Introduction to Dental Terminology

A set of practice flashcards covering Level One and Level Two dental terms, the dental specialties, and basic oral anatomy based on the lecture notes.

Dentition

Refers to all of the natural teeth in their normal positions in the mouth.

Primary Dentition

Consists of $20$ teeth that begin to erupt at about age $6$ months and should be functional by age $2$ years.

Permanent Dentition

Consists of $32$ teeth designed to last a lifetime, usually all in position by age $18-21$ years.

Mixed Dentition

The stage from approximately age $6$ to age $13$ where the child has some primary teeth and some erupted permanent teeth.

Eruption

The movement of the tooth into its normal functional working position in the mouth.

Maxillary Arch

The dental arch formed by teeth in the maxilla; it is a fixed portion of the skull.

Mandibular Arch

The movable dental arch formed by teeth in the mandible, hinged at the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).

Occlusion

The relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when they meet in normal contact.

Malocclusion

Any irregularities in the positioning and/or relationship of the teeth; literally translates to "bad occlusion."

Midline

An imaginary line drawn through the middle of the face and head that divides each arch into two identical halves.

Quadrants

The four divisions of the dental arches: Maxillary Right (Q1), Maxillary Left (Q2), Mandibular Left (Q3), and Mandibular Right (Q4).

Crown

The part of the tooth covered with enamel that is normally visible in the mouth.

Cervical (Cervix)

The neck of the tooth; the narrow area where the enamel of the crown joins the cementum of the root.

Root

The part of the tooth covered with cementum that helps hold the tooth in its bony socket.

Apex

The tip of the root of the tooth.

Apical Foramen

An opening at the tip of each root through which the nerve and blood supply enter and leave the tooth.

Apicoectomy

The surgical removal of the apical portion of the tooth root.

Periapical

The area surrounding the apex or tip of the root.

Periapical Abscess

A localized collection of pus around the tip of the root, usually caused by the death of the dental pulp.

Mesial

The proximal surface of a tooth that is toward the midline.

Distal

The proximal surface of a tooth that is away from the midline.

Facial

The surfaces of the teeth which are toward either the lip or the cheek.

Labial

The surface of the crown of an anterior tooth which is toward the lips.

Buccal

The surface of the crown of a posterior tooth which is toward the cheek.

Lingual

The surfaces of the teeth which are toward the tongue.

Occlusal

The broad chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth.

Incisal Edge

The sharp biting and cutting edge of anterior teeth.

Anterior Teeth

The incisors and canines located in the front of the mouth; they have four surfaces and an incisal edge.

Posterior Teeth

The premolars and molars located toward the back of the mouth; they have five surfaces.

Incisors

Anterior teeth with a thin, sharp cutting edge used for biting; there are two per quadrant (Central and Lateral).

Canine

A heavy pointed anterior tooth designed to cut and tear; there is one per quadrant.

Premolars

Permanent posterior teeth with pointed cusps for tearing and broad surfaces for grinding; there are two per quadrant and none in primary dentition.

Molars

Posterior teeth with broad working surfaces for grinding; maxillary molars have $3$ roots and mandibular molars have $2$ roots.

Enamel

The hardest material in the human body; it covers the crown and protects the dentin.

Cementum

The hard, bone-like covering of the root that provides attachment for the periodontal ligament.

Dentin

The substance that makes up the bulk of the tooth; it is protected by enamel and cementum and forms the pulp chamber.

Pulp

The soft, living tissue of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves within the pulp chamber and root canals.

Pulpitis

Inflammation of the dental pulp.

Pulpotomy

The partial removal of the dental pulp, usually performed on children.

Pulpectomy

The complete surgical removal of the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals; commonly called a root canal.

Alveolar Ridge

The bony ridge of each jaw that supports the teeth in their working positions.

Alveolar Socket

The space (alveolis) within the alveolar ridge in which the tooth sits.

Alveolectomy

The surgical reshaping or removal of the alveolar ridge.

Periodontal Ligament

Fibers that support and suspend the tooth within the bony socket, attaching cementum to bone and absorbing chewing shocks.

Periodontal Disease

Pathologies that affect the tissues surrounding and supporting the tooth.

Oral Mucosa

The specialized mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth.

Gingiva

Specialized oral mucosa (commonly called gums) that covers alveolar bone and surrounds teeth.

Gingival Sulcus

The space between the tooth and the free gingiva; a healthy depth is $1-3$ millimeters.

Free Gingiva

The unattached cuff-like part of the gingiva that surrounds the tooth above the cervical line.

Attached Gingiva

Gingival tissue firmly attached to the alveolar bone extending from the base of the sulcus to the mucogingival junction.

Periodontal Pocket

A diseased gingival sulcus that has become deeper than $3\,mm$.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva confined to the free margins, often representing the beginning stages of periodontal disease.

Gingivectomy

The surgical removal of diseased gingival tissue.

Hard Palate

The bony anterior portion of the roof of the mouth covered with tough oral mucosa.

Rugae

The wrinkle-like folds of oral mucosa felt on the hard palate just behind the anterior teeth.

Soft Palate

The movable posterior tissue portion of the roof of the mouth that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing.

Uvula

The small fleshy mass hanging from the back of the soft palate.

Gag Reflex

A protective mechanism in the soft palate area that prevents foreign objects from going down the throat.

Cleft Palate

A congenital condition where the parts of the palate do not join together properly during prenatal development.

Salivary Glands

The three pairs of glands that produce saliva: Parotid, Submandibular, and Sublingual.

Dorsum of the Tongue

The top side of the tongue, which is covered with rough protective mucosa and contains taste buds.

Lingual Frenum

The band of tissue passing from under the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Labial Frenum

The band of tissue passing from the inside of the lip to a point midway between the central incisors.

Frenectomy

The surgical cutting or loosening of a frenum.

Dental Public Health

The specialty concerned with preventing dental disease and promoting health through community efforts.

Endodontics

The specialty concerned with the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

The specialty dealing with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

The specialty concerned with the production and interpretation of images used for diagnosing oral and maxillofacial diseases.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The specialty involving the surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

The specialty focused on the diagnosis and correction of malocclusion and neuromuscular or skeletal abnormalities.

Pediatric Dentistry

The age-defined specialty providing oral health care for infants and children through adolescence.

Periodontics

The specialty encompassing the treatment of diseases affecting the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Prosthodontics

The specialty pertaining to the restoration of oral function and appearance using biocompatible substitutes for missing or deficient teeth.