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Glossary

General Dentistry Glossary

Our glossary provides clear definitions of common general dentistry terms. Become a more informed patient at The Smile Spa.

Explore our dental dictionary to learn about common general dentistry terms. If you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.

Dentistry

Common Dental Procedures

  • Amalgam Filling: A silver-colored filling used to repair cavities.
  • Bonding: A procedure to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth using a tooth-colored resin material.
  • Bridge: A dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth.
  • Composite Filling: A tooth-colored filling used to repair cavities.
  • Crown: A cap that covers the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength.
  • Dentures: Removable replacements for missing teeth.
  • Extraction: The removal of a tooth.
  • Filling: A material used to fill a cavity in a tooth.
  • Fluoride Treatment: Applying fluoride to teeth to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
  • Inlay/Onlay: A custom-made filling that is cemented onto a tooth.
  • Root Canal: A procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.
  • Dental Implants: Titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
  • Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning procedure to treat gum disease.
  • Sealant: A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
  • Teeth Whitening: A procedure to lighten the color of teeth.
  • Veneer: A thin shell that is bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.

Dental Specialties

  • Dental Hygienist: A licensed professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and patient education.
  • Endodontics: The treatment of diseases of the dental pulp (root canals).
  • Oral Surgeon: Performs surgical procedures in the mouth, including tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement.
  • Orthodontics: The alignment of teeth and jaws.
  • Pediatric Dentistry: Focuses on the oral health of children.
  • Periodontics: The treatment of gum disease.
  • Prosthodontics: The replacement of missing teeth with artificial restorations (e.g., dentures, bridges, implants).

Common Dental Terms

  • Abscess: A collection of pus caused by an infection.
  • Bitewing X-ray: An X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth in a specific area.
  • Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
  • Calculus (Tartar): Hardened plaque.
  • Caries: The technical term for tooth decay.
  • Cavity: A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
  • Cementum: The layer of tissue that covers the root of a tooth.
  • Dentin: The layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
  • Enamel: The hard, outer layer of the tooth.
  • Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums.
  • Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth or jaws.
  • Occlusion: The way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
  • Panoramic X-ray: An X-ray that shows the entire mouth.
  • Periapical X-ray: An X-ray that shows the entire tooth, from crown to root.
  • Periodontal Disease: Gum disease.
  • Plaque: A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
  • Pulp: The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
  • Restoration: A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth.
Amalgam Filling
A silver-colored filling used to repair cavities.
Bonding
A procedure to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth using a tooth-colored resin material.
Bridge
A dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth.
Composite Filling
A tooth-colored filling used to repair cavities.
Dentures
Removable replacements for missing teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
Applying fluoride to teeth to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
Inlay/Onlay
A custom-made filling that is cemented onto a tooth.
Scaling and Root Planing
A deep cleaning procedure to treat gum disease.
Sealant
A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
Dental Hygienist
A licensed professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and patient education.
Endodontics
The treatment of diseases of the dental pulp (root canals).
Oral Surgeon
Performs surgical procedures in the mouth, including tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement.
Orthodontics
The alignment of teeth and jaws.
Pediatric Dentistry
Focuses on the oral health of children.
Periodontics
The treatment of gum disease.
Prosthodontics
The replacement of missing teeth with artificial restorations (e.g., dentures, bridges, implants).
Abscess
A collection of pus caused by an infection.
Bitewing X-ray
An X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth in a specific area.
Bruxism
Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Calculus (Tartar)
Hardened plaque.
Caries
The technical term for tooth decay.
Cavity
A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
Cementum
The layer of tissue that covers the root of a tooth.
Dentin
The layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
Enamel
The hard, outer layer of the tooth.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums.
Malocclusion
Misalignment of the teeth or jaws.
Occlusion
The way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Panoramic X-ray
An X-ray that shows the entire mouth.
Periapical X-ray
An X-ray that shows the entire tooth, from crown to root.
Periodontal Disease
Gum disease.
Plaque
A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
Pulp
The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Restoration
A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth.