Glossary of Dental Terms

Amalgam

An alloy used in direct dental restorations; a “silver” filing.

Calculus

Hard deposit of mineralized material adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth; tartar

Cavity

Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion

Composite

A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles); a white or tooth-colored filling

Crown

Restoration covering or replacing the major part, or the whole of the clinical crown of a tooth; a “cap.”

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; a “bridge.”

Gingiva

Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted; gums

Gingivitis

Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue.

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.

Plaque

A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives

Prophylaxis

Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains; a basic cleaning.

Root Canal Therapy

The treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions; taking the nerve out of a tooth.

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.

Scaling

Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.

Xerostomia

Decreased salivary secretion that produces a dry and sometimes burning sensation of the oral mucosa and/or cervical caries; dry-mouth.