Dental Dictionary

Fluoride: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly used to strengthen and protect your teeth against acid. We find this in drinking water, toothpaste, and more. In-office fluoride treatments are sometimes suggested to further fight against cavities.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a term used to refer to gum inflammation. If left untreated, it may progress into periodontitis, or gum disease.

Inlays and Onlays: An inlay is a dental restoration that replaces tooth material in-between the cusps of a tooth, while an onlay is a dental restoration that covers one or more cusps of the tooth.

Malocclusion: Malocclusion is a misalignment of the teeth.

Open Bite: An open bite is a form of malocclusion that occurs when your upper and lower teeth do not meet.

Overbite: An overbite is a form of malocclusion which occurs when your upper teeth are positioned in front of your bottom teeth.

Underbite: An underbite is a form of malocclusion that occurs when your bottom teeth are positioned in front of your upper teeth.

Palate: The palate refers to the roof of your mouth.

Periodontics: Periodontics is the study of gum disease.

Prosthesis: A dental prosthesis replaces teeth or tooth material, restoring your mouth’s appearance and functionality.

Pulp: Pulp refers to the nerves, tissues, and other vessels that can be found in the center of every tooth.

Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar, while root planing smooths out the roots of your teeth. This form of dental cleaning is often used to treat gum disease.

Sealant: A sealant is a thin, plastic coating that protects teeth from cavities.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): The temporomandibular joints connect your jaw and skull.

Veneer: A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-like material attached to the front of teeth. They are typically used in cosmetic dentistry to resolve a variety of aesthetic concerns.

Wisdom Tooth: Wisdom teeth are the hindmost molars, which are typically the last to erupt.

Whitening: Whitening restores the natural color of a tooth. While often used interchangeably with the term “bleaching,” the latter term only refers to processes which whiten teeth beyond their natural color.