Dental Glossary
Dentistry is characterized by many medical terms with which the patient, or a non-expert in the field, does not usually come into contact. In our Dental Glossary, we explain the most important dental terms ranging from technical topics, treatments, and methods, up to 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
Ablazione del tartaro (Scaling): scaling, also called oral hygiene or detartrasi. The removal of tartar can be performed with manual instruments or ultrasound and rotating devices. Abrasione dentale (Dental abrasion): wear of the chewing surfaces of the teeth caused by friction generated by rubbing.
Afte (Canker sores / Aphthous ulcers): these are inflammatory ulcers in the oral mucosa, quite common on the palate, tongue, or cheeks.
Amalgama (Amalgam): gray-colored material used for filling teeth.
Apicectomia (Apicoectomy): surgical removal of the root apex of a tooth and the surrounding soft tissues affected by pathological conditions.
Apparecchio ortodontico (Orthodontic appliance / Braces): device used to influence the growth or position of teeth.
Arcate (Dental arches): dental arches are divided into upper and lower. ASCESSO (ABSCESS)
Ascesso (Abscess): it is an accumulation of bacteria, plasma, white blood cells, and cellular debris (pus), confined within the tissues surrounding the tooth, such as the gum, the jawbone, or the tooth pulp.
Infezione parodontale (Periodontal infection): it is caused by an infection of the periodontium.
Ascesso periapicale (Periapical abscess): it is an infection originating in the pulp of the tooth as a consequence of a severely complicated cavity.
Infezione pericoronale (Pericoronal infection): purulent infection located 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.
Infiammazione gengivale (Gingival inflammation): develops directly in the gum due to infectious processes.
Atrofia (Atrophy): vertical decrease or horizontal narrowing of the bone.
Avulsione (Avulsion): extraction of a tooth.
B
Bruxismo (Bruxism): also referred to as teeth grinding.
C
Capsula (Capsule / Crown): also called a crown, it is the visible part of the tooth.
Carie (Cavity / Caries): in dentistry, the term caries indicates the process of cavitation of a tooth.
Cisti dentarie (Dental cysts): formations that affect a tooth or its supporting tissues.
Colletto Dentale (Dental neck / Cervix): it is the boundary line where the crown ends and the roots begin.
Composito (Composite): material used for white fillings.
Corona dente (Tooth crown): it is the visible part of the tooth, also called a capsule.
D
Dente (Tooth): each of the hard, whitish organs protruding into the oral cavity intended for chewing. DENTI (TEETH):
Da latte (Baby teeth / Primary teeth): teeth that fall out over time and are replaced by permanent ones.
Del giudizio (Wisdom teeth): their name derives from the fact that they erupt at the age of "maturity of judgment" (wisdom), from age 18 onwards. There are four wisdom teeth, one for each quadrant.
Incisivi (Incisors): these are the central teeth.
Inclusi (Impacted teeth): teeth that lack the possibility of erupting naturally.
Permanenti (Permanent teeth): they replace baby teeth; they are the definitive teeth.
Dentiera (Denture): mobile resin prosthesis, which is applied in cases of missing teeth.
Dentina (Dentin): it is a tissue found beneath the enamel that makes up the crown and roots of the teeth, surrounding the dental pulp.
Dentizione (Dentition / Teething): the growth phase in which teeth erupt.
Detartrasi (Detartrasi / Scaling): performing teeth cleaning with an ultrasonic instrument.
E
Edentulia o Edentulismo (Edentulism): lack of teeth.
Endodontico (Endodontic material): material used for root canal treatment of the tooth.
Endodonto (Endodontium): internal part of the tooth.
Endodonzia (Endodontics): root canal treatment of the tooth.
Erosione (Erosion): refers to a loss of enamel through physical or chemical processes.
Eruzione dentale (Tooth eruption): emergence of teeth from the gums.
Estrusione (Extrusion): an unusual and excessive eruption of a tooth.
Eugenolo (Eugenol): it is a chemical substance derived from phenol.
F
Faccetta Dentale (Dental veneer): ceramic element placed on the front part of a central tooth.
Filo interdentale (Dental floss): tool for cleaning interdental spaces.
Fistola (Fistula): opening in the gum tissue through which an abscess drains.
Frenulectomia (Frenulectomy): the repositioning or surgical removal of a frenum.
Frenulo (Frenum / Frenulum): the filament composed of muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane, which connects the cheeks, lips, and tongue to the dental mucosa.
G
Gengiva (Gum / Gingiva): the soft tissue surrounding the teeth.
Gengivite (Gingivitis): bleeding and inflamed gum.
Gengivectomia (Gingivectomy): it is the term that indicates a dental procedure in which the gum surrounding a tooth is partially removed.
Gengivoplastica (Gingivoplasty): surgical treatment to bring the gum back to its normal shape and function.
Gnatologia (Gnathology): study of mastication (chewing).
Granuloma dentale (Dental granuloma): inflammation of the tissues surrounding the apex of the dental root.
I
Impianto dentale (Dental implant): it is a medical device made of titanium or zirconia that is inserted into the jawbones to replace a missing tooth.
Implantologia (Implantology): it is a branch of dentistry that deals with reinserting or replacing missing or irreparably compromised teeth.
Implantologo (Implantologist): dentist specialized in dental implantology.
Incisione (Incision): surgical procedure in which soft tissue is cut.
Infezione Orale (Oral infection): it is caused by the infiltration of microorganisms into the tissue.
Intarsio dentale (Dental inlay/onlay): it is a prosthetic device made to partially reconstruct a tooth that has lost part of its coronal structure due to decay or fracture.
Interdentale (Interdental): the area between adjacent consecutive teeth; this space can be more or less wide depending on the position and shape of the teeth.
M
Manipolo (Handpiece): tool, drill used by the dentist.
Molari (Molars): these are permanent teeth located in the back region of the mouth.
Moncone (Abutment / Prepared tooth): the shaved/filed tooth onto which the capsule is cemented.
Mucosa orale (Oral mucosa): the set of soft tissues lining the oral cavity.
O
Occlusione (Occlusion): relationship between maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth at the moment they come into contact.
Odontoiatra (Dentist / Odontologist): another definition for dentist.
Ortodontista (Orthodontist): the dentist specialized in dental appliances for children.
Ortognatodonzia (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics): concerns dental appliances for children, to correct misplaced teeth.
Osteointegrazione (Osseointegration): it is the process that determines the integration of dental implants into the bone.
P
Paradonto (Periodontium): the ligament between the tooth and the alveolus (socket).
Periodontite (Periodontitis): infection of the gum.
Piorrea (Pyorrhea): acute stage of the inflammatory disease affecting periodontal tissues.
Placca (Plaque): it is an aggregate of germs adhering to each other and to dental surfaces, which promotes and supports decay and periodontal diseases.
Protesi fissa (Fixed prosthesis): replaces natural dental elements with definitive and stable fabrications.
Protesi totale (Total prosthesis / Denture): also called a denture, it is the removable artificial replacement for teeth.
Pulpotomia (Pulpotomy): root canal treatment of the tooth.
R
Radice dentale (Dental root): part of the tooth located inside the gum.
Riunito (Dental chair / Dental unit): the dentist's chair.
S
Sbiancamento dentale (Teeth whitening / Bleaching): chemical treatment aimed at making the color of natural teeth whiter and brighter.
Scheletrato (Removable partial denture / Cast partial denture): it is a mobile partial prosthesis, built with metallic material, which allows it to hook onto natural teeth using cast clasps.
Smalto dentale (Dental enamel): the outer part of the tooth.
Spazio interdentale (Interdental space): distance, the space between two teeth.
T
Tartaro (Tartar / Calculus): solid and calcified deposits adhering to different areas of the tooth.
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