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Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms
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A
- Abrasion
Tooth abrasion is a progressive, pathological loss of tooth substances due to mechanical forces. - Apicoectomy
Endodontic surgical procedure, where endodontists remove the inflamed periapical tissue and bone and the tip of the root. If the inflamed dental pulp is not treated on time, the infection can spread to the periapical tissues. - Avulsion
Avulsion is a traumatic injury where the tooth is completely thrown out of its alveolar socket. - Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus that is located around the root of a tooth, between the root and the gums or inside the bones of the jaws. - Abutment
The abutment is a special connecting part that is placed over the implant. Its role is to provide the connection between the implant and the restoration. - Addition Silicone Impressions
Addition silicones are among the most popular elastomeric impressions at the moment. They are used mostly for fixed restorations such as crowns and bridges. They are very accurate and stable. Actually, this is the most dimensionally stable impression material. - Alginate Impression
Alginate impressions are among the most commonly used ones in dentistry. Alginate is a special material that belongs to the group of irreversible hydrocolloids. It is a regular part of many dental procedures. - Alveolar ostitis
Alveolar Ostitis Alveolar ostitis is common healing disorder that occur after tooth extraction. It is also known as a dry socket. There are many factors that can cause alveolar ostitis, jet etiology for this disorder is not completely understood. These factors are extraction trauma, infection, blood supply, sex, oral contraceptives and other systemic factors. Risk […] - Alveoloplasty
Alveoloplasty- a surgical procedure used to reshape the jawbones. - Amalgam
Dental amalgam is a material that was used very often in the past. In dentistry, amalgam is a combination of mercury and other metals such as silver, copper, zinc, tin and more. It is probably the most popular dental material ever. - Anesthesia
Dental anesthesia is a field in anesthesia that provides sedation in the oral cavity for dental purposes. - Apex
The apex is the tip of the tooth’s root. On the apex, there is an opening called apical foramina. That is the place where all the blood vessels and nerves come inside the tooth. - Arcus Digma 2
a hi-tech computerized system used to diagnose patients with bite problems. - Attrition
What is dental attrition and what is the cause? Dental attrition is a type of dental wear caused by tooth on tooth contact. The contact can affect cuspal, incisal and proximal surfaces of the tooth. Tooth wear is often seen as a normal part of aging. Attrition, abrasion, erosion or a combination of these factors […]
B
- Bleaching
Also known as teeth whitening, a cosmetic procedure to restore the teeth’s natural color, or to whiten the natural shade. - Bruxism
Bruxism, or also known as teeth grinding, is a condition when people grind and clench their teeth and jaw. - Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are also known as primary, milk, deciduous teeth, are the ones that first appear in the mouth. - Braces
Braces are special orthodontic devices that are regularly used. Whenever a patient has any kind of malocclusion, he needs an orthodontic treatment that in most cases involves braces. They can be used to correct crooked teeth, missing teeth, overbite, underbite, incorrect positions of the jaws and more. - Branemark Implant System
The Branemark implant system is the oldest one in the world. This is also the most tested system with the highest amount of clinical research. - Bridgeworks
Dental bridges are dental restorations that are made to fill the gaps from missing teeth and help to fully restore the function in the mouth. - Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that is characterized by constant, long-term burning in the mouth that the patient cannot connect with a certain cause. - Bone Lamina bone augmetation technique
The double layer membrane technique represents a revolution in the horizontal augmentation technique of alveolar bones.
C
- CAD/CAM
Special computer software in dentistry used for designing and creating dental crowns, dental bridges, dentures, inlays, onlays, veneers and more. - Canines
Canine teeth are also known as canines, cuspids, fangs and dog teeth. - Cementum
Calcified tissue that covers the tooth’s root. - Cerec 3D
Cerec 3D procedure consists in taking a digital optical impression Sirona Inlab directly in the patient’s mouth, designing the restoration on the computer with a special software and fabricating the restoration chair side with a special milling called Inlab MCXL. - Clear Orthodontic Aligners
Are an alternative and more cosmetic way to straighten your teeth compared to traditional braces. - Composite Bonding
Is a procedure where a thin layer of tooth-colored composite is molded on your teeth in order to get a better appearance. - Composite
Composite – the dental composite is one of the most frequently used materials in dentistry. It is a tooth-colored material that can be used for dental fillings and for cosmetic dentistry. - Cosmetic Dentistry
A variety of procedures your dentist can perform to improve your appearance and give you a better smile. The procedures include dental whitening, composite bonding, veneers, crowns and bridges, tooth reshaping and contouring, dental implants. - Cracked tooth syndrome
Is a syndrome that usually affects the molars and includes a crack in the tooth that is of different dimensions, sometimes very small and hard to notice, while others it can affect the dental pulp. - Cystic lesion
There are many different types of cystic lesions that can appear in the oral cavity. The most common one is the periapical cyst that appears as a result of pulpal necrosis. - Calculus
Dental calculus appears as a result of plaque build-up. - Candida Albicans- the disease of the diseased
What is candidiasis? There are several candida species such as candida tropicalis, candida albicans, glabrata, crusei and others wherein candida albicans is the most common species in the human mouth. Newborn are often infected by species located during birth by species located in the vaginal canal. Candida is classified as diploid fungus that […] - Caries
Dental caries is also known as tooth decay. In other words, it is a destructive process that affects the hard dental tissues. It can happen to any surface of the teeth. Caries is a big dental problem that is caused by several different types of bacteria in the mouth. - Cleft Palate
Cleft palate is a birth defect that can affect the palate, lip, roof of the mouth or all of them. - CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser is a type of laser used in dentistry for a number of procedures on soft tissues. - Condensation Silicon Impression
Condensation silicon is the first silicon material ever used in dentistry. It is commonly used to get impressions in the preparation of crowns, bridges, onlays, and inlays. In some cases, it’s used for an impression in the process of preparation for complete dentures. - Crown
Is a fixed prosthetic “cap” that is placed on a tooth to improve its function, anatomy, and aesthetics.
D
- Decay
Also known as the dental cavity, is the destruction of the tooth’s hard tissues (enamel, dentin, cementum) caused by bacteria that produce acids. The risk factors that can lead to cavity are poor oral hygiene, food that contains a lot of sugar, dry mouth, diseases such as diabetes, and more. - Dental abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus that is located around the root of a tooth, between the root and the gums or inside the bones of the jaws. - Dental Bridgeworks
Dental bridges are dental restorations that are made to fill the gaps from missing teeth and help to fully restore the function in the mouth. - Dental Crown
Is a fixed prosthetic “cap” that is placed on a tooth to improve its function, anatomy, and aesthetics. - Dental Laser
Is a laser specially designed to be used in dentistry for performing different intraoral procedures. It is a relatively new and expensive way of treatment, but it is very effective and it offers a wide range of procedures. - Dentin
The dentin is a calcified tissue that contains small tubules that cause the sensitivity of the tooth since they are filled with liquid and odontoblastic endings. - Dentures
Dentures are removable dental appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. - Diastema closure
Diastema is a gap between two teeth. It is usually located between the upper central incisors, but it can be located between any two teeth in the mouth. - Diastema
Is a gap between two teeth, usually between the two maxillary incisors. It can be caused by many factors such as missing teeth, oversized labial frenulum, periodontal disease, bad habits. - Digital smile solution
Is a software for diagnosing and designing a smile makeover. - Dental Implant
Dental implants are special artificial structures usually made of titanium. Other materials include zirconia. Each implant looks like the root of a tooth and it is placed inside the jawbones. - Dental Sealants
Sealants are a group of dental materials that are placed on the teeth’s surfaces to prevent the appearance of dental caries. - Diagnostic wax up
Diagnostic wax up is making of intended restorative on dental casts for evaluation and planning final restorations, a wax replica of a proposed treatment plan. The diagnostic wax up is a method that can be used for single tooth implant, crowns, bridges or veneers. This method is especially important when cosmetic dentistry is planned. In […] - Diode Laser
Diode Laser- mostly used for soft tissue procedures. The most common ones include excision of hyperplastic gingival tissue, periodontal treatment, hemostasis, gingivectomy, frenectomy, gingival sculpting techniques, treatment of aphthous ulcer and more. - Distal
as an anatomical term is used to describe something that is located further than the point of reference. - Dry Socket
Dry Socket Alveolar ostitis is common healing disorder that occur after tooth extraction. It is also known as a dry socket. There are many factors that can cause alveolar ostitis, jet etiology for this disorder is not completely understood. These factors are extraction trauma, infection, blood supply, sex, oral contraceptives and other systemic factors. Risk […] - DVT
DVT- Digital Volume Tomography - Dental Plaque Formation and Removal
Main tasks are inspection and removal of plaque. Plaque is a white-yellowish film on the teeth that composites of several different bacterias and their products.
E
- Enamel
The enamel is a hard, translucent tissue that covers the crown of the tooth. It is the hardest tissue in the human body. The enamel is responsible for the tooth’s color, and the color can change by drinking a lot of coffee, tea, red wine and more. - Endodontics
A branch of dentistry that studies the diagnosis and treating of oral pain and inflammation and infection of the soft tissue od the tooth (dental pulp) and the periapical tissues. - Erosion
Dental erosion is a progressive loss of tooth substances due to their exposure to acids. - Extraction
Pulling a tooth out of his socket. - Enameloplasty
Enameloplasty is a procedure that includes removing very small amounts of the tooth’s enamel in order to change its appearance. - Endodontic files- whats their purpose?
When do we need endodontic files? When root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is necessary your dentist should inform you about the procedure. You will be informed about the entire protocol and the duration and number of visits expected until therapy is completed. There are many reasons for root canal treatment. In most cases, the […] - Er: YAG Laser
The Er: YAG Laser (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, erbium YAG laser) is a great advancement in dentistry used for a number of different procedures mostly on hard dental tissues. - Etching
Etching or acid etching is another essential procedure in dentistry that involves etching the surface of the enamel to provide a better retention of certain materials.
F
- Feldspar ceramics
Feldspar ceramic is a glass ceramic material mostly used for veneers or veneering metal-ceramic restorations. - Filling
The dental filling is a material that is used to fill the gaps in the tooth made by removing the decayed parts. - Fixed orthodontic braces
Orthodontic braces are the most commonly used device in orthodontics and are used to improve the position of misaligned teeth and jaws. - Furcation area
Furcation area is the place where the different roots of a tooth separate. - Floss
Dental floss should be a regular part of everyone’s oral hygiene. - Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is a preventive measure that involves the use of fluoride to protect the teeth from caries.
G
- Gingival recession
Gingival recession or receding gums happens when the gums are retracted and the root of the tooth is exposed. - Gingivitis
Is an inflammatory process that affects the gums and it is the first, reversible phase in gum disease. - Gum surgery
Some patients that have periodontal disease might need gum surgery. Gum surgery is indicated for patients that have advanced periodontal disease that does not respond to non-surgical treatment. - Gums
Is the part of the oral mucosa that covers the necks of teeth and the alveolar parts of maxilla and mandible. - Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival Hyperplasia is a condition also known as enlargement, overgrowth, hypertrophy, that is characterized by an enlarged gingival tissue. - Glass Ionomer
Glass ionomer belongs to a group of restorative dental materials that can be used for a number of causes including dental fillings, cement, sealants and more. - Granuloma
Dental Granuloma Dental granuloma is the inflammation of periodontal tissue which is a small rounded formation located in the area of dental root. Dental granuloma can have a few different locations in the tooth root, but in most cases, granulomas occur in apex of the tooth root. When located in apex of the root area […]
H
- Hemisection
Dividing multi-rooted teeth in half in order to save the healthy part of the tooth.
I
- Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are dentures that are made before extracting the remaining teeth and are placed in the mouth immediately after the removal of the teeth. - Impacted teeth
Are teeth that have difficulties in erupting. Wisdom teeth and upper canines are the teeth that are usually impacted. There are a lot of factors that can influence the impaction, such as not enough space in the jaw, tilted tooth and more. - Implant dentistry
Implant dentistry is a field in dentistry that is specialized in oral rehabilitation with dental implants. - Implants
Dental implants are titanium structures that replace a tooth’s root. - Incisor
Front four teeth, located between the canines. - Inlay
Is an indirect filling that can be made of gold, porcelain or composite. - Impression Trays
Impression Trays are a very important part of dentistry. These are the trays used in several different specialties to get an impression from the teeth and alveolar processus. - Impression
A dental impression is a procedure that includes taking a negative copy from the tissues in your mouth for different reasons. - Invisalign
Invisalign is a great innovation in the field of orthodontics. It is a type of treatment that involves clear removable braces, used to get a perfect smile. - Immediate Loading
Immediate loading in dental implantology refers to the process of placing a dental implant and attaching a crown&bridge, within a very short time frame, ideally within 48 hours after the implant placement.
L
- lithium disilicate
Lithium disilicate is a glass ceramic material and is one of the most commonly used materials for monolithic crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, onlays, implant suprastructures. - Laser
Is a laser specially designed to be used in dentistry for performing different intraoral procedures. It is a relatively new and expensive way of treatment, but it is very effective and it offers a wide range of procedures. - Leukoplakia
What is Leukoplakia? The term Leukoplakia doesnt describe a specific disease but a clinical observation. Clinically Leukoplakia looks like a white patch which cannot be removed. It can have different surfaces such as smooth, fissured, varicous or speckled. Risk factors of Leukoplakia are the “6 s” – smoking – spirit – sharp tooth( traumatic […] - Leuzit
Leucite is a rarely occurring mineral from the germanate and silicate mineral class. Leucites are used in ceramics for the production of dentures. Due to its crystalline appearance. - Lithium disilicate ceramics
Lithium disilicate is a modification of the regular silicate ceramics. By incorporating lithium disilicate and lithium orthophosphate and increasing the crystal phase, the initial flexural strength was increased to approx.
M
- Malocclusion
Malocclusion, or also known as a poor bite, is actually a misalignment between the upper and lower teeth, and/or the upper and lower jaw. - Mandible
Lower jaw - Maxilla
Upper jaw - Microendodontics
Microendodontics is an advancement in dentistry that uses microscopes in endodontics procedures. - Molar
Multi-rooted teeth placed behind the premolars. - Mouthguard
Mouthguards are special protective mouth appliances that are used to protect the teeth, lips, and gums. They are most commonly used in the treatment of bruxism, different temporomandibular disorders, and in some cases can be used for teeth whitening. - Micro Air Abrasion
Micro Air Abrasion is a fairly new technique in dentistry that can be used to remove stains and discoloration on teeth, treat initial decay, remove old fillings, and prepare the surfaces of teeth.
O
- Odontectomy
Is a surgical procedure of extracting an impacted tooth. - Onlay
The process of making an onlay is the same as with the inlay. The only difference between the onlay and inlay is that the onlay restores a larger part of the tooth. - Oral Prophylaxis
Is a cleaning procedure to remove plaque build-up, calculus, stains, to prevent gingivitis and provide good oral health. It can be done by a dentist or a dental hygienist with special ultrasonic scalers. - Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic Treatment is a type of treatment that uses orthodontic devices to straighten malpositioned teeth and misaligned jaws. It is done by a specialist- orthodontist and it can have a great influence on a person’s appearance, oral functions, and health. - Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a field in dentistry that studies, prevents and treats irregularities of the teeth and the jaws.
P
- Panoramic x-ray
The panoramic x-ray is a type of x-ray that shows the whole mouth including both jaws, teeth, sinuses, temporomandibular joints, nasal area. This is a very good diagnostic method, since it shows the whole mouth in a single x-ray. - Periapical x-ray
Periapical x-ray is a type of x-ray that shows one to two teeth from their crown to their root and the surrounding bone. It is a very commonly used diagnostic measure. - Periapical
The tissues that surround the root of a tooth. - Periodontal Disease
Is an inflammatory disease that affects the periodontal tissues of a tooth. - Periodontal Ligament
connective fibers that form the attachment of the tooth to the alveolar bone. - Periodontal treatment
The procedures that are taken for the treatment of periodontal disease. - Periodontics
Periodontics is a field in dentistry that studies the supportive tissues of a tooth and it provides diagnosis and treatment of the diseases that affect the supportive tissues. - Plaque
Is a transparent, sticky, bacterial biofilm that forms on a tooth’s surface. - Premolars
Also known as bicuspids, are teeth located between canines and molars. - Probe
A dental instrument used in diagnostic measures. - Prosthodontic dentistry
Prosthodontics is a field in dentistry that is specialized in procedures that include the making of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, partial and total dentures and implants. - Pulp capping
Pulp capping is a dental procedure used to prevent complete exposure of the dental pulp. - Pulp
Soft tissue of the tooth, located in the central inner part. - Pulpectomy
Pulpectomy is a dental procedure where the whole dental pulp is removed, both the coronal and radicular part. - Pulpitis
Pulpitis is an inflammatory process that affects the dental pulp. - Pulpotomy
Pulpotomy is a dental procedure that includes removing only the coronal part of the dental pulp, followed by applying a therapeutic agent. - Periapical Radiolucency
Periapical Radiolucency Dental granuloma is the inflammation of periodontal tissue which is a small rounded formation located in the area of dental root. Dental granuloma can have a few different locations in the tooth root, but in most cases, granulomas occur in apex of the tooth root. When located in apex of the root area […] - Polishing of the tooth surface
What is Tooth polishing? Tooth polishing is a treatment that is a part of oral prophylaxis procedure in most dental practices. It is a procedure of smoothing the tooth surfaces in order to make it glossy and lustrous. Although the term polishing has been used to describe the professional removal of soft deposits and stains […] - Polyether Impression
Polyether materials are used to get very accurate impressions mostly during procedures for dental restorations. - Panoramic Radiography – Dental x-ray
A panoramic radiography is a dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw in a two-dimensional image.
R
- Replantation
Is the process of placing a tooth that has been avulsed back into his previous position in the socket. - Root Canal Treatment
Is the most common endodontic procedure. if the dental pulp is affected by bacteria from dental decay than it has to be treated endodontically by extirpating the pulp and performing a root canal treatment. - Root Planing and scaling
Non-surgical treatment to remove plaque and calculus from the tooth’s surface. - Retraction Cord
A retraction cord is a special dental material that is used during the process of taking impressions in order to manage the gingival tissue and get the ideal impression. The quality of restorations depends on a good impression so retraction cords can do a lot to provide that. - Rubber Dam
The rubber dam is a special sheet used in dentistry to provide a completely dry and clean operative site.
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- Space Maintainers
Space Maintainers are special appliances that are meant to replace a premature loss baby tooth until the permanent one appears.
T
- Tartar
Also known as calculus, is a hard, adherent deposit on the tooth’s surface. - Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
TMD’s are a group of disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory muscles. - Temporomandibular joint
The temporomandibular joint consists of two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. - Three dimensional dental scan
The 3D dental scan is a very new and sophisticated diagnostic method that gives a 3D image of the jaws. - Tooth Contouring and reshaping
A cosmetic procedure to improve the look of the patient’s teeth. It is done by removing small amounts of enamel from the surface of the teeth. - Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a bad habit that usually appears at an early age and is characterized by sucking the thumb. - Tooth wear
What is dental attrition and what is the cause? Dental attrition is a type of dental wear caused by tooth on tooth contact. The contact can affect cuspal, incisal and proximal surfaces of the tooth. Tooth wear is often seen as a normal part of aging. Attrition, abrasion, erosion or a combination of these factors […] - Turner’s hypoplasia
Turner’s hypoplasia is an teeth abnormality that affect appearance of the teeth. Hypoplasia is quantitative defect of enamel and it is histomorphologically explained as an external defect involving the surface of the enamel and associated with reduced thickness of enamel. Appearance of the Turner`s teeth are variable, though commonly is manifested as a portion of […]
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- Veneers
Very thin pieces of material that are used to change the shape of a tooth’s surface. - Vita suprinity
Vita suprinity is a new innovation in dental products that offers a glass ceramic material enriched with zirconia. - Veneer Mock-Up
A Mock-Up is a temporary restoration based on a wax-up to simulate the final restoration in the patient’s mouth. The purpose is rather to visualize than to serve any functional purpose.
W
- Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth or third molars are supposed to erupt in the mouth from 17 to 25 years, but there is no general rule. - Wax up
Diagnostic wax up is making of intended restorative on dental casts for evaluation and planning final restorations, a wax replica of a proposed treatment plan. The diagnostic wax up is a method that can be used for single tooth implant, crowns, bridges or veneers. This method is especially important when cosmetic dentistry is planned. In […]
X
- Xerostomia
Xerostomia is the syndrome of dry mouth.
Z
- Zirconia Crowns
Crowns made of zirconia.