Dental anatomy definitions

Alveolar Bone

the bone of the maxillae or mandible that surrounds and supports the teeth

Alveolus

lines the tooth hole and holds the tooth roots

Anterior

along or toward the front of the dental arch

Apical Foramen

main opening at the apex of a root for entry and exit of pulp tissue

Arch

The arrangement of the teeth in the form of a curve

Buccal

facing the cheek; the back of the back teeth

Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ)

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

Cementdentinal Junction (CDJ)

the junction of the cementum and the dentin

Cementum

material covering the tooth root

Crown

Clinical crown is the visible part of the tooth, anatomical crown is covered by enamel

Dentin

the portion of the tooth underlying the enamel and cementum and surrounding the pulp cavity

Dentinoenamel Junction (DEJ)

the junction of the dentin and the enamel

Distal

away from the midline

Enamel

hard, outermost layer of a tooth

Facial

Relating to the face; refers to the labial and buccal surfaces that contact facial areas

Gingiva

Oral mucosa that covers the alveolar processes of the jaws and surrounds the necks of the teeth

Incisal

The cutting or tearing surface of anterior teeth

Labial

Toward the lips

Lingual

towards the tongue

Mandibular

relating to the mandible or lower jaw

Maxillary

relating to the maxilla or upper jaw

Mesial

towards the midline of the arch

Midline

A line down the center of the body, dividing into right and left quadrants

Occlusal

the grinding, crushing, and chewing surface of posterior teeth

Periodontal Membrane (Ligament

fiber bundles that surround the roots of a tooth and connects the cementum with the alveolar bone

Periodontium

structures that surround and support the teeth include the gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament

Posterior

back portion of the mouth

Pulp

The tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth

Pulp Cavity

the space or void that houses the entire dental pulp

Pulp Chamber

that portion of the pulp cavity that is housed in the coronal section of a tooth

Pulp Canal (root canal)

Part of the pulp cavity extending from the pulp chamber to the root apex

Quadrant

half of the maxillary or mandibular arch, when divided by the midline

Root

that portion of a tooth covered by cementum and embedded in a bony socket called the alveolus

Root Apex

Furthest point of the root of a tooth

Vestibule

The oral cavity bounded on one side by teeth, gingiva, and alveolar, and laterally by lips and cheeks