the teeth in the dental arches.
anterior teeth
teeth towards the front
apex
area at the end of the tooth root
bridge
fixed prosthetic
buccal
surfaces of posterior teeth that face the cheek
cast crowns
Cast restoration that covers the anatomical crown.
central incisors
anterior teeth (toward the front) characterized by thin, sharp incisal edges, which aid in cutting food
crown
uppermost portion of tooth covered in enamel.
cusp
pointed or rounded eminence on the surface of a tooth
dental arch
upper or lower anatomic structure of the mouth
dental caries
progressive disease that demineralizes enamel, enters the dentin, and quickly reaches the pulp of the tooth
dental prophylaxis
Removal of stains and hard deposits from teeth.
dentin
bulk of the tooth main portion
diastema
gap created between the two front teeth when the maxillary labial frenum is too thick or wide
distal
Away from the midline
enamel
hard covering of the crown of the tooth the hardest tissue of the body
endodontics
Procedure that removes diseased pulpal tissue.
facial
relating to the front of the head which consists of 14 bones
fluoride treatments
Treatments to strengthen enamel and protect teeth from devoping carious lesions.
frenum
strip of tissue that connects two structures
gag reflex
contraction of the constrictor muscles of the pharynx in response to tast or touch
geometric chart
Method in which circles are used to represent teeth and are divided into sections that represent the surfaces of teeth.
incisal
sharp cutting edge of anterior teeth (incisors and cuspids)
inlay
partial coverage of a tooth usually the same surfaces as amalgam restorations.
interproximal
space created by two proximal surfaces
labial
surface of a tooth is that is closest to the lips
lateral incisors
Anterior teeth characterized by thin, sharp incisal edges that aid in cutting food.
lingual
Towards the tongue or the inside of the mouth
malocclusion
teeth that are out of alignment or occlusion
mandibular arch
the lower jaw
mastication
chew food; grinding food with teeth
maxillary arch
upper teeth or jaw
mesial
Towards the midline
mixed dentition
primary and permanent teeth are present
occlusal
Chewing surface of posterior teeth
occlusion
relationship between the maxillary arch and the mandibular arch and the way they meet or touch.
onlay
partial coverage of a tooth the same as an inlay with more tooth surface.
panographic x-ray unit
machine that takes extraoral (outside the mouth) radiographic films
permanent dentition
consists of 32 teeth that are designed to last a lifetime
pontic
Artificial tooth on a fixed bridge
porcelain fused to metal
Gold-cast crown with a porcelain cover (tooth colored).
posterior
a tooth situated at the back of the mouth
primary dentition
consists of 20 teeth that are normally lost during childhood and are replaced by the permanent teeth
proximal
surfaces that are adjacent or next to other surfaces of teeth.
quadrants
four sections of the dental arches.
removable partial
removable prosthesis
resin
tooth colored restorative material
restorative dentistry
process through which a dentist removes caries from the tooth
root
anatomical portion of a tooth located in the alveolar process
root canal
procedure that replaces diseased pulp
sealants
Procedure that covers the chewing surfaces of teeth with a thin coat of resin. The purpose of this coating treatment is to seal and protect the tooth from the effects of acid attacks, which cause demineralization of enamel and lead to carious lesions.
simple extractions
Removal of one or more teeth without the need to remove bone or cut tissue.
surfaces of the tooth
Sections into which each tooth is divided. Each surface has a name that is used by the dental professional to describe the exact location of tooth decay, restorations, and other conditions.
surgical extractions
procedures that include the cutting of tissue and the removal of bone to facilitate the removal of a tooth
universal numbering system
identification of the teeth bu number the permanent teeth 1-32 and lettering the primary teeth A-T.
veneer crown
Thin coverage on the fasial surface made only with a cast composite or resin material.