Glossary of Dental & Orthodontic Terms
A
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Appliance
Any removable dental restoration or orthodontic device.
C
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Calculus
Tartar; plaque which has become calcified or hardened.
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Cavity
The space inside a tooth that remains once decay is removed.
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Cheek pouch
The area of the mouth inside the cheek.
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Crown
Portion of tooth covered by enamel; also refers to a dental restoration shaped like the tooth it covers.
D
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Deciduous teeth
Baby teeth; the childhood set of 20 teeth.
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Dental caries
Decay of teeth; commonly known as 'cavities'.
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Dentine
The core of the tooth, covered by enamel.
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Dentine hypersensitivity
The painful sensation resulting from exposed dentine in your mouth.
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Dietary sugar
Sugar occurring in your diet, including sugar found in sweets, fruits and processed foods.
E
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Enamel
Extremely hard, protective coating of tooth.
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Eruption
When teeth first peek through gums.
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Explorer
A probe used to detect cavity growth.
F
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Fissures
Cleft-like grooves in the chewing surfaces of back teeth.
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Fissure sealing
A procedure that protects fissures against decay, using a sealant.
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Fluoride
A chemical compound that helps strengthen teeth as well as reduce tooth decay and sensitivity.
G
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Gingiva
The gums; tissue that supports teeth and covers jawbone.
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Gingival
Of or pertaining to the gums.
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Gingival pocket
See gingival sulcus.
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Gingival sulcus
Gum pocket; space between tooth (including root) and gum tissue.
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Gingivitis
A reversible gum disease which causes gum tenderness, inflammation and pain.
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Gum disease
See periodontal disease and gingivitis.
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Gum pocket
See gingival sulcus.
I
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Implant
A fixture implanted within the jawbone to attach a permanent restoration such as a crown, bridge or denture.
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Irrigator
An appliance for cleaning above and/or below the gum line, and for distributing therapeutic solutions.
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Interdental
Between teeth.
M
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Malocclusion
Misalignment of upper and lower teeth.
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Molars
Large, broad multi-cusped teeth at the back of the mouth.
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Mouthguard
A soft fitted device that protects teeth against impact or injury.
O
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Orthodontics
An area of dentistry concerned with the correction of malocclusion and the restoration of teeth to proper functioning.
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Orthodontist
A dental professional who specialises in and corrects irregularities of the teeth.
P
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Periodontal
Of or pertaining to the tissue and bone that support teeth.
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Periodontal disease
See periodontitis.
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Periodontal probe
An instrument used to measure pocket depth.
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Periodontist
A dental professional who specialises in the treatment of disease of the supporting structures of the teeth.
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Periodontitis
A gum disease that causes inflammation of gums, ligaments and bone structure or bone loss that support teeth; can lead to tooth.
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Plaque
A sticky, bacteria-containing film which forms on tooth surfaces.
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Premolars
Two-cusped teeth immediately in front of molars.
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Proximal surfaces
Areas of tooth adjacent to other teeth.
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Pulp
Soft, sensitive tissue chamber below the crown, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
R
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Restoration
Any replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth; for example, bridges, fillings, crowns and implants.
S
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Sensitivity
See dentine hypersensitivity.
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Subgingival
Below the gum line.
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Supragingival
Above the gum line.
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Systemic
Affecting the body as a whole.
T
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Teething
Baby teeth pushing through gums.
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TMJ
The 'temporomandibular joint' (TMJ) or commonly known as the ''jaw joint'', is where the lower jaw connects to the base of the skull.
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TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)
A problem with the temporomandibular joint.
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Topical gel
Applied to teeth, gums or oral tissue.