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anterior
toward the midline or in the front of the mouth. the teeth from the canines forward. situated near the front, includes 12 teeth (6 maxillary and 6 mandibular)
apex (apical)
pointer end of a cone-shaped part (like an ice cream cone) or the terminal end of the root of a tooth. apical is a directional germ that indicates a direction toward the apex or end of the root of a tooth
arch
a structure of bow-like or curved outline (the side view of santa’s tummy) often used to indicate the top of the jaw. you might hear someone say “the bottom arch” and they would be referring to the mandible or bottom jaw
biofilm
the surface film that contains microorganisms and other biological substances
buccal
pertaining to or directed toward the cheek, often used to designate the side of the tooth that faces the cheek. the tooth surface that is toward the cheek or face
calcus
also called tartar. a mineralized, hard deposit derived from plaque biofilm and salivary mineral salts. forms on tooth and root surfaces and oral appliances. hard, mineral deposits that form on the teeth, what is removed during the scaling process
caries
commonly known as cavities or tooth decay
cementum
the tissue covering the root of the tooth
cementoenamel junction (CEJ)
the line where the enamel and the cementum of the tooth join
concave
rounded and somewhat depressed or hollowed out, think of a cave as being a hollowed-out part of a hillside
convex
having a rounded, somewhat elevated surface (the hill itself)
coronal
toward the crown or top of a tooth, rather than toward the root (apical)
crown
the portion of the tooth that is covered in enamel, this is the portion of the tooth we see in the oral cavity
deciduous teeth
the first set of teeth, also known as primary teeth
dentifrice
toothpaste
dentin
the tissue of the tooth between the pulp and the enamel and the pulp and the cementum; the majority of the tooth
dentition
the teeth in the dental arches -- top and bottom
distal
away from the middle; often used to describe the side of a particular tooth that is closest to the posterior or back of the mouth
dorsal
the top surface
edema
swelling
edentulous
lacking teeth, can be area specific or the whole mouth
enamel
the hard, outer surface layer of teeth. protects against tooth decay. is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body, even stronger than a bone. covers the crown of the tooth
eruption
teeth coming through the gingiva
erythema
redness of tissue, usually a sign of inflammation
exfoliation
the loss of teeth, primary teeth exfoliate as the permanent teeth erupt
expectorate
to spit
extraction
the removal of a tooth or root fragment
facial
of or toward the face, used to designate the side of the tooth that is facing away from the tongue side. buccal and labial are both facial surfaces. the surface toward the cheek, face, or lips
fissure
natural groove in the tooth
gingiva
the part of the oral masticatory mucosa that surrounds the necks of the teeth and is attached to the teeth and the alveolar bone. known as the gums
gingival margin
the edge of the gingiva that touches the tooth. is usually right at the crown of the tooth
gingival recession
sometime due to disease processes or aggressive brushing. the gingiva recedes from the crown of the tooth and portions of the root can be seen
gingivitis
an inflammation of the gingiva usually due to retention of plaque/biofilm in the area caused by poor oral hygiene
incisal
toward the cutting edge of anterior teeth
incisors
anterior teeth. the 2 large front teeth (central incisors) and the tooth on either side (lateral incisors). there are 8 incisors, 4 maxillary and 4 mandibular
inferior
below or lower than a specified point of refernece
inflammation
the body’s immune response to harmful stimuli. the signs of inflammation are pain, swelling, redness, and heat in the tissue
interproximal
the area between two adjacent teeth
labial
of or toward the lips, used most often to designate the side of the tooth facing the lips, so the term would refer to an anterior tooth
lingual
of or toward the tongue, to identify the surface of a tooth that faces the tongue
mandible
bottom jaw that is able to move
mandibular teeth
the bottom teeth
marginal gingiva
the border or edge of gingiva nearest the incisal/occlusal surface, marks opening of ginigval sulcus; also called free gingiva
maxilla
top jaw that does NOT move
maxillary teeth
top teeth
mesial
toward the middle; often used to describe the side of a particular tooth that is closest to the anterior or front of the mouth
midline
the imaginary line that goes vertically down the middle of the face between the two central incisors
occlusal
toward the chewing surface of the posterior teeth
occlusion
the way the teeth fit together when both arches come together (occlude)
periodontal disease
an oral disease that causes inflammation and bone loss around the teeth
can be a single tooth, several teeth, or through-out the oral cavity
oral bacteria and genetics play a strong role in this disease development and progression
periodotium
the surrounding and supporting structures of the teeth
posterior
directed toward or situated at the back; opposite of anterior
quadrants
the mouth is divided into 4; upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left
root
the lower portion of the tooth which is typically not visible when looking in the oral cavity
subgingival
below the gingival margin
superior
above or higher than a specified point of reference
supragingival
above the gingival margin
ventral
toward the bottom surface; the underside of the tongue is known as the ventral surface
alb, albus, leuk
white
chlor
green
cyan
blue
eryth
red
melan
black
xanth
yellow