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Dental dictionary
On this page you can find the meaning of all the words that you may not understand. If you have clicked on a word and the link brought you here it means you can find this particular word here.
Alveolar bone: The alveolar process is the thickened ridge of bone that contains the tooth
sockets on bones that bear teeth. It is also referred to as the alveolar
bone. In humans, the tooth-bearing bones are the maxilla and the
Amalgam: a commonly used dental restorative material for dental fillings which has
been used for over 150 years. It contains a mixture of mercury with at
least one other metal. Amalgam has been the restoration of choice for
many years due to its advantages over other restorative materials, such
as low cost, ease of application, strength, durability, and bacteriostatic
effects. Factors which have led to recent decline in use are partly due to
a lingering, but controversial concern about the detrimental health effect
of the mercury content. Furthermore the metallic colour does not blend
very well with tooth structure and there are cosmetic concerns,
especially when used on front teeth which can be addressed using
alternative dental materials. Research into relatively new alternative
materials which possess better aesthetic properties, and which attempt
to bridge the gap of amalgams history of superior strength and longevity
continues to decrease their viability. There are also environmental
concerns about mercury emissions from waste amalgam and cremation of
deceased individuals. We do not recommend nor use this material
because of health concerns.
Calculus: (also called tartar) refers to calcified deposits on the teeth, formed by the
continuous presence of dental plaque. Its rough surface provides an ideal
medium for further plaque formation, threatening the health of the
gingiva. Calculus absorbs unaesthetic stains far more easily than natural
teeth. Calculus accumulations occur in the absence of adequate oral care.
Once formed, it is generally too firmly adherent to teeth to be removed
with anything available to an individual at home; patients with calculus
must therefore visit their dental professionals so that the calculus can be
removed with ultrasonic tools and specialized sharp instruments.
Caries: Caries is a progressive destruction of the teeth. Dental caries affects
different parts of the teeth (enamel, dentin, or cementum) in the crown or
the root of the tooth. Nearly all cases contain bacteria such as
streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus, which produces lactic acid as the
products responsible for the caries.
Cementum: is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth. Cementum
is excreted by cells called cementoblasts within the root of the tooth and
is thickest at the root apex. Its coloration is yellowish and it is softer than
enamel and dentine due to being less mineralized. Cementen's main role
is to anchor the tooth by attaching it via the periodontal ligaments. It also
plays an important role in forming new teeth. Hence, its bottom surface is
tangent to the periodontal ligaments running through the jaw (via
collagen fibers), and the upper portion of the surface is firmly cemented to
the dentin of the tooth.
Composite resin: Dental composites, also called white fillings, are a group of restorative
materials used in dentistry. As with other composite materials, a dental
composite typically consists of a resin-based matrix, such as a bisphenol
A-glycidyl methacrylate BISMA resin like urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA),
and an inorganic filler such as silicon dioxide silica.
Compositions vary widely, with proprietary mixes of resins forming the
matrix, as well as engineered filler glasses and glass ceramics. The filler
gives the composite wear resistance and translucency. A coupling agent
such as silane is used to enhance the bond between these two
components. An initiator package begins the polymerization reaction of
the resins when external energy (light/heat etc.) is applied. A catalyst
package can control its speed.
Curettes: Periodontal curettes are dental instruments used primarily in the
prophylactic and periodontal care of human teeth. The working tips come
in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are rounded at the tip, so as to
make subgingival cleansing less traumatic to the gingiva. Scalers possess
a sharp tip to access supragingival calculus in tight embrasure spaces,
thus making the curette the choice instrument for subgingival areas of
calculus accumulation.
Cusp: is an occlusal or incisal eminence on a tooth. Canine teeth, otherwise
known as cuspids, each possess a single cusp, while premolars,
otherwise known as bicuspids, possess two each. Molars normally
possess either four or five cusps. See photo:
Dental composites: also called white fillings, used in direct fillings. Crowns and in-lays can
also be made in the laboratory from dental composites. These materials
are similar to those used in direct fillings and are tooth coloured. Their
strength and durability is not as high as porcelain or metal restorations
and they are more prone to wear and discolouration.
Dental plaque: a biofilm (usually colorless) that builds up on the teeth. If not removed
regularly, it can lead to dental cavities (caries) or periodontal problems
(such as gingivitis). The microorganisms present in dental plaque are all
naturally present in the oral cavity, and are normally harmless. However,
failure to remove plaque by regular tooth brushing means that they are
allowed to build up in a thick layer. Those microorganisms nearest the
tooth surface convert to anaerobic respiration; it is in this state that they
start to produce acids.
Acids released from dental plaque lead to demineralization of the adjacent tooth
surface, and consequently to dental caries. Saliva is also unable to penetrate the
build-up of plaque and thus cannot act to neutralize the acid produced by the
bacteria and remineralize the tooth surface. They also cause irritation of the gums
around the teeth that could lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Plaque build up can also become mineralized and form calculus (tartar).
Dental pulp: the part in the center of a tooth made up of living soft tissue and cells
called odontoblasts.
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Dental restorative materials: specially fabricated materials, designed for use as dental resorations
(fillings), which are used to restore tooth structure loss, usually resulting
from but not limited to dental caries (dental cavities).
Dentine: Dentine is a calcified tissue of the body, and along with enamel,
cementum and pulp is one of the four major components of teeth. Usually,
it is covered by enamel on the crown and cementum on the root and
surrounds the entire pulp. By weight, seventy percent of dentin consists
of the mineral hydroxylapatite, twenty percent is organic material and ten
percent is water. Yellow in appearance, it greatly affects the color of a
tooth due to the translucency of enamel. Dentin, which is less mineralized
and less brittle than enamel, is necessary for the support of enamel.
Edema: formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of
fluid beneath the skin, or in one or more cavities of the body.
Generally, the amount of interstitial fluid is determined by the balance of
fluid homeostasis, and increased secretion of fluid into the interstitium or
impaired removal of this fluid may cause edema.
Enamel: tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the
body, and with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major
tissues which make up the tooth. It is the normally visible dental tissue of
a tooth and must be supported by underlying dentin. Ninety-six percent of
enamel consists of mineral, with water and organic material composing the
rest. The normal color of enamel varies from light yellow to grayish white.
At the edges of teeth where there is no dentin underlying the enamel, the
color sometimes has a slightly blue tone. Since enamel is semitranslucent,
the color of dentin and any restorative dental material underneath the
enamel strongly affects the appearance of a tooth. Enamel varies in
thickness over the surface of the tooth and is often thickest at the cusp.
Forceps: Forceps are a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects.
Forceps are used when fingers are too large to grasp small objects or when many
objects need to be held at one time while the hands are used to perform a task.
The term forceps is used almost exclusively within the medical field. Outside
medicine, people usually refer to forceps as tweezers, tongs, pliers, clips or
clamps.
Gingiva: Gingiva are part of the soft tissue lining of the mouth. They surround the
teeth and provide a seal around them. Compared with the soft tissue
linings of the lips and cheeks, most of the gingiva are tightly bound to the
underlying bone and are designed to resist the friction of food passing
over them. Healthy gingiva is usually coral pink, but may contain
physiologic pigmentation. Changes in color, particularly increased redness,
together with edema and an increased tendency to bleed, suggest an
inflammation that is possibly due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque.
Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums around the teeth is a general term for gingival
diseases affecting the gingiva (gums). As generally used, the term
gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms (also
called plaque) adherent to tooth surfaces.
Glass Ionomer Cement: specially fabricated materials, designed for use as dental restorations
(fillings), which are used to restore tooth structure loss, usually resulting
from but not limited to dental caries (dental cavities). a dental restorative
material used in dentistry for filling teeth and luting cements.
Morphology: The term morphology in dentistry refers to the outward appearance
(shape, structure, colour, pattern) of the teeth.
Osteoblast: An osteoblast (from the Greek words for "bone" and "germ" or
embryonic) is a mononucleate cell that is responsible for bone
formation.
Osseointegration: direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of
a load-bearing artificial implant, typically made of titanium. It is a property
virtually unique to titanium and hydroxylapatite, and has enhanced the science of
medical bone, and joint replacement techniques.
Periodontal curettes: dental instruments used primarily in the prophylactic and periodontal care
of human teeth. The working tips come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
but they are rounded at the tip, so as to make subgingival cleansing less
traumatic to the gingiva. Scalers possess a sharp tip to access
supragingival calculus in tight embrasure spaces, thus making the curette
the choice instrument for subgingival areas of calculus accumulation.
Periodontal ligament: commonly abbreviated as the PDL is a group of specialized connective
tissue fibers that essentially attach a tooth to the alveolar bone within
which it sits. These fibers help the tooth withstand the naturally
substantial compressive forces which occur during chewing and remain
embedded in the bone.
Another function of the PDL is to serve as a source of proprioception, or
sensory innervation, so that the brain can detect the forces being placed
on the teeth and react accordingly. To achieve this end, there are pressure
sensitive receptors within the PDL which allow the brain to discern the
amount of force being placed on a tooth during chewing, for example. This
is important because the exposed surface of the tooth, called enamel, has
no such sensory receptors itself.
In addition to the PDL fibers, there is another set of fibers, known as the
gingival fibers, which attach the teeth to their adjacent gingival tissue.
Both the gingival fibers, as well as the PDL fibers, are composed primarily
of type I collagen.
Periodontal scalers: dental instruments used primarily in the prophylactic and periodontal care
of human teeth. The working ends come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
but they are always narrow at the tip, so as to allow for access to narrow
embrasure spaces between teeth. They differ from periodontal curettes,
which possess a blunt tip.
Periodontium: refers to the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth,
maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes
from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odons, meaning
"tooth." Literally taken, it means that which is "around the tooth".
Periodontics is the dental specialty that relates specifically to the care and
maintenance of these tissues.
Porcelain: Dental porcelain (also known as dental ceramic) is a porcelain used by a
dental technician to create biocompatible lifelike crowns and bridges for
the dentist. Evidence suggests they are effective, although for three-unit
molars only zirconia-based restorations are recommended. The dentist will
usually specify a shade of porcelain, corresponding to a set of bottles in
the lab containing the porcelain powder. A common shade system used is
the Vita guide. The powder corresponding to the dentine base is mixed
with water, and then fired. Further layers are built up to mimic the natural
translucency of the enamel of the tooth. Often the porcelain is fused to a
semi-precious metal or precious metal such as gold, for extra strength.
Many new systems use an aluminium oxide or zirconium oxide or zirconia
core.
Temporomandibular joint
disorder: an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the
temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The disorder
and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.
Topical: a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous
membranes. In dentistry, a topical medication may also mean one that
is applied to the surface of teeth.