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A:
Abrasion
Tooth wear caused by forces other than chewing
such as holding objects between the teeth or
improper brushing.
Abutment
A tooth (or implant) that supports a dental
prosthesis.
Alveolar bone
The part of the jaw that surround the roots of
the teeth.
Alveolar process
The curving part of the jaw into which the teeth
are rooted.
Alveolus
The socket in the alveolar bone into which the
tooth’s root fits.
Amalgam
An alloy used in direct dental restorations.
Analgesia
Loss of pain sensations without loss of
consciousness.
Ankylosis
A condition where two hard tissues are fused
together. When this happens to a tooth and the
alveolar bone, the tooth partially erupts.
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia: A controlled state of
unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or
complete loss of protective reflexes, including
loss of ability to independently maintain airway
and respond purposefully to physical stimulation
or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic
or non-pharmacologic method or combination
thereof;
Intravenous Sedation/Analgesia: A medically
controlled state of depressed consciousness
while maintaining the patient’s airway,
protective reflexes and the ability to respond
to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes
intravenous administration of sedative and/or
analgesic agent(s) and appropriate monitoring.
Local Anesthesia: The loss of pain sensation
over a specific area of the anatomy without loss
of consciousness.
Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation: A
medically controlled state of depressed
consciousness while maintaining the patient’s
airway, protective reflexes and the ability to
respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It
includes administration of sedative and/or
analgesic agent(s) by a route other than IV;
(PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate
monitoring.
Regional Anesthesia: A term used for local
anesthesia. See Local Anesthesia.
Apicoectomy
Removal of the tip of a tooth root.
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B:
Benign
The mild character of an illness or the
non-malignant character of a
neoplasm.
Bicuspid
A premolar tooth; a tooth with two cusps.
Bilateral
Occurring on, or pertaining to, both right and
left sides.
Biopsy
Process of removing tissue for histologic
evaluation.
Bitewing radiographs
X-rays used to reveal the crowns of several
upper and lower teeth as they bite down.
Bleaching
A cosmetic dental procedure that whitens the
teeth using a bleaching solution.
Bonding
A composite resin applied to a tooth to change
its shape and/or color. Bonding also refers to
how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some
fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.
Bridge
See Fixed Partial Denture and/or Removable
Partial Denture.
Bruxism
Constant grinding or clenching of teeth during
they day or while asleep.
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C:
Calculus
Hard deposit of mineralized material adhering to
crowns and/or roots of teeth.
Canal
A relatively narrow tubular passage or channel.
Root Canal: Space inside the root portion of
a tooth containing pulp tissue.
Cariogenic
Promotes tooth decay.
Caries
Commonly used term for tooth decay.
Cavity
Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred
to as carious lesion.
Cementum
Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.
Cleft Lip
Birth defect in which one or more fissures form
in the upper lip, which takes place while the
fetus is growing.
Cleft Palate
Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion
of the soft and/or hard palate, either partial
or complete.
Clenching
The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth
together in centric occlusion, frequently
associated with psychological stress or physical
effort.
Composite
A dental restorative material made up of
disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and
quartz particles).
Conscious Sedation
A state in which patients are awake and can
breathe and swallow on their own but are less
aware of what is taking place.
Crown
Anatomical Crown: That portion of tooth
normally covered by, and including, enamel;
Abutment Crown: Artificial crown serving for
the retention or support of a dental prosthesis;
Artificial Crown: Restoration covering or
replacing the major part, or the
whole of the clinical crown of a tooth;
Clinical Crown: That portion of a tooth not
covered by supporting tissues.
Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure
exposing more tooth for restorative purposes by
apically positioning the gingival margin and/or
removing supporting bone.
Cusp
The pointed portion of the tooth.
Cyst
Pathological cavity, usually lined with
epithelium, containing fluid or soft matter.
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D:
Debridement
Removing foreign matter or dead tissue.
Decay
The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth;
decomposition of tooth structure.
Dental Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to
remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.
Dental Prosthesis
An artificial device that replaces one or more
missing teeth.
Dental Specialist
A dentist who has received postgraduate training
in one of the recognized dental specialties.
DDS
DMD
Dentin
That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel
and cementum.
Dentition
The teeth in the dental arch.
Permanent Dentition
Refers to the permanent teeth in the dental
arch.
Deciduous Dentition
Refers to the deciduous or primary teeth in the
dental arch.
Denture
An artificial substitute for natural teeth and
adjacent tissues.
Denture Base
The part of the denture that holds the
artificial teeth and fits over the gums.
Direct Restoration
A restoration fabricated inside the mouth.
Dry Mouth
See Xerostomia
Dry Socket
Localized inflammation of the tooth socket
following extraction due to infection or loss of
blood clot; osteitis.
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E:
Edentulous
Toothless.
Enamel
Hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the
crown of tooth.
Endodontist
A dental specialist who limits his/her practice
to treating disease and injuries of the pulp and
associated periradicular conditions.
Erosion
Wearing down of tooth structure, caused by
chemicals (acids).
Eruption
When a tooth emerges or pushes through the gums.
Evaluation
Periodic Oral Evaluation: An evaluation
performed on a patient of record to determine
any changes in the patient’s dental and medical
health status since a previous comprehensive or
periodic evaluation. This may require
interpretation of information acquired through
additional diagnostic procedures. Report
additional diagnostic procedures separately.
Limited Oral Evaluation: Problem focused: an
evaluation limited to a specific oral health
problem. This may require interpretation of
information acquired through additional
diagnostic procedures. Definitive procedures may
be required on the same date as the evaluation.
Typically, patients receiving this type of
evaluation have been referred for a specific
problem and/or present with dental emergencies,
trauma, acute infection, etc.
Comprehensive Oral Evaluation: Typically used
by a general dentist and/or a specialist when
evaluating a patient comprehensively. It is a
thorough evaluation and recording of the
extraoral and intraoral hard and soft tissues.
It may require interpretation of information
acquired through additional diagnostic
procedures. This would include the evaluation
and recording of the patient’s dental and
medical history and a general health assessment.
It may typically include the evaluation and
recording of dental caries, missing or unerupted
teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships,
periodontal conditions (including periodontal
charting), hard and soft tissue anomalies, etc.
Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation:
Typically includes evaluation of
periodontal conditions, probing and charting,
evaluation and recording of the
patient’s dental and medical history and general
health assessment. It may
include the evaluation and recording of dental
caries, missing or unerupted
teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships and
oral cancer screening.
Detailed And Extensive Oral
Evaluation—Problem-Focused, By Report:
A detailed and extensive problem-focused
evaluation entails extensive diagnostic and
cognitive modalities based on the findings of a
comprehensive oral evaluation. Integration of
more extensive diagnostic modalities to develop
a treatment plan for a specific problem is
required. The condition requiring this type of
evaluation should be described and documented.
Examples of conditions requiring this type of
evaluation may include dentofacial anomalies,
complicated perio-prosthetic conditions, complex
temporomandibular dysfunction, facial pain of
unknown origin, severe systemic diseases
requiring multi-disciplinary consultation, etc.
Re-Evaluation—Limited, Problem Focused
(established patient; not post-operative visit):
This includes assessing the status of a
previously existing condition. Examples of
conditions requiring this type of evaluation may
include: A traumatic injury where no treatment
was rendered but the patient needs follow-up
monitoring; Evaluation for undiagnosed
continuing pain: A soft tissue lesion requiring
follow-up evaluation.
Excision
Surgical removal of bone or tissue.
Extraction
The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth
parts.
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F:
FADI: Fellow, Academy of Dentistry
International
FAGD: Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry
Filling
A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth
structure by using materials such as metal,
alloy, plastic or porcelain.
Fixed Appliances
Orthodontic devices, commonly known as braces,
that are bonded to the teeth to produce
different tooth movements to help reposition
teeth for orthodontic therapy.
Fixed Partial Denture
A fixed partial denture is a prosthetic
replacement of one or more missing teeth
cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or
implant abutments adjacent to the space.
Fracture
The breaking of a part, especially of a bony
structure; breaking of a tooth.
Full-Mouth X-Rays
A combination of 14 or more periapical and 4
bitewing films of the back teeth. This series of
x-rays reveals all the teeth (their crowns and
roots) and the alveolar bone around them.
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G:
General Anesthesia
A deep level of sedation in which patients lose
consciousness, feel no pain, and have no memory
of what is taking place around them.
Gingiva
Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted
teeth and encircling the necks of those that
have erupted.
Gingival Hyperplasia
An overgrowth of gingival tissues.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of
connective tissue.
Gingivectomy
The excision or removal of gingiva.
Gingivoplasty
Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.
Graft
A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed
in contact with tissue to repair a defect or
supplement a deficiency.
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR)
Procedure during flap surgery for periodontal
disease in which a membrane is inserted between
the alveolar bone and the bone graft to
encourage the gum tissues to grow onto the
alveolar bone.
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H:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
find information that may exist in other
locations on ADA.org.
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I:
Imaging, Diagnostic
This would include, but is not limited to, CAT
scans, MRIs, photographs, radiographs, etc.
Immediate Denture
Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately
after removal of remaining natural teeth.
Impacted Tooth
An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is
positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft
tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely.
Implant
Material inserted or grafted into tissue.
Dental Implant
A device specially designed to be placed
surgically within or on the mandibular or
maxillary bone as a means of providing for
dental replacement; endosteal (endosseous);
eposteal (subperiosteal); transosteal (transosseous).
Implantation, Tooth
Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into
an alveolus.
Inlay
An indirect intracoronal restoration; a dental
restoration made outside of the oral cavity to
correspond to the form of the prepared cavity,
which is then luted into the tooth.
Interproximal
Between the teeth.
Intraoral
Inside the mouth.
Intravenous Sedation
Medications used intravenously (through the
bloodstream) to produce varying levels of
sedation.
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J:
Jaw
A common name for either the maxilla or the
mandible.
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K:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
find information that may exist in other
locations on ADA.org.
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L:
Labial
Pertaining to or around the lip.
Lesion
An injury or wound; area of diseased tissue.
Lingual
Pertaining to or around the tongue; surface of
the tooth directed toward the tongue; opposite
of facial.
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M:
MAGD: Mastership in the Academy of General
Dentistry
Maintenance, Periodontal
Therapy for preserving the state of health of
the periodontium.
Malignant
Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion,
and metastasis.
Malocclusion
Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces
of upper and lower teeth.
Maryland Bridge
A type of fixed partial denture not requiring
crowns. The prosthesis is bonded to the natural
teeth to secure it.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Molar
Teeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on
either side of the jaw; grinding teeth, having
large crowns and broad chewing surfaces.
Mouthguard
Device that fits over the teeth to prevent
injury to the teeth, mouth or lips. May also
refer to a device that prevents tooth grinding
or treats temporomandibular disorders.
Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as well as other
canals and cavities of the body; also called
“mucosa.”
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N:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter.
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O:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A disorder in which breathing stops for short
periods of time during sleep.
Occlusal
Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the
premolar and molar teeth or contacting surfaces
of opposing teeth or opposing occlusion rims.
Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces
of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower)
teeth.
Onlay
An indirect restoration made outside the oral
cavity that overlays a cusp or cusps of the
tooth, which is then luted to the tooth.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to
the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment
of diseases, injuries, deformities, defects and
esthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial
regions.
Oral Mucosa
The pink-red tissues that line the mouth.
Orthodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to
the interception and treatment of malocclusion
of the teeth and their surrounding structures.
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct facial imbalances
caused by abnormalities of the jaw bones.
Osseointegration
The process by which bone heals around an
implant.
Osteoplasty
Surgical procedure that modifies the
configuration of bone.
Osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone.
Overdenture
A removable prosthetic device that overlies and
may be supported by retained tooth roots or
implants.
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P:
Palate
The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of
the mouth that separates the oral and nasal
cavities.
Palliative
Action that relieves pain but is not curative.
Partial Denture
Usually refers to a prosthetic device that
replaces missing teeth; see Fixed Partial
Denture or Removable Partial Denture.
Parotid Glands
Major salivary glands located in front of and
below the ears.
Patient
An individual who has established a professional
relationship with a dentist for the delivery of
dental health care. For matters relating to
communication of information and consent, this
term includes the patient’s parent, caretaker,
guardian, or other individual as appropriate
under state law and the circumstances of the
case.
PC: Personal Corporation
Pediatric Dentist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to
treatment of children from birth through
adolescence; formerly known as a pedodontist.
Pedodontist
See Pediatric Dentist.
Pellicle
A thin nonbacterial film from saliva that covers
the teeth.
Periapical X-Ray
An x-ray that shows several entire teeth (crowns
and roots) and includes a small amount of the
periapical bone (surrounding the root tips).
Periodontal
Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding
tissues of the teeth.
Periodontal Abscess
An infection in the gum pocket that can destroy
hard and soft tissues.
Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues
and/or periodontal membrane of the teeth,
resulting in an abnormally deep gingival sulcus,
possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss
of supporting alveolar bone.
Periodontal Pocket
Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a
feature of periodontal disease.
Periodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to
the treatment of diseases of the supporting and
surrounding tissues of the teeth.
Periodontitis
Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue
of the supporting or surrounding structure of
teeth with loss of attachment.
Plaque
A soft sticky substance that accumulates on
teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial
derivatives.
Post
An elongated projection fitted and cemented
within the prepared root canal, serving to
strengthen and retain restorative material
and/or a crown restoration.
Posterior
Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of
the mouth (distal to the canines): maxillary and
mandibular premolars and molars.
Precision Attachment
Interlocking device, one component of which is
fixed to an abutment or abutments and the other
is integrated into a fixed or removable
prosthesis in order to stabilize and/or retain
it.
Premedication
The use of medications prior to dental
procedures.
Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to
remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains.
Prosthesis
Artificial replacement of any part of the body.
Prosthodontis
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to
the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the
replacement of missing teeth with artificial
substitutes.
Pulp
Connective tissue that contains blood vessels
and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity
of a tooth.
Pulp Cavity
The space within a tooth which contains the
pulp.
Pulpectomy
Complete removal of vital and non vital pulp
tissue from the root canal space.
Pulpotomy
Surgical removal of a portion of the pulp with
the aim of maintaining the vitality of the
remaining portion by means of an adequate
dressing; pulp amputation.
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Q:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
find information that may exist in other
locations on ADA.org.
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R:
Radiograph
An image produced by projecting radiation, as
x-rays, on photographic film. Commonly called
x-ray.
Ranula
A cyst that can develop under the tongue on the
floor of the mouth.
Rebase
To replace the denture base.
Reline
To resurface the side of the denture that is in
contact with the soft tissues of the mouth to
make it fit more securely.
Removable Appliance
Removable orthodontic appliances used to effect
simple tipping movements of one tooth or
several.
Removable Partial Denture
A removable partial denture (removable bridge)
is a prosthetic replacement of one or more
missing teeth that can be removed by the
patient.
Resorb
To dissolve.
Retainer
Orthodontic Retainer: Appliance to stabilize
teeth following orthodontic
treatment.
Prosthodontic Retainer: A part of a fixed
partial denture that attaches a
pontic to the abutment tooth, implant abutment,
or implant.
Root
The anatomic portion of the tooth that is
covered by cementum and is located in the
alveolus (socket) where it is attached by the
periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of
tooth.
Root Canal
The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root
of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the
tooth that contains the pulp.
Root Canal Therapy
The treatment of disease and injuries of the
pulp and associated periradicular conditions.
Root Caries
Tooth decay that forms on the roots.
Root Planing
A procedure designed to remove microbial flora,
bacterial toxins, calculus, and diseased
cementum or dentin on the root surfaces and in
the pocket.
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S:
Scaling
Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from
teeth.
Sealants
Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of
molars to prevent bacteria from attacking the
enamel and causing caries.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
An autoimmune disorder (mostly affecting older
women) that is characterized by partial or
complete cessation of saliva and tears. It can
be associated with rheumatic disease, such as
rheumatic arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.
Splint
A device used to support, protect, or immobilize
oral structures that have been loosened,
replanted, fractured or traumatized. Also refers
to devices used in the treatment of
temporomandibular joint disorders.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the membranes in the mouth.
Sublingual Glands
Major salivary glands located in the mucosa on
the floor of the mouth.
Submandibular Glands
Walnut-sized major salivary glands located
beneath the tongue.
Suture
Stitch used to repair incision or wound.
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T:
Temporary Removable Denture
An interim prosthesis designed for use over
limited period of time.
Temporomandibular (TMJ)
The connecting hinge mechanism between the base
of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw
(mandible).
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint;
also refers to symptoms arising in other areas
secondary to the dysfunction.
Torus
A bony elevation or protuberance of bone.
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U:
Unerupted
Tooth/teeth that have not penetrated into the
oral cavity
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V:
Veneer
In the construction of crowns or pontics, a
layer of tooth-colored material, usually, but
not limited to, composite, porcelain, ceramic or
acrylic resin, attached to the surface by direct
fusion, cementation, or mechanical retention;
also refers to a restoration that is luted to
the facial surface of a tooth.
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W:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
find information that may exist in other
locations on ADA.org.
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X:
Xerostomia
Decreased salivary secretion that produces a dry
and sometimes burning sensation of the oral
mucosa and/or cervical caries.
X-Ray
Radiograph.
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Y:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
find information that may exist in other
locations on ADA.org.
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Z:
Currently there are no terms listed
alphabetically under this letter. You can use
the search function at the top of this page to
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locations on ADA.org.
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