Dental Terminology
Dental Terminology
Dental Terminology
Introduction to Dentistry
and
Dental Terminology
Find out some dental terminologies and their explanations . You may use keywords/
clues (support with the relevant image).
1.Dental specialties
2.Tooth anatomy (include tooth numbering /naming)
3.Dental Health problems / diseases (caries, tartar, gingivities, etc)
4.Treatments (restoration, crown, etc)
Dental Public Health (DPH) is a science and art of preventing and controlling dental
diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts.
Dental public health is para-clinical specialty of dentistry that deals with the
prevention of oral disease and promotion of oral health, and also involved in the
assessment of key dental health needs and coming up with effective solutions to
improve the dental health of populations rather than individuals.
Known as : (1) organized community efforts, (2) prevention of oral disease and
promotion of oral health
• Dental Anesthesiologist
Dental anesthesiologist is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the advanced use
of general anesthesia, sedation and pain management to facilitate dental
procedures.
Known as : (1) root canals, (2) concerning dental pulp and tissues, (3) restoration
• Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the examination and management
of dental health in children to provide primary and comprehensive preventive and
therapeutic oral health care for children. Pediatric dentists treat a broad range of
diseases in infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health care
needs, and are experts in providing care to make their patients feel comfortable.
• Periodontics Dentistry
A dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease
and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are familiar with the latest
techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.
Orthodontists use fixed and removable dental devices, like braces, retainers, and bands, to
change the position of teeth in the mouth. They treat dental abnormalities.
Known as : (1) Bite problems, (2) brace, (3) Jaw misalignment, (4) change the position of
teeth
• Prosthodontics Dentistry
The dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and
maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical
conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues
using biocompatible substitutes
Specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and
interpretation of radiographic images, including CT and MRI scans that are used for the
diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the mouth, face and
jaws
• Enamel
Enamel is a protective layer that covers each and every tooth. It is a hard substance
on the outer part of your teeth and is seen every time you look into your mouth.
Enamel is considered the hardest substance in the human body, even harder
than bones.
• Dentin
That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum. Dentin or dentine is a
layer of material that lies immediately underneath the enamel of the tooth and it
is also sensitivity to pain, pressure, and temperature. It is harder than bone but
softer than enamel and consists mainly of apatite crystals of calcium and
phosphate.
Dental pulp is the center part of a tooth comprised of connective tissue, blood vessels, and
cells. The primary function of dental pulp is providing vitality to the tooth
• Cementum
Dental cementum is a living tissue that continues to grow throughout life. It is the calcified
material that covers the outside of the tooth root, and provides the attachment site for
the periodontal ligaments which hold the tooth to the alveolar bone within the socket.
• Ligamentum Periodontal
The periodontal ligament is only found between the tooth root and adjacent bone and does
not support the outer gum tissues. The complex nature of the PDL tissue allows the
tooth to properly function during chewing and to withstand the pressure from grinding
or clenching..
Known as : (1) surrounding alveolar bone, (2) not attached to the tooth
3. Dental Health problems /Diseases
• Caries
Tooth decay (dental caries) is damage to a tooth that can happen when decay-
causing bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth’s surface, or
enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity. If tooth decay is
not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
Periodontitis, also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the
soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your
teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis
is common but largely preventable. It's usually the result of poor oral hygiene.
• Dental erosion
Dental erosion is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack. Enamel is the hard,
protective coating of the tooth, which protects the sensitive dentine underneath. When
the enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed, which may lead to pain
and sensitivity.
• Xerostomia
Xerostomia is the feeling of having a persistent and unusually dry mouth. Xerostomia is
caused by reduced or insufficient saliva production by the salivary glands found in and
around the mouth and throat.
Known as : (1) insufficient saliva production, (2) burning or tingling sensation on the tongue
• Impacted Tooth
An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not break through the gum. An impacted tooth
remains stuck in gum tissue or bone for various reasons. The area may be overcrowded,
leaving no room for the teeth to emerge.
Known as : (1) fails to erupt, (2) teeth aren't able to grow in properly on their own
• Dental erosion
Dental erosion is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack. Enamel is the hard,
protective coating of the tooth, which protects the sensitive dentine underneath. When
the enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed, which may lead to pain
and sensitivity.
• Abration
Dental abrasion refers to the loss of tooth structure by mechanical forces from a foreign
object. Abrasion is the abnormal wear of a tooth. It is usually caused by a toothpaste that
is too abrasive or gritty or by aggressive brushing with a hard bristled brush.
• Bonding
• Sealant
Dental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing
surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. A sealed tooth is far
less likely to develop a cavity, which can require more expensive dental
treatment later.
Scaling is a common dental procedure for patients with gum disease. This is a type of dental
cleaning that reaches below the gumline to remove plaque buildup. The process of
scaling and root planing the teeth is often referred to as a deep cleaning.
Known as : (1) tooth's cleaning, (2) remove the plaque and tartar
• Veneer
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are attached to the front surface of teeth
to improve their appearance. They’re often made from porcelain or resin-composite
materials and are permanently bonded.
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to treat infection at the centre of a tooth.
Root canal treatment is not painful and can save a tooth that might otherwise have to be
removed completely.
Known as : (1) treat the pulp, (2) therapy, (3) drilling a tooth's hole
• Extraction
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. A tooth extraction is
the permanent removal of a tooth from its socket and may be done manually using
forceps or surgically. Extraction is recommended when the tooth cannot be saved with
other treatments such as root canal treatment and to prevent infection from spreading
to other areas of your mouth.
• Bridge
A dental bridge permanently replaces missing teeth with false teeth. The bridge is attached
to the teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges are usually made of porcelain or metal
“Root Canals”
Oral Pathology
• Known for:
• “Extraction of Wisdom Teeth”
• “Reconstruction of Facial Regions”
Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics
• Known as:
“Children’s Dentist”
Periodontics
Teeth Dentition
Person with teeth Dentate
Person without teeth Edentulous
Baby teeth Deciduous (primary)
Gums Gingiva
Gums of person ridges
without teeth
Basic Dental Terminology
Cavity Caries
Filling Restoration
Shot Local Anesthesia
Bite Occlusion
Teeth cleaning Oral prophylaxis (prophy)
Tooth Anatomy
root
crown
Tooth Anatomy
Cementum
Cemental
enamel junction
(CEJ)
Enamel
Tooth Anatomy
Enamel
Dentin
Pulp
Cementum
Anatomy of Teeth and Surrounding
Tissues
Enamel
•Makes up the anatomic crown of the tooth.
•Is translucent (allows light to pass through it) and ranges in color
from yellow-white to gray-white.
• Dentin is harder than bone and cementum, but not as hard as enamel.
•
Palate
Vermilion Zone
Tooth Numbering
• 32 adult teeth total
• There are 20 teeth in the primary dentition, all teeth are eventually exfoliated
during the eruption of the permanent dentition.
• There are no premolars in the primary dentition. However when erupted the
premolars replace the existence of the primary first and second molars.
1st premolar
2nd premolar
1st molar
2nd molar
3rd molar
Incisors
•Incisors are single rooted with
a sharp thin edge.
•8 in total dentition (4 in
maxillary arch, 4 in mandibular
arch.
Canines
•Designed for the cutting and tearing of foods that require
the application of force.
4. Mesial 5. Distal
2. Palatal
Distal Mesial
Cusp:
•Mamelon:
•A rounded or conical prominence
on the incisal ridge of a newly
erupted incisor. They are usually
three in number, and soon
disappear as a result of wear.
Contours
• Occlusion is the contact between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in all
mandibular positions and movements.
Occlusion
• Centric Occlusion
• Occurs when the jaws are closed in a position that produces maximal stable contact
between the occluding surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth.
• Malocclusion
Missing Teeth
Missing Tooth Structure
(Esthetic Imperfections)
Direct Restorations
(Fillings placed directly in the mouth)
Bonded Restorations
Adhesives
Composites
Polishers
Fixed vs Removable Restorations
An inlay is a conservative
restoration that is designed to fit
into a preparation that is within
the tooth.
It does involve replacement of
one or more cusps.
•Material options:
•All metal
•All ceramic
•Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
•
Bridge (Fixed Partial Dental Prosthesis/ FPDP)
Metal (PFM)
• Pressed
• CAD/CAM
Partial Denture
Denture
teeth
Denture
Base Resin
Complete Denture