Dental Terminology Flashcards
Abrasion
Wear to the teeth from an external source
Alveolus
The cavity or socket in the jawbone that surrounds and supports the root
Anterior crossbite
An orthodontic condition in which canine, premolar, and molar occlusion is normal but one or more mandibular incisors are anterior to the maxillary incisors
Apex
Terminal portion of the root
Apical
Towards the apex
Attrition
Tooth to tooth wear
Avulsion
The separation of the tooth from its alveolus
Buccal
Surface of the tooth nearest the cheek ( posterior teeth)
Calculus
Hard, mineralized plaque on the tooth surface
Canine tooth
Large, single-root tooth designed for tearing and grasping
Caries
A demineralization and loss of tooth structure due to action of micro-organisms on carbohydrates
Cementum
Bony layer covering the root surface
Coronal
Towards the crown
Crown
The portion of the tooth covered with enamel
Deciduous teeth
Teeth of the primary dentition “baby teeth”
Distal
Away from the midline in the dental arches
Enamel
The hard, shiny outer layer of the crown
Endodontics
The diagnosis and treatment of diseases inside the tooth that affect the tooth pulp and apical periodontal tissues.
Epithelial attachment
Tissue attaching the gingiva to the tooth
Exodontics
Branch of dentistry that deals with extraction of teeth
Facet
A flattened or worn spot on the surface of a tooth
Gingiva
Soft tissue surrounding teeth
Gingival hyperplasia
A pathological increase in the normal amount gingival tissue in a normal arrangement
Gingival sulcus
The normal space created by the free gingiva and the tooth
Halitosis
Unpleasant breath
Incisal
Biting surface of anterior teeth
Incisor
Small anterior tooth with a single root
Interdental
The area between the proximal surfacesof adjacent teeth in the same arch
Labial
Surface of the tooth nearest the lips (anterior teeth)
Lingual
Surface of the tooth nearest the tongue
Luxation
The displacement or partial displacement of a tooth from its’ alveolus
Mandible
The bone that forms the lower jaw
Maxilla
The bone that forms most of the upper jaw
Mental foramen
Openings in the mandible through which nerves and vessels pass
Mesial
Toward the midline of the dental arch
Molar
Large, multicusp teeth designed for grinding
Occlusal
The chewing surfaces of the caudal teeth
Odontoblast
The cells in the pulp that produce dentin
Oronasal fistula
An abnormal opening between the oral and nasal cavity
Orthodontics
Branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention and correction of irregularities of the teeth and malocclusion
Palatal
Surface of the roof of the mouth towards the hard palate
Palate
The structure that separates the oral and nasal cavities
Periapical abscess ( or apical abscess)
An abscess at the apex of the root, involving the pulp and surrounding apical tissues
Periodontal pocket
Pathologic increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus with loss of epithelial and periodontal ligament attachments
Periodontal abscess
An abscess involving the periodontium
Periodontal ligament
A network of fibers connecting the tooth to the bone
Periodontics
Branch of dentistry that deals with the study and treatment of periodontal diseases
Periodontium
The supporting structures of the teeth including the periodontal ligament, gingiva, cementum, and alveolar supporting bone
Premolar
The teeth distal to the canine and mesial to the molars with one to three roots
Plaque
A thin film covering the teeth, composed of bacteria, saliva, food particles, and sloughed epithelial cells
Primary teeth
The first teeth to erupt they are replaced by adult teeth
Pulp
Soft tissue component of the tooth consisting of blood and lymphatic vessels
Pulp chamber
Portion of the crown containing the pulp
Pulpitis
Inflammation of the pulp
Pyorrhea
A discharge of pus from the periodontium
Resorption
The loss of substance by a physiologic or pathologic process
Root canal
Portion of the root containing the pulp
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth
Sublingual
The structures and surfaces beneath the tongue
Supernumerary teeth
Teeth in excess of the normal number of individual teeth
Vertical bone loss
Bone loss at an acute angle to the root surface, forming an infrabony pocket.
