DAT 118- Ch. 15 Dental Care Vocab

anterior

Forward, toward the front of the mouth and the midline.

apical

Toward the root of the tooth; apex of the tooth.

bifurcated

Single tooth with two roots.

buccal

The surface that is facing the cheeks in the back of the mouth.

cementum

The tissue covering the root of the tooth.

cementoenamel junction (CEJ)

The line where the enamel and the cementum of the tooth join.

cingulum

A small bump near the cervical third of an anterior tooth on the lingual side.

crown

The portion of the tooth above the gumline starting at the cementoenamel junction.

cusp

The top portion of the tooth; the tip or point.

deciduous teeth

The first set of teeth, also known as primary teeth.

dentin

The tissue of the tooth between the pulp and the enamel and cementum; the majority of the tooth.

dentition

A set of teeth.

dentoenamel junction (DEJ)

The junction where the enamel meets the dentin.

distal

Surface of the tooth away from the midline of the face.

dorsal

The top surface.

embrasure

The space between the teeth that begins at the contact area and widens down toward the gingiva. The interproximal gingival (interdental papillae) usually fills this space.

enamel

The tissue covering the crown of the tooth; the hardest substance in the body.

epithelial attachment

At the base of the sulcus where the epithelial tissue is attached to the tooth.

facial

Toward the lips or cheeks. In the back of the mouth the term buccal may be utilized, and in the front of the mouth the term labial may be utilized.

fissure

A natural groove in the tooth.

fossa

A shallow depression in the tooth.

furcation

In multi-rooted teeth, the area where the roots divide.

gingiva

The tissue that surrounds the teeth; also known as gums.

groove

A depression in the tooth that is narrow and linear.

incisal

Toward the cutting edge of the anterior teeth. This is the end opposite the apex of the tooth.

interdental

Space between two adjacent teeth.

interproximal

Between the adjacent surfaces of two teeth.

keratinized

Firm stippled texture, such as the tissue of the attached gingiva.

labial

Facial side; typically used in reference to anterior teeth.

lateral

Sides.

lingual

Toward the tongue.

mandibular

Referring to the lower jaw.

maxillary

Referring to the upper jaw.

mesial

Surface of the tooth facing toward the midline of the face.

midline

An imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

mucogingival junction

An area where the mucosa meets the attached gingiva.

mucosa

The soft tissue that is non-keratinized and covers the cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft palate, alveolar processes and other structures.

occlusal

The chewing surface of the posterior (back) teeth.

occlusion

A term used to define how the upper and lower teeth meet when closing the jaws.

palate

Roof of the mouth. It is divided into two parts: the hard palate and the soft palate.

papillae

A small projection of tissue; often nipple-like.

periapical

Around the apex of the tooth.

periodontal ligaments

A thin series of fibers that connect the tooth to the bone.

periodontium

The surrounding and supporting structures of the teeth.

posterior

Toward the back of the mouth, behind.

pulp

The inner most part of the tooth that contains the blood vessels and nerves.

quadrant

The mouth is divided into 4 quadrants; 2 in the maxillary and 2 in the mandibular.

ridge

A rounded, elevated, linear area on the enamel of the tooth. There are 5 types of ridges on the teeth: marginal, triangular, oblique, transverse and cingula.

succedaneous

The permanent teeth that replace the 20 primary teeth.

sulcus

The area formed by the free gingiva (non attached) lying next to the tooth. It is a trough area and can also be known as the gingiva crevice.

ventral

Toward the bottom surface; the underside of the tongue is known as the ventral surface.