Basic Dental Terminology

Skull

divided into two sections, the cranium and the face

Frontal Bone

forms the forehead, part of the floor of the cranium and most of the root of the orbits

Parietal Bone

Forms most of the roof of the upper sides of the cranium

Temporal Bones

forms the sides and the base of the cranium - each temporal bone encloses the ear and contains the bony passage of the outer ear

Occipital Bone

forms the back of the base of the skull

Sphenoid Bone

forms the anterior part of the base of the skull

Maxilla

upper jaw that consists of two maxillary bones

Zygomatic Process

creates the prominence of the cheek

Ethmoid

forms part if the floor of the cranium, orbit and nasal cavity

Nasal Bones

join the bridge of the nose

Mastoid Process

projection of the temporal bone located just behind the ear

Mandible

forms the lower jaw and is the movable bone in the skull

Mental Protuberance

known as the chin

Ala

winglike tip of the outer side of the nostril

Philtrum

rectangular area from under the nose to the midline of the upper lip

Labii or Labia

the gateway to the oral cavity also known as the lips

Labial Commissure

The angle at the cross of the mouth where the upper and lower lip meet

Vermilion Border

darker-colored border around the lips

Tragus

Cartilaginous projection anterior to the external opening of the ear

Apicoectomy

the surgical removal of the apical portion of the tooth through a surgical opening made in the bone and gingival tissues. It is usually performed if RCT has failed and to control infection. Surgical opening is filed with amalgam

Indirect Pulp Cap

used for deep caries when there is a danger of exposing the pulp if all the carries are removed

Direct Pulp Cap

used to treat a pulp that has been minutely exposed during a procedure while preparing a tooth

Adhere

to stick or glue two items together

Alloy

mixture of two or more metals

Amalgam

mixture of alloys with MERCURY

Auto-cured

material hardens as a result of a chemical reaction of the material being mixed together

Ceramic

hard, brittle, heat resistant material such as clay; a type of material similar to the used in dishes of pottery

Cured

reserved, or finished by a chemical or physical process

Esthetic

artistically pleasing and beautiful appearance

Galvanic

electrical current that takes place when two different metals come together

Gold

soft yellow corrosive resistant metal used in making indirect restorations

Light Cured

material does not harden until it has been exposed to a curing light

Microleakage

microscopic leakage (bacteria) at the interface of the tooth structure and the sealant or restoration

Porcelain

hard, white, translucent ceramic made by firing then glazing

Restorative

able to restore or bring back natural appearance

Retention

ability to retain or hold something on place

Radiopaque

the portion of a radiograph that is white or light. The whiter it is the lighter it will be. ( eg - teeth, fillings, crowns)

Radiolucent

the portion of the radiograph that is dark or black (eg - pulp, cysts, abscesses, caries)

Periapical Radiograph (PA)

used to examine the entire tooth (crown to root) and supporting bone. Able to see the whole tooth. Used for seeing abscesses.

Bite-wing Radiograph (BW)

used to observe the inter proximal surfaces of the teeth. Includes the CROWNS of the mandibular and maxillary teeth. Used to see quads 2 & 3. Used to see inter-proximal decay and bone loss.

Panorex Radiograph (Pan)

a panoramic film shows a wide view of the upper and lower jaws on a single film. Used for checking wisdom, missing and extra teeth.

Cephalometric film Radiograph (Ceph)

shows the bones of the face and skull as well as the soft tissue of the face. Used for orthodontic, soft tissue profile and outside the mouth.

Autoclave

instrument for sterilization by means of moist heat under pressure

Ultrasonic Cleaner

instrument that loosens and removes debris bu sound waves traveling through liquid. It does NOT disinfect or sterilize

Biologic Monitor

the weekly monitoring using biologic indicators in each sterilizer

Use-life

duration of the germicidal solution is effective after it is prepared for use

Bioburden

any visible organic debris (eg - blood, saliva and other body fluids)

Broad-spectrum activity

capable of killing a wide variety of microbes

Sterilize

the process where ALL forms of life are completely destroyed. This includes all microorganisms; bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacterial spores. (Eg - autoclave, chemical vapor sterilization and dry heat sterilization)

Disinfect

the process where SOME forms of microorganisms are destroyed. it does not destroy spores and resistant viruses.

Sanitize

the process that cleans and destroys FEW microorganisms

WHMIS

Workplace Hazards Materials Information System

Distal

farthest from the midline

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Surgical procedures on the mouth including extractions, removal of cysts and tumours and repair of fractured jaws.

Tuberosity

The most distal aspect of the maxilla

Root Canal Therapy

process of removing pulp of a tooth and filling ir with an inert material.

Apical Foramen

The natural opening at the end of the root.

PFM

Procelain fused to metal crown - restoration with metal coping (for strength) covered by porcelain (for appearance).

Porcelain inlay or only

tooth-cloured restoration made of porcelain, cemeted or bonded in place

Pulpectomy

complete removal of the pulp (commonly done in children's teeth)

Retromolar Pad

pad of tissue behind the last molar on the mandible.

palate

hard and soft tissue forming the roof of the mouth

Broad-spectrum activity

capable of killing a wide variety of microbes

Bioburden

any visible organic debris, blood saliva and other body fluids

Unerupted tooth

a tooth that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the dental arch

Periapical

(PA) region at the end of the roots of teeth

fissure

deep grooves or pits

quadrant

1/2 of one dental arch

bicuspid

posterior tooth with two cusps for tearing and chewing

mandible

Forms the lower jaw and is the movable bone of the skull. Capable of movement through the Temporomandibular Joint.

Facial

adjacent to the lips and cheeks

mucosa

lining of the oral cavity

pulp

the inner aspects of the dentin form the boundaries of the pulp chamber. Made up of blood vessels, and nerves that enter the the pulp chamber through the apical foramen. Receives and transmits stimuli.

Post and Core

post to buildup and replace lost tooth structure and retain crown

post

thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after RCT; provides retention for a "coping" that replaces a lost tooth structure and retains crown.

midline

an imaginary line running through the "flattened out" arches, dividing the mouth into left and right arches- directly through the centrals

Porcelain Veneer

a thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory and bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighting teeth or change colour and/or shape

lingual

towards the tongue

plaque

soft, sticky white substance that accumulates on teeth; composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene

Interproximal

denoting the area between two teeth

Incisal

biting surface of the two front teeth

inlay

a cast or porcelain restoration involving the occlusal surface and one or more proxmal surfaces.

Onlay

cast or porcelain restoration tht includes the occulsal table, both proximal and some or all of the cusp surfaces to avoid future fracture. has less tooth sensitivity with onlays and with last longer than amalgam or composite fillings.

oral pathologist

dentist specializing in oral diseses

pontic

The part of a fixed bridge that is suspended between abutments and replaces a missing tooth; a fixed appliance

Sealants

thin resin matierial bonded in the pits and fissures of thee for the prevention of decay

Tartar

common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth; produces rough surfaces taht attracts plaque

Root

tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw

Cementum

bone like covering of the root

Denturist

A lab tech who works directly with patients to fabricate dentures

Endodontics

Specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of dental pulp

prosthodontist

dental specialist skilled in restoring or replacing teeth with fixed or removable prosthesis (appliance), maintaining proper occlusion; treats facial deformities with artificial prostheses such as eyes, ears, and noses

aveolar process

bone surronding the teeth

prothesis

an artificial body part

dentition

natural teeth of the dental arch

enamel

hard covering of the crown of the tooth the hardest tissue of the body

alveolar bone

The bone that supports the tooth in its position within the jaw.

prophylaxis

Procedure of scaling and polishing teeth to prevent disease

periodontist

dental specialist treating the gums and supporting soft and hard tissues retaining natural teeth and the surgical placement of dental implants

pulpotomy

partial removal of the pulp tissue