Dental Dictionary

Our dentist and team here at Artistic Smiles have put together a dental dictionary to help cover some of the most common dental terms you might come across during your visit with Dr. Trey Thygerson. Here and in our dental glossary you can find information about most of the dental terms or procedure we use throughout our site or during your dental appointment with our dentist.

While we hope this dictionary will help you feel more informed about your dental care in Longmont, Colorado, it is not to substitute a consultation with a dental professional. We encourage you to reach out to us at 303-485-8888 if you have any questions about any of these terms or if you would like to schedule a consultation with our dentist in Longmont, Colorado.

A

abscess

severe inflammation at the root of the tooth or in the gum tissue, often accompanied by infection, pain, swelling and pus

abutment

a tooth or part of an implant to which a prosthetic appliance, such as a bridge or crown, is attached for support

ADA®

American Dental Association, an association of dental professionals in the U.S., known for providing dental health education

adhesion

part of the bonding process, when separate tissue surfaces are united

adhesive

any substance that is used to connect two or more surfaces to one another for an indefinite period of time

air abrasion

the use of a dental tool to blow air and tiny particles of aluminum oxide or silica onto a tooth to remove small amounts of tooth decaySee microabrasion

aligners

tight-fitting mouthpieces that slip over the teeth and are custom made in a series to correct misaligned teeth

alveolar

referring to the part of the jaw where the jawbone and teeth connect

anesthesia

medication used to block pain or induce partial or complete unconsciousness for treatment

anterior

the teeth or tissue at the front of the mouth

apex

the root tip of the tooth

apicoectomy

excision of the root tip of a tooth

appliance

general term for oral devices such as aligners, braces, retainers or mouth guards

arch

the curved structure of upper or lower teeth

attrition

the weakening or wearing down of teeth caused by grinding

avulsion

the extraction, or removal, of a tooth from its socketsee evulsion

B

base

substance used during dental restorations to insulate and protect tooth pulp from changes in temperature

bicuspid

the tooth located in front of the molars and behind the cuspids

bilateral

referring to both the right and left sides

biopsy

the removal and examination of tissue

bite

the physical relationship between the upper and lower teeth when they are in contact with each othersee occlusion

bleaching

the whitening of teeth, often with chemicals or laser treatment

block injection

anesthetic used to numb a large area of the mouth

bond

chemical or mechanical adhesion between two surfaces

bridge

a dental prosthetic attached to surrounding teeth or implants that is used to replace one or more missing teethsee partial denture

bruxism

the unconscious grinding of the teeth, often during sleep, that can lead to tooth wear and sensitivity, headaches and jaw pain

buccal

referring to the area near or facing the cheek

C

calcium

mineral that is essential to the formation and maintenance of health bones and teeth

calculus

an incrustation on the teeth from a buildup of plaque, may be stained brown or yellowsee tartar

canker sore

painful shallow ulcer in the mouth, usually whitish with a red “halo” and may last 10-14 days

cantilever bridge

dental bridge that attaches to teeth only on one side

cap

dental restoration used to encircle and protect a tooth or dental implantsee crown

caries

a progressive destruction of bone or tooth, also referred to as tooth decaysee cavity

cast

3D reproduction of a tooth or teethalso model

cavity

an area of decay in a toothsee caries

cellulitis

inflammation of soft tissue caused by infection

cementum

a specialized bony layer of tissue covering the outer surface of tooth rot

cephalometric imaging

an X-ray scan to show the face, teeth and jaws in relation to each other

CEREC

Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic, a method of reconstructing tooth restorations

clasp

the metal or acrylic portion of a partial denture that is used to attach to the natural teeth

cleaning

the removal of plaque and calculus from the teeth during a dental visitsee prophylaxis

complete denture

a complete set of prosthetic teeth used to replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower arches

composite resin

tooth-colored material used in for aesthetic dental treatments

coronal

referring to the crown of a tooth

cosmetic dentistry

area of dentistry primarily concerned with the aesthetic appearance of the teeth rather than health or function

crossbite

a type of malocclusion where the bite of the upper teeth fits inside the lower teeth

crown

the visible part of a tooth above the gumline, may also refer to a dental capsee cap

crown lengthening

dental treatment to surgically expose more tooth structure by manipulating the gum tissue

curettage

a surgical scarping or cleaning to remove infected tissue from periodontal pocket or bone

cusp

pointed or rounded mound on or near the chewing surface of a tooth

cuspid

the tooth located between the incisors and bicuspids, also known as the eyetooth or canine

D

DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery, a dental degree, equivalent to DMD

decay

the destruction of tooth structuresee cavity

deciduous teeth

the first teeth that arrive between the ages of birth and 3, also known as primary or baby teeth

dental implant

dental prosthetic made of a titanium post that is implanted in the jawbone

dentin

hard, dense layer of bone-like material that composes the main, inner layer of the tooth

dentition

the arrangement of teeth within the mouth

denture

prosthetic teeth in a set

diastema

a space between teeth

displaced tooth

a tooth that has shifted into a misaligned placement

distal

part of the tooth farthest from the center of the arch

DMD

Doctor of Medical Dentistry, a dental degree, equivalent to DDS

E

edentulous

term meaning toothless

emergency dentistry

field of dentistry concerned with facial trauma requiring prompt dental attention

enamel

the outer layer of the teeth covering the dentin

endodontics

field of dentistry concerned with tooth pulp and the surrounding areas

eruption

the protrusion of teeth through the gums

evulsion

the extraction of a tooth from its socketsee avulsion

exam

a regular dental treatment to check for potential issues before they become too serious

exostosis

a spur or bony outgrowth from the root of a tooth

exostosis

situated or occurring outside the mouth

extraction

tooth removal

extraction

common term for cuspid, also known as canine tooth

F

extraction

any of several materials, including porcelain, resin or metal, used in dental restorations to restore lost or damaged tooth structure

extraction

dental prosthetic that is attached to nearby teeth or implants made to be nonremovable by the patientsee prosthesis

fluoride

natural mineral used to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay

fluoride

crack or break in tooth structure

frenectomy

surgical procedure to remove the frenum

frenum

thin, connective tissue that attaches the cheeks, lips or tongue within the mouth

G

general dentistry

field of dentistry concerned with promoting good dental habits and maintaining overall oral health

gingiva

soft tissue that surrounds the teeth, also called gums or gum tissue

gingivectomy

surgical removal of gum tissue

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

gum contouring

surgical dental treatment to expose more tooth structure by manipulating the gum tissuesee crown lengthening

gum recession

shrinkage of gums, often due to periodontal disease

H

halitosis

a condition of having chronic bad breath

hygienist

dental professional trained to perform dental cleanings and provide patient education, is often certified to administer other dental functions

I

impacted tooth

a tooth that is unable to fully or partially erupt, remains embedded in soft tissue

implant

see dental implant

implant

four front center upper and lower teeth

implant

partial crown dental restoration that does not reach the cusps of the tooth

interproximal

adjacent dental surfaces between teeth on the same arch

interocclusal

referring to area between the bite of the upper and lower teeth

J

jacket crown

a prosthetic crown used for the front teeth

jaw

the maxilla or mandible bone

L

laughing gas

odorless gas that acts as a mild sedative when inhaledsee nitrous oxide

lingual

referring to the tongue

lip bumper

wire and plastic orthodontic appliance used to hold back the lower molars

M

malocclusion

abnormality in the coming together of teeth

mandible

the lower jaw

mandible

the upper jaw

maxillofacial

referring to or treating the upper jaw and face

maxillofacial

procedure in cosmetic dentistry to remove discoloration through mechanical and chemical means

model

3D reproduction of a tooth or teethalso cast

model

rearmost teeth

mouth guard

custom-made oral appliance to protect the mouth and teeth during rigorous activities, such as sports

N

night guard

oral appliance to protect teeth from grinding during sleep

nitrous oxide

odorless gas that acts as a mild sedative when inhaledsee laughing gas

O

occlusion

the physical relationship between the upper and lower teeth when they are in contact with each otheralso bite

onlay

partial crown dental restoration that covers one or more cusps of the tooth

oral

referring to the mouth

oral cancer

cancerous cells in the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth, also called mouth cancer

oral hygiene

the practice of oral care and treatment to keep the mouth clean and free of disease and other problems

oral pathology

dentistry specialty concerned with the nature, identification and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions

orthodontics

field of dentistry concerned with malocclusion and other abnormalities of the orofacial structure

orthognathic

referring to the functional relationship between the upper and lower jaws

osseous

referring to bone tissue

overbite

malocclusion in which the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth

P

palate

the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity

palliative treatment

treatment for pain relief only

partial denture

prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth but not a full upper or lower setsee bridge

pediatric dentistry

field of dentistry concerned with the treatment of infants, children and teenagers

periapical (PA)

referring to the tissue surrounding the apex of the root of a tooth

pericoronal

referring to the area surrounding the crown of a tooth

peri-implantitis

inflammation of the gums after a receiving a dental implant

periodontal

referring to the gums, or tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth

periodontics

field of dentistry concerned with treatment of the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth

periodontitis

inflammation of the supporting structures of the teeth, especially the gums

plaque

soft, sticky substance made up of food debris and bacteria that can accumulate on the teeth

post

a thin rod that provides support for tooth structure, can be inserted into tooth root or the jawbone

preventive dentistry

aspect of dentistry concerned with protecting oral health by promoting good oral hygiene and preventing the development of oral health issues

prophylaxis

professional dental cleaning to remove surface tooth stains, calculus and plaque

prosthesis

an artificial device to replace a missing tooth or part of a tooth

prosthodontics

field of dentistry concerned with restoring and replacing natural teeth through the use of dental prosthetics

pulp

center part of a tooth that contains connective tissue and blood vessels

pulpotomy

minimally invasive removal of tooth pulp, often performed for children’s teeth with significant tooth decay

R

radicular

referring to tooth root

resin

material used in dental restorations and treatments

resorption

the loss of bone or structure

restorative dentistry

field of dentistry concerned with restoring health and function to damaged teeth

retainer

dental appliance that keeps teeth in alignment after orthodontic treatment

root

the part of the tooth below the gums that attaches into the gums and socket

root canal

the pulp cavity inside the tooth root

root canal therapy

dental procedure involving the removal of the pulp in the root canal, performed to treat disease or injury in the tooth pulp

rubber dam

also called a dental dam, a thin sheet of latex used during some dental procedures to isolate the operative site from the rest of the mouth

S

sealant

thin, protective coating made from resin or plastic that is applied to the chewing surfaces of molars

sedation

the inducing of a relaxed, easy state using sedatives, especially nitrous oxide

sleep apnea

condition of interrupted breathing often caused by airway collapse, usually during sleep

space maintainer

appliance used after the premature loss of a primary tooth, fills the empty space and prevents shifting of surrounding teeth

sports mouth guard

see mouth guard

stomatitis

any of numerous inflammatory oral diseases

T

tartar

an incrustation on the teeth from a buildup of plaque, may be stained brown or yellow

temporomandibular joint

temporomandibular joint (TMJ)joint located on the side of the face just in front of the ear, connecting the jaw and the base of the skull

TMD

condition that involves pain and tension in the jaw and facial area and may restrict jaw movement

set of procedures decided on by the patient and [dr_type] to address oral health or aesthetic concerns

trench mouth

an infection that causes inflammation, ulcers and tissue loss in the gums

U

unerupted tooth

a tooth that has not broken through the gums

V

veneer

thin, porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve appearance

W

whitening

cosmetic dental treatment using a gel to remove stains and discolorations from tooth enamel

wisdom teeth

third and final set of molars in the rear of the mouth

Success Stories

Artistic Smiles is a welcoming and high quality dental office. My dental hygienist, Michelle, is thorough, gentle and the best hygienist I have ever experienced. Thank You Artistic Smiles!

Mary M.

As someone whose been afraid to go to the dentist - I've finally found the place for me. My hygienist Amy is wonderful, careful and gentle and thorough. They are all great!

Peg B.

Got me in next day for a cleaning. Friendly and painless.

Adam B.

Had my teeth cleaned on Friday. Great to see AMY again! She updated Me on the latest procedures available at Artistc Smiles to help keep my Smile Perfect! Amy really cares about Her patients! Thank You , Amy! You Rock!

Barbara M.

Artistic Smiles is A++ in my book! So pleased with the top notch care I have received there!

Jackie B.

Hours

DayHours

Monday8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Friday7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SaturdayClosed

SundayClosed


*Closed every other Monday and Friday

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  • 303-485-8888

  • 920 South Hover Rd.,

    Longmont, CO 80501

Monday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, *Friday - 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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