Dental Terminology Flashcards
Maxillary
All upper teeth
Mandibular
All lower teeth
Midline
Goes through the eyes, straight down the nose, and through central incisors
Teeth are numbered
1-16 starting from the upper right, 17-32 start from lower left
Anterior Teeth
Upper 6 Front Teeth
Lower Anterior Teeth
Lower 6 front teeth
Central Incisors
2 Front teeth
Lateral Incisors
2 Teeth next to 2 front teeth
Cuspids
Canine Teeth, located next to Lateral Incisors
Anterior Teeth consist of:
Central Incisors, Lateral Incisors, and Cuspids
BiCuspids
PreMolars/Two teeth near Cuspids/Canine Teeth
Molars
2 or 3 last teeth located in the back
Posterior Teeth consist of:
BiCuspids and Molars
Occlusal
Chewing surface; Top Part of the tooth on the Posterior Teeth
Incisal
Chewing surface; Top part of the Anterior Teeth
Buccal
The face of the tooth; Toward the cheek; Outside of the Upper and Lower Posterior teeth
Facial
Outside of the Lower and Upper Anterior Teeth
Lingual
The surface on the inside; toward the tongue or roof of the mouth;
Mesials
The area of the tooth closest to or facing the midline
Distal
The furthest part way from the midline
Root Apex
The tip of the root
Crown
Anything that’s covered by enamel; The top of the tooth
Root apices
3 apices and 1 apex (tip of the tooth)
Permanent dentition
all Adult teeth
Proximal Surfaces
Medial and Distal Surfaces if they face another tooth
Apical
Spot toward the root
Each tooth consists of:
A crown and one or more roots
Anatomic crown
the portion of the tooth covered with enamel.
Clinical Crown
the portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth.
Root
the portion of the tooth that is normally embedded in the alveolar process and is covered with cementum.
Bifurcation
division into two roots
trifurcation
the division into three roots
Apex
The tapered end of each root tip
Apical
Anything that is located at the apex
Periapical
Anything surrounding the apex
Cervix
The narrow area of the tooth where the crown and the root meet (cervix means neck)
Cementoenamel junction
is formed by the enamel of the crown and the cementum of the root. Also known as the cervical line or the cementoenamel junction
Enamel
Makes up the anatomic crown of the tooth, and is the hardest material of the body; similar to bone in its hardness and mineral content
Enamel Prisms
Also known as enamel rods; What enamel is composed of; Extends from the surface of the tooth to the dentinoenamel junction.
Dentin
Mineralized tissue that is harder than bone and cementum but not as hard as enamel. Makes up the primary portion of the tooth structure and extends almost the entire length of the tooth; color tends to darken as we age
Dentinal Tubules
Microscopic canals that make up dentin; Extend from the exterior surface, where the dentin joins the enamel, then these tubules form a direct passage for invading bacteria into the pulp.
Dentinal Fiber
Transmits pain to the pulp
Pulp
Vascular tissue filling the interior cavity and root canals of a tooth
Coronal Pulp
Portion of the pulp that lies within the crown portion of the tooth; It includes the pulp horns. which are extensions of the pulp that project toward the cusp tips and incisal edges.
Cementum
Not as hard as either enamel or dentin, protects the root of the tooth and joins the enamel at the CEJ; Light yellow shade that is somewhat light than the color of dentin and darker than enamel.
Periodontium
Supports the teeth in the alveola bone and consists of cementum, alveolar bone, and the periodontal ligaments. These tissues also protect and nurish the teeth.
Periodontal ligament
dense connective tissue organized into groups of fiber that connect the cementum covering the root of the tooth with the alveolar bone of the socket wall.
Embrasure
A triangular space near the the gingiva between the proximal surfaces of two adjoining teeth.
Occlusion
the contact between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in all mandibular positions and movements.
Fossae
Indentations or grooves.
cusps
Raised areas
Edentulous
Means without natural teeth and is used to describe the condition where the permanent teeth have been lost.
Primary dentition
Childs teeth that fall out
Permanent dentition
permanent adult teeth
Mixed dentition
When both primary and permanent teeth are in the mouth.
Eruption
The movement of a tooth through the bone and gingival tissue
Exfoliation
The normal process by which primary teeth are shed; During this process the root of the primary teeth is resorbed
Superior
Something that is on a higher level
Inferior
Lower level
Lateral
Side
Anterior
Front
Posterior
Back
Dorsal
Top Surface
Ventral
Below Surface
Innervation
Another term for nerve supply
Mucous membrane
specialized tissue that lines the inside of the mouth
Nasopalatine nerve
passes through the incisive foramen, supplies the tissue palatal to the maxillary anterior teeth.
Foramen
An opening in a bone through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass
Vestibule
Space between the teeth and the inner mucosal lining of the lips and cheeks.
Oral cavity proper
Space on the tongue side within the upper and lower dental arches.
Papillae
tiny projections; inside the papillae are sensory organs and the nerves for both taste and touch.
Dorsum
Consists of the superior (upper) and posterior roughened aspects of the tongue and is covered with small papillae of various shapes and colors.
Frenum
narrow band of tissue that connects two structures.
Salivary glands
produce saliva and lubricates and cleans the oral cavity and helps with digestion
Hard and Soft Palates
Serve as the roof of the mouth, and they separate the mouth from the nasal cavity
lining Mucosa
covers the inside of the cheeks, vestibule, lips, ventral surface of the tongue, and soft palate, is delicate, thin, and easily injured.
masticatory mucosa
covers the gingivae (guns), hard palate, and dorsum of the tongue, is firmly attached to the bone, is very dense, and designed to withstand the vigorous activity of chewing and swallowing food.
gingivae
the tissues that surround the teeth (gums); masticatory mucosa that covers the alveolar processes of the jaws and surrounds the necks of the teeth
