Glossary
Glossary of dental terms used on this site
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apex |
Pertaining to the tip/end of the tooth root. |
| Apicectomy |
A minor surgical procedure to remove the tip/end of the tooth root to eliminate the source of infection. |
| Arch |
Pertaining to the curved nature of the upper and lower jaws. The two arches in the oral cavity are the maxilla and mandible. |
| Articulator |
A mechanical device that holds models of a patients teeth in the same position as they lie in the mouth so that a dentist can study the bite relationship and jaw movements. |
| Asepsis |
The state of being germ free. |
| Aspirator |
A suction appliance that the dentist places in a patient's mouth to remove saliva, water and dental debris during dental procedures. |
| Attrition |
The wearing away of tooth substance due to activities such as chewing and grinding. |
| Autoclave |
A device used to sterilise instruments or materials. |
| Baby Teeth |
A child's first set of teeth that are progressively replaced by permanent teeth. Also known as primary, deciduous or milk teeth. Usually twenty in number. |
| Bicuspid |
The teeth which lie between the canines and molars having two cusps, they usually number eight in total, two in each quadrant. |
| Biomechanics |
Pertaining to the relationship between the forces applied during movement of living tissue, teeth and their related structures. |
| Bite |
How the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed. Also known as occlusion. |
| Bitewing X-rays |
X-ray view showing the coronal (above gum line) portion of the upper and lower teeth on the same film. |
| Bleaching |
Pertaining to the whitening of teeth with chemical agents. |
| Bonding |
Pertaining to the adhesion of materials to teeth for such procedures used to repair and/or change the colour or shape of a tooth. The process of attaching brackets (part of braces) to teeth using a dental adhesive for orthodontic treatment. |