FreeSmile Dental Glossary: Dentistry is characterized by many medical terms that the patient or a non-expert in the sector, usually does not come into contact. In our Dental Glossary we explain the most important dental terms from technical topics, treatments, methods to talking about dental diseases. This dental glossary will help you better understand the services of our dental centers, or simply inform you about individual dental terms.
A
Abscess: it’s an accumulation of bacteria, plasma, white blood cells and cellular debris (pus), confined in the tissues surrounding the tooth such as the gum, jaw bone or tooth pulp.
Abutment: The filed tooth onto which the crown is cemented.
Amalgam: gray in color, material used to fill the tooth.
Apicectomy: surgical removal of the root apex of a tooth and surrounding soft tissues affected by pathological conditions.
Arches: dental arches are divided into upper and lower.
Atrophy: vertical decrease or horizontal narrowing of the bone.
Avulsion: tooth extraction.
B
Bruxism: also known as teeth grinding.
C
Canker sores: they are inflammatory ulcers in the oral mucosa, quite common on the palate, tongue or cheeks.
Capsule: also called crown, it is the visible part of the tooth.
Caries: in dentistry the term caries indicates the process of cavitation of a tooth.
Composite: material used for white fillings.
D
Dental:
Abrasion: wear of the chewing surfaces of the teeth caused by friction generated by rubbing.
Collar: it is the border point where the crown ends and the roots begin.
Cysts: formations that affect a tooth or its supporting tissues.
Floss: tool for cleaning the interdental spaces
Granuloma: inflammation of the tissues surrounding the apex of the tooth root.
Implant: it’s a medical device made of titanium or zirconia that is inserted inside the jaw bones to replace a lost tooth.
Inlay: is a prosthetic device made to partially reconstruct a tooth that has lost part of its coronal structure due to decay or fracture.
Root: part of the tooth located inside the gingiva.
Veneer: ceramic element inserted in the front part of a central tooth.
Dentin: it’s a tissue found beneath the enamel that makes up the crown and roots of the teeth, surrounding the dental pulp.
Denture: mobile resin prosthesis, which is applied in cases of missing teeth.
E
Edentulism: lack of teeth.
Enclosed teeth: they are teeth without the possibility of erupting naturally.
Endodontic: material used to devitalize the tooth.
Endodontics: devitalization of the tooth.
Endodontus: inner part of the tooth.
Erosion: refers to a loss of enamel through physical or chemical processes
Eugenol: it is a chemical substance derived from phenol.
Extrusion: an unusual and excessive eruption of a tooth.
F
Frenulectomy: the hypopositioning or surgical removal of a frenulum.
Frenulum: the filament composed of muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane, which connects the cheeks, lips and tongue to the dental mucosa.
Fistula: opening in the gum tissue through which an as drains.
Fixed prosthesis: replaces natural dental elements with definitive and stable artifacts.
G
Gingiva: the soft tissue surrounding the teeth.
Gingival abscess: develops directly in the gum due to infectious process.
Gingivitis: bleeding and inflamed gum.
Gingivectomy: is the term for a dental procedure in which the gum surrounding a tooth is partially removed.
Gingivoplasty: surgical treatment to bring the gums back to normal shape and function.
Gnathology: study of chewing.
H
Handpiece: an instrument, a drill used by the dentist.
I
Implantologist: dentist specializing in dental implantology.
Implantology: is a branch of dentistry that deals with the reinsertion or replacement of missing or irremediably compromised teeth. A titanium screw is inserted into the maxillary or mandibular bone, which integrates into the bone to become a real artificial root. The dental implant is a screw into which a titanium stump is screwed, onto which the prosthesis which will replace the natural tooth will then be fixed.
Incision: surgical procedure in which soft tissue is cut.
Incisor teeth: these are the central teeth.
Interdental: the area between consecutive neighboring teeth, this space can be more or less wide depending on the position and shape of the teeth.
Interdental space: distance, the gap between two teeth.
M
Milk teeth: teeth that fall out over time and are replaced by permanent ones.
Molars: they are permanent teeth located in the back region of the mouth.
O
Occlusion: relationship between maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth as they come into contact.
Odontologist: another definition of dentist.
Oral infection: it is caused by the infiltration of microorganisms into the tissue.
Oral mucosa: the set of soft tissues that line the oral cavity.
Orthodontist: The dentist who specializes in children’s dental braces.
Orthodontics: concerns dental braces for children, to correct malpositioned teeth
Orthodontic appliance: device used to influence the growth or position of teeth.
Osseointegration: this is the process that determines the integration of dental implants into the bone.
P
Periapical abscess: it’s an infection originating in the pulp of the tooth as a result of a severely complicated cavity.
Pericoronal abscess: purulent infection localized within the tissue surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth, which creates an opening that allows bacteria to enter and give rise to the infection.
Periodontal abscess: it’s causes by an infection of the periodontium.
Periodontitis: gingival infection.
Periodontium: the ligament between the tooth and the alveolus
Permanent teeth: they replace milk teeth, are meant to be permanent.
Plaque: it is an aggregate of germs adhering to each other and to the dental surfaces, which promotes and supports tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Pulpotomy: devitalization of the tooth.
Pyorrhea:acute stage of inflammatory disease affecting periodontal tissues.
R
Removable Partial Denture/RPD: the removable partial denture is a partial mobile prosthesis, made of metallic material, which allows it to be attached to natural teeth using cast hooks.
T
Tartar: solid and calcified deposits adhered to different areas of the tooth.
Tartar ablation: ablation, also called oral hygiene. Tartar removal can be performed with manual instruments or ultrasound and rotary appliances.
Tartar removal: cleansing of teeth with an ultrasound device.
Teething: growth phase, in which the teeth emerge.
Teeth whitening:chemical treatment aimed at making the natural teeth color whiter and brighter.
Tooth: each of the hard and whitish organs protruding into the oral cavity intended for chewing
Tooth crown: it is the visible part of the tooth, also called capsule.
Tooth enamel: the outer part of the tooth.
Tooth eruption: outpour of the teeth from the gums.
Total prosthesis: also called dentures, it is the artificial, removable substitute for teeth.
U
Unit: the dentist’s chair.
W
Wisdom teeth: their name derives from the fact that they emerge at the age of “maturity of judgement”, from 18 years onwards. There are four wisdom teeth, one for each hemiarch.
