Terms

What is the alveolar crest?

The highest part of the alveolar bone that surrounds and supports the teeth.

What is an alveolar socket?

The bony hole (socket) in the jaw where the root of a tooth sits.

What do ameloblasts do?

Cells that produce enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, during tooth development.

What is an anatomical crown?

The entire portion of the tooth covered by enamel, whether it is visible or hidden beneath the gums.

What is the apex of a tooth?

The tip or end of a tooth root.

What is the apical foramen?

A small opening at the tip (apex) of the root where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave the tooth.

What do cementoblasts produce?

Cells that produce cementum, the tissue covering the tooth root.

What is cementum?

A hard, bone-like tissue that covers the root of the tooth and helps anchor it to the jaw.

What is the clinical crown of a tooth?

The part of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. It can change if the gums recede or cover more of the tooth.

What is coronal pulp?

The portion of the pulp located inside the crown of the tooth.

What is dentin?

The hard tissue beneath the enamel and cementum that makes up most of the tooth.

What are dentinal tubules?

Tiny microscopic channels within dentin that contain fluid and transmit sensations like pain and temperature.

What is exfoliation?

The natural process of primary (baby) teeth falling out so permanent teeth can erupt.

What is lamina dura?

The dense layer of bone lining the tooth socket, seen as a white line on a dental X-ray.

What does mandibular refer to?

Relating to the mandible, or lower jaw.

What is mixed dentition?

The stage when a person has both primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.

What is the function of odontoblasts?

Cells that produce dentin and line the outer surface of the pulp.

What do osteoblasts do?

Bone-forming cells that build new bone.

What is the periodontium?

The supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingiva (gums), periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone.

What is the pulp chamber?

The hollow space inside the crown of the tooth that contains the dental pulp.

What is resorption in dentistry?

The process of breaking down and removing hard tissue. In baby teeth, the roots are resorbed so the teeth can fall out naturally.

What is the periosteum?

A tough membrane covering the outer surface of bones that contains blood vessels, nerves, and cells involved in bone growth and repair.