At Cornerstone Dentistry, we understand that dental jargon can be confusing, leaving patients feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their oral health. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive dental glossary tailored just for you. Our commitment to patient care goes beyond your dental chair experience; we want you to be well-informed and empowered when it comes to your oral health. 

With our user-friendly glossary, you can easily access explanations of dental terms, procedures, and treatments, helping you make informed decisions about your dental care. Take charge of your oral health with Cornerstone Dentistry’s Dental Glossary. Explore it today!

  1. Abscess: A pocket of pus that forms due to bacterial infection.
  2. Amalgam: A blend of mercury with silver, tin, and other metals used for dental fillings.
  3. Antibiotic Prophylaxis: The use of antibiotics to prevent infections.
  4. Apex: The apex refers to the anatomical structure located at the terminal end of the root of a tooth.
  5. Apicoectomy: Surgical removal of the apex of a tooth.
  6. Asepsis: Absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
  7. Attrition: Wearing of teeth due to activities like chewing.
  8. Avulsion: complete displacement of a tooth from socket.
  9. Abfraction: Loss of tooth structure from flexural forces.
  10. Alveolar: Relating to the alveolus, the socket of the teeth.
  11. Anesthesia: Medications used to numb a region or to create unconsciousness.
  12. Analgesia: Absence of pain or the relief of pain.
  13. Abrasion: Wear on the tooth caused by a mechanical action (such as brushing).
  14. Adhesion: Sticking or bonding of a material to a tooth.
  15. Arch: Upper or lower jaw.
  1. Bicuspid: A tooth with two cusps, typically for crushing or grinding food.
  2. Biopsy: removal of a small amount of tissue as part of oral examination.
  3. Bleaching: A cosmetic dental procedure to lighten the teeth.
  4. Bonding: Application of a tooth-colored resin to repair and/or change a tooth’s color or shape.
  5. Braces: Devices used in orthodontics to straighten teeth.
  6. Bruxism: Involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth.
  7. Bridge: A fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth.
  8. Bitewing: A type of X-ray showing upper and lower teeth in one view.
  9. Bite: The position of the upper and lower teeth when they are brought together.
  10. Buccal: Related to the cheek side of the back teeth.
  11. Bone Graft: Procedure to replace damaged or lost bone around the teeth.
  12. Bone Resorption: Loss of bone around the teeth.
  13. Bifurcation: Area where the roots of a tooth divide.
  14. Base: Material placed under a dental restoration to insulate the pulp (nerve).
  15. Bur: A tool used to cut tooth structure.
  1. Canal: The interior passage within a tooth’s root containing nerves and blood vessels.
  2. Cap: Another term for a dental crown.
  3. Caries: The scientific term for tooth decay or cavities.
  4. Cavity: A hole in the tooth caused by decay.
  5. Cementum: A calcified tissue covering the tooth’s root that helps anchor it within the jaw.
  6. Crown: A cover for a tooth that restores its normal shape and size.
  7. Composite: Tooth-colored filling material.
  8. Cusp: Pointed or rounded mounds on the chewing surface of the teeth.
  9. Calculus: Hardened plaque that is difficult to remove.
  10. Canker Sore: A small, painful sore that appears inside the mouth.
  11. Ceramic Braces: Transparent braces that are less visible to others.
  12. Cleft Palate: A congenital deformity of the roof of the mouth.
  13. Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums, and/or bite.
  14. Cold Sore: Small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth.
  15. Curettage: Removal of tissue from a periodontal pocket.
  1. Dentin: The hard, dense tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel.
  2. Dentition: The arrangement or condition of the teeth.
  3. Dental Implants: Titanium replacements for missing tooth roots.
  4. Denture: A removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
  5. Decay: Tooth decay refers to the degradation of dental structure resulting from the presence of bacterial toxins.
  6. Dental Prophylaxis: A procedure to clean the teeth and gums.
  7. Diastema: A gap between two adjacent teeth.
  8. Dental Floss: A slender string composed of fine filaments that is employed for the purpose of eliminating food particles and dental plaque located in the interdental spaces.
  9. Dry Socket: Occur following a tooth extraction.
  10. Deciduous Teeth: Also known as baby or primary teeth.
  11. Dental Sealant: A dental sealant refers to a slender layer of plastic that is applied onto the occlusal surfaces of teeth.
  12. Dental Fluorosis: Condition caused by excessive intake of fluorine compounds.
  13. Distal: The side of the tooth distant from the midline.
  14. Dental Plaque: is a viscid and malleable biofilm that accumulates on the tooth surface and harbors bacterial microorganisms.
  15. Direct Restoration: Filling a cavity with a solid material like amalgam or composite resin in one appointment.
  1. Endodontics: Is a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on the study and treatment of dental pulp and the tissues that encompass the root of a tooth.
  2. Enamel: Refers to the rigid external covering that covers the tooth.
  3. Extraction: Removal of a tooth.
  4. Emergency Dentistry: Dental care focused on relieving pain and managing acute oral issues.
  5. Eruption: When a new tooth emerges through the gums.
  6. Exfoliate: The natural process of losing baby teeth and the emergence of permanent teeth.
  7. Edentulous: Being without teeth.
  8. Eugenol: A compound often used in dental procedures for its antiseptic and pain-relieving properties.
  9. Endodontist: A specialist in the field of endodontics.
  10. Equilibration: Reshaping of the biting surfaces of the teeth to improve bite function.
  11. Esthetic Dentistry: Another term for cosmetic dentistry.
  12. Exostosis: Overgrowth of bone in the oral cavity.
  13. Epithelium: Refers to the specialized tissue that serves as a protective coating for the external surface of the body, as well as lining the various cavities and organs.
  14. Erosion: Wear of the tooth surface by acid, not involving bacteria.
  15. Elastics: Rubber bands used in orthodontic treatment to help align teeth.
  1. Filling: Employed to reinstate the natural function and shape of a decayed tooth.
  2. Fluoride: A naturally occurring mineral that plays a crucial role in preventing dental caries and has the potential to initiate remineralization in the incipient, imperceptible phases of tooth decay.
  3. Fluoride Treatment: Application of fluoride to the teeth to make them more resistant to decay.
  4. Frenectomy: Removal or altering of the frenum, a piece of soft tissue preventing normal movement in the mouth.
  5. Full Mouth Reconstruction: Extensive restoration of the mouth involving general or restorative dental procedures.
  6. Fixed Appliances: Orthodontic devices, like braces, that are securely attached to the teeth.
  7. Furcation: The area where the roots of a tooth split.
  8. Fistula: Is a pathological conduit via which purulent discharge is expelled from a site of infection, commonly known as a gum boil.
  9. Flossing: Cleaning between the teeth with dental floss.
  10. Facet: Flat or smooth side of a tooth.
  11. Fracture: Breakage of a tooth or restoration.
  1. Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease, causing inflamed gums.
  2. Gum Graft: A type of dental surgery performed to correct the effects of gum recession.
  3. Gingivoplasty: Surgical reshaping and recontouring of the gums.
  4. Gingivectomy: Removal of gum tissue (periodontal surgery).
  5. Gum Boil: A localized discharge of pus from the gum, also known as a dental abscess.
  6. General Dentistry: Comprehensive oral health care provided by a general dentist.
  7. Gingival Pocket: A deepening of the crevice between the tooth and gum.
  8. Gingival Recession: When the gums move away from a tooth, exposing the root.
  9. Gumline: The gumline refers to the area where the tooth and the surrounding gums come into contact.
  10. Guard: A device used to protect teeth from injury.
  11. Gum Disease: An infection in the gums, impairing the framework supporting the teeth.
  1. Halitosis: Clinical term for bad breath.
  2. Hygienist: A hygienist is an oral healthcare practitioner who holds a license and is registered with a dental association or regulatory authority in their place of practice.
  3. Hypoplasia: Hypoplasia refers to the condition characterized by the inadequate or incomplete development of a certain tissue or organ.
  4. Hemisection: Surgical removal of one half of a tooth.
  5. Hypocalcification: Inadequate calcification or hardening of the teeth.
  6. Hyperemia: An increase in blood supply, often referring to the pulp within a tooth.
  7. Hybrid Denture: A type of denture supported by and anchored to dental implants.
  8. Hypercementosis: An excessive formation of cellular cementum on the roots of a tooth.
  9. Hypersensitivity: Abnormal responsiveness of the teeth to stimuli, such as temperature changes.
  10. Hard Palate: The anterior portion of the palate, comprising bone and covered by mucosa.
  11. High-Speed Drill: A tool used in dentistry for removing tooth structure.
  1. Impacted Tooth: A tooth that fails to emerge or fully break through the gum tissue.
  2. Implant: A device surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw to which a tooth or denture is anchored.
  3. Impression: A mold taken of the teeth using a special material.
  4. Inlay: An artificially fabricated dental treatment that is utilized to treat teeth with extensive cavities or significant loss of tooth structure, where a conventional filling would be insufficient.
  5. Interproximal: Located between the adjoining surfaces of adjacent teeth.
  6. Interdental: Situated between the teeth.
  7. Intrinsic Stain: Staining that occurs within the tooth, typically permanent.
  8. Incisor: Front tooth typically used for cutting food.
  9. Irrigation: Use of a liquid to wash out a part of the body, usually during surgery.
  10. Invasive Procedure: A procedure that penetrates or breaks the skin or a body cavity.
  11. Interocclusal: Between the closing of the upper and lower teeth.
  1. Jaw: The bony structure of the mouth that holds the teeth.
  2. Jawbone: The bone that forms the skeleton of the jaw.
  3. Joint: The location at which two or more bones connect.
  4. Juvenile Periodontitis: An aggressive form of periodontitis that affects young people.
  5. Joint Capsule: A sac-like envelope that encloses the joint cavity.
  6. Jaw Joint: The temporomandibular joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull.
  7. Jacket: Is a dental prosthetic often fabricated from porcelain and used to restore the appearance and function of a front tooth.
  8. Jaw Alignment: Proper positioning of the jaw for optimal function.
  9. Juxtaoral: Adjacent to or in proximity to the mouth.
  10. Jejunostomy Tube (J-tube): A tube inserted into the jejunum (part of the small intestine) for feeding (not directly dental but used in medical histories).
  11. Jaw Clenching: Holding the jaws tightly together.
  1. Keratin: A protein that forms the principal component of hair, nails, and enamel of teeth.
  2. Keratinization: Formation of keratin, the hard protein in hair and nails, in epithelial cells.
  3. Kinetic Cavitation: The use of air pressure in oral irrigation to remove debris.
  4. Keratinocytes: Cells that produce keratin.
  5. Kilovoltage Peak (kVp): A unit of measure for electrical voltage used in radiography.
  6. Knocked-Out Tooth: A tooth that has been removed from its socket due to trauma.
  7. Kissing Lesions: Lesions that occur symmetrically on opposing surfaces of two oral structures.
  8. Keystone Species: A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend.
  9. Keratocyst: A type of odontogenic cyst arising from the dental lamina.
  10. Kenesis: Movement or activity of a body part.
  11. Keratosis: A growth of keratin on the skin or on mucous membranes.
  1. Lingual: Pertaining to or facing the tongue.
  2. Lesion: A region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease.
  3. Laminate Veneer: A thin, porcelain or resin covering bonded to the front of a tooth.
  4. Lateral: Pertaining to the side.
  5. Laser Dentistry: Using lasers for treating various dental conditions while minimizing pain.
  6. Local Anesthesia: The elimination of sensation, especially pain, in one part of the body by the topical application or regional injection of a drug.
  7. Laceration: A cut or tear in the flesh.
  8. Lingual Braces: Braces placed on the inner side of the teeth.
  9. Luxation: Dislocation of a tooth.
  10. Leukoplakia: A condition where white spots or patches occur inside the mouth.
  11. Luting Agent: A cement used to hold a prosthesis in place.
  1. Malocclusion: Misalignment between the upper and lower teeth when biting.
  2. Molar: A back tooth with a broad surface for grinding food.
  3. Mucosa: Mucous membrane or lining of the oral cavity.
  4. Mandible: The lower jawbone.
  5. Maxilla: The upper jawbone.
  6. Mouthguard: A protective mouthpiece that covers the teeth and gums.
  7. Microabrasion: A technique used to remove small amounts of enamel.
  8. Mesial: Pertaining to or situated in the middle, closer to the midline.
  9. Mucogingival Junction: The line at which the mucous membrane lining of the cheek meets the gingiva.
  10. Mucocele: A mucous cyst primarily occurring on the lower lip.
  11. Myoarthropathy: Any disease involving a muscle and joint.
  1. Necrosis: The death of cells or tissues.
  2. Nightguard: A removable guard worn at night to prevent teeth grinding.
  3. Nasopalatine Duct: An embryonic developmental structure which gives rise to the nasopalatine canal.
  4. Nerve (Root) Canal: The space inside the root of a tooth containing nerve tissues.
  5. Nodule: A small lump of tissue, which can be normal, precancerous, or cancerous.
  6. Normal Occlusion: The ideal alignment of teeth and supportive structures.
  7. Neuropathy: A disorder or disease of the peripheral nerves.
  8. Nitrous Oxide: A gas used to reduce patient anxiety in dental procedures.
  9. Nocturnal Bruxism: Teeth grinding during sleep.
  10. Nasolabial Fold: The skin fold that runs from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
  11. Neuromuscular Dentistry: The study and treatment of the muscles and nerves of the stomatognathic (mouth and jaw) system.
  1. Oral: Pertaining to the mouth.
  2. Orthodontics: Orthodontics is a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on the treatment and prevention of dental and skeletal irregularities pertaining to teeth and jaws.
  3. Occlusion: Refers to the arrangement and interrelationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth during the act of biting.
  4. Odontoplasty: Reshaping of a tooth by removing part of the enamel.
  5. Oral Pathology: The specialty of oral medicine which identifies and manages diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.
  6. Overbite: Refers to the vertical alignment of the upper teeth in relation to the lower teeth, when the higher teeth overhang the lower teeth.
  7. Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by weak bones, which can affect the jaw bone.
  8. Odontalgia: Clinical term for a toothache.
  9. Osteoblast: A type of cell that is responsible for bone formation.
  10. Osseointegration: The process of the bone integrating with an implant post.
  11. Oral Hygiene: The practice of keeping one’s mouth clean and free of disease.
  1. Periodontal: Pertaining to the supporting structures of the teeth.
  2. Pulp: The innermost part of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels.
  3. Porcelain Veneers: Thin shells to cover the front side of a tooth to improve its appearance.
  4. Periodontitis: An advanced stage of gum disease with inflammation around the tooth.
  5. Prosthodontics: The branch of dentistry dealing with the replacement of missing teeth.
  6. Premolar: The two teeth on either side of the molar.
  7. Plaque: A soft, sticky film that builds up on teeth and contains bacteria.
  8. Prophylaxis: A dental procedure performed to clean the teeth and gums.
  9. Palliative: Relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition.
  10. Partial Denture: A removable dental prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth.
  1. Quadrant: One of four sections into which the dental arches can be divided.
  2. Quadrantectomy: Surgical removal of one quadrant of the jaw, often due to cancer.
  3. Qualitative Analysis: Analyzing the quality or characteristics of dental components.
  4. Quantitative Analysis: Analyzing the quantity or proportions of dental components.
  5. Quicksilver: Another term occasionally used for mercury, used in amalgam restorations.
  6. Quint: Dental abbreviation referring to a fifth in a series of teeth.
  7. Quadrangular: Having four angles and four sides; sometimes refers to specific tooth positioning.
  8. Quiescent: A stage where a disease is not active.
  9. Quickset: A material or substance designed to set or harden fast, often used in impressions.
  10. Quizzing: Inquiring or investigating a patient’s dental history or current issues.
  11. Quality Assurance: Ensuring a certain level of quality in the provision of dental services.
  1. Root: The part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support.
  2. Root Canal Treatment: A procedure to treat infection in the pulp of a tooth.
  3. Restorative Dentistry: A field of dentistry concerned with restoring the function and aesthetics of the oral structures.
  4. Retainer: A device worn after braces, helping to keep teeth in their new position.
  5. Radiograph: An image obtained by radiation, typically referring to X-rays.
  6. Resin: A plastic material used in bonding and veneers.
  7. Recession: The process in which the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the root.
  8. Reline: Reshaping the underside of a denture to make it more comfortable.
  9. Root Planing: Smoothing the tooth’s root by removing toxins.
  10. Rubber Dam: A thin sheet used to isolate one or more teeth during treatment.
  11. Radiolucent: Allowing the passage of X-rays.
  1. Scaling: is a dental procedure aimed at eliminating plaque and calculus from the teeth, specifically targeting the areas at and slightly below the gumline.
  2. Sealant: A plastic material used to seal the grooves and pits on the chewing surface of the teeth.
  3. Sedation: The use of medication to relax patients during dental procedures.
  4. Sublingual: Under the tongue.
  5. Submandibular: Beneath the lower jaw.
  6. Suture: A stitch used to hold soft tissues together.
  7. Supernumerary: Extra teeth that can develop in addition to the regular number.
  8. Subluxation: An injury to a tooth that has been hit and is loosened but not displaced.
  9. Saliva Ejector: A suction device to remove saliva, water, and debris from the mouth.
  10. Sinus Lift: A surgical procedure to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw.
  11. Socket: Refers to the anatomical cavity within the bone that remains after the extraction of a tooth.
  1. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Is an anatomical structure that serves as the articulation between the mandible (lower jaw) and the temporal bone of the skull.
  2. Tooth Whitening: A process that makes teeth appear whiter.
  3. Tartar: Hardened dental plaque that affects the health of the teeth and gums.
  4. Transseptal: Passing through or across a dividing wall or septum between teeth.
  5. Tooth Colored Fillings: Also known as composite fillings, made from tooth-colored material to blend in naturally.
  6. Topical Anesthesia: Anesthesia in the form of a gel or cream applied to a specific area.
  7. Trismus: Restricted ability to open the mouth, often due to swelling or spasm.
  8. Torus: A bony elevation or protruding growth in the mouth.
  9. Torus Mandibularis: A bony protuberance on the mandible.
  10. Torus Palatinus: A bony protuberance on the palate.
  11. Transitional Dentition: The stage where both deciduous and permanent teeth are present.
  1. Unerupted Tooth: Refers to a dental condition wherein a tooth has not yet emerged through the gum tissue and taken its designated location within the dental arch.
  2. Underbite: When the lower teeth are further forward than the upper teeth.
  3. Uvula: The fleshy extension hanging down at the back of the soft palate.
  4. Uvulitis: Inflammation of the uvula.
  5. Unerupted: A tooth that has not yet pushed through the gum.
  6. Ulcer: A sore on the skin or mucous membrane.
  7. Universal Precautions: Procedures used to protect against transmission of disease.
  8. Ultrasonic Cleaning: Using ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque and tartar from teeth.
  9. Upcoding: Coding a dental service at a higher level than what was actually performed (considered unethical).
  10. Unilateral: Affecting one side of something.
  11. Umbilical: Related to or affecting the navel or umbilical cord; term sometimes used in embryology regarding oral structures.
  1. Veneer: A thin layer of material placed over a tooth, either to improve its looks or protect its surface.
  2. Ventral: Pertaining to the underside of the belly side.
  3. Ventral Surface: The lower surface of the tongue.
  4. Vital: Alive, such as a vital tooth.
  5. Vasoconstrictor: A drug that constricts (narrows) blood vessels.
  6. Vista: View or seeing, sometimes referred to when discussing visualization in oral surgery.
  7. Volatile: Readily vaporizing at a relatively low temperature.
  8. Vasodilator: A drug that dilates or expands blood vessels.
  9. Verifiable: Able to be checked or demonstrated to be true or accurate.
  10. Vertical Dimension: The height of the face determined by the distance of separation of jaws.
  11. Vibrion: A short, slightly curved bacterium.
  1. Wisdom Teeth: The third (last) molars that usually erupt at age 18-25.
  2. Whitening: A process to lighten teeth using bleaching techniques.
  3. Wax Bite: An impression of the teeth used to check the bite.
  4. Wolff’s Law: The principle that bone remodels in response to the functional forces on it.
  5. Working Bite: The bite registration taken in the position of occlusion.
  6. Wedge: A small triangular piece of wood or plastic used to separate two teeth.
  7. Wire (Orthodontic): Used to move the teeth into position in orthodontic treatment.
  8. White Filling: A filling designed to match the color of a tooth.
  9. Wound: An injury to the body that typically involves laceration or breaking of a membrane.
  10. Wear Facet: A worn, flat, or shallow depression on the surface of a tooth.
  11. Wrought Wire: Wire that has been elongated by drawing through dies.
  1. Xerostomia: The condition of dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow.
  2. X-Ray: Radiographic images used to visualize internal oral structures and conditions.
  3. Xylography: Historically, a method to carve images into wood, sometimes used in the making of dental prostheses or models.
  4. Xiphoid: Shaped like a sword; occasionally used descriptively in oral and maxillofacial anatomy.
  5. X-Linked: A genetic condition or trait that is linked to a gene located on the X chromosome.
  6. Xanthoma: A condition characterized by yellow nodules, especially of lipids, that can sometimes be seen in the oral cavity.
  7. Xanthodontous: Having yellow teeth.
  8. Xiphodont: Having teeth that are long, slender, and pointed like a sword.
  9. X-Ray Film: The physical medium used to capture and display dental X-rays.
  10. Xenograft: A graft obtained from a donor of a different species.
  11. Xeroradiography: A type of X-ray imaging where a dry process is used and produces a positive image.
  1. Yellow Teeth: Teeth that are yellow in color, possibly due to stains, aging, or genetic factors.
  2. Yttrium: A rare earth metal that is sometimes used in dental ceramics for coloring.
  3. Youth Equilibration: Adjusting the occlusion of a young patient to create an optimal bite.
  4. Yaws: A tropical infection of the skin, bones, and joints that can affect the mouth and face.
  5. Yeast Infection: A fungal infection that can occur in the oral cavity, also known as thrush.
  6. Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia: A type of zirconia used in dental crowns because of its hardness and durability.
  7. Yellowness Index: A measurement to determine the degree of yellowness in a material.
  8. Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) Laser: A type of laser used in certain dental procedures.
  9. Yolk Stalk: Also known as the yolk stalk, it is an embryonic feature and a channel for nutrient uptake.
  10. Youthful Dentition: Referring to the teeth during youth and/or early development stages.
  11. Y-Strap: A type of orthodontic strap designed to apply pressure in a specific direction.
  1. Zirconia: A crystalline material that is used to make dental crowns and bridges.
  2. Zinc Oxide Eugenol: A type of dental cement that is often used as a temporary filling material.
  3. Zygomatic Arch: The bone arch to which the jaw is attached; also referred to as the cheekbone.
  4. Zenith: The highest point; in dentistry, it often refers to the highest or most protrusive point of the gumline around a tooth.
  5. Zygomatic Bone: The zygomatic bone, alternatively referred to as the cheekbone or malar bone, is a prominent facial bone.
  6. Zygomaticus: Muscles connected to the zygomatic bone, involved in facial expressions.
  7. Zirconium: A chemical element, which when stabilized with yttrium, is used in dental applications.
  8. Zygoma: Another term for the zygomatic bone.
  9. Zooplasty: Surgery that uses animal grafts, historically used in dental procedures.
  10. Zinc Phosphate: A material used in dental cement and occasionally in fillings.
  11. Zoster: Refers to Herpes Zoster, which can potentially affect oral health in the form of shingles or chickenpox.

Ready to transform your smile? Schedule an appointment with us now to experience exceptional dental care firsthand. Your journey to a healthier, happier smile starts here at Cornerstone Dentistry.