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Dental Term Glossary

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A
Abscess	Acute of chronic, localized inflammation, with a collection of pus, associated with tissue destruction and, frequently, swelling, usually secondary to infection.
Periapical Abscess	Acute or chronic inflammation and pus formation at the end of a tooth root in the alveolar bone, secondary to infection.
Periradicular Abscess	Acute or chronic inflammation around a tooth root in the alveolar bone, secondary to infection.
Periodontal Abscess	Abscess of the gingiva or periodontal tissue to periodontal infection, as contrasted to periapical abscess or periradicular abscess.
Abutment	A tooth or implant used to support a prosthesis.
Abutment Crown	See crown.
Accession	Addition of a test specimen, previously collected by a health care provider, to a laboratory specimen collection; recording of essential specimen identification data in a laboratory-maintained file in chronological order of laboratory specimen acquisition; assignment to the specimen of an identification code.
Acid Etching	Use of an acidic chemical substance to prepare the tooth enamel and/or dentin surface to provide retention for bonding.
Adhesive	Any substance that joins or creates close adherence of two or more surfaces.
Allogenic	See Graft.
Alloplastic	Refers to synthetic material often used for tissue augmentation.
Alveolar	Referring to the bone to which a tooth is attached.
Alveoloplasty	Surgical procedure for recontouring alveolar structures, usually in preparation for a prosthesis.
Amalgam	An alloy used in direct dental restorations.
Analgesia	Loss of pain sensations without loss of consciousness.
Anatomical Crown	See Crown.
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 I; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate monitoring.
Regional Anesthesia	A term used for local anesthesia; See local anesthesia.
Anterior	Refers to the teeth and tissues located toward the front of the mouth; maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines.
Anxiolysis	Reduction of anxiety utilizing a pharmacologic agent such as a Benzodiazepine or nitrous oxide.
Apicoectomy	Amputation of the apex of a tooth.
Apex	The tip or end of the root end of the tooth.
Arch, Dental	The curved composite structure of the natural dentition and the residual ridge, or the remains thereof, after the loss of some or all of the natural teeth.
Artificial Crown	See crown.
Autogenous	See graft.
Avulsion	Separation of tooth from its socket due to trauma (evulsion).
B	back to top
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, right and left sides.
Biopsy	Process of removing tissue for histologic evaluation.
Bitewing Radiograph	Interproximal view radiograph of the coronal portion of the tooth.
Bonding	Process by which two or more components are made integral by mechanical and/or chemical adhesion at their interface.
Bridge	See fixed partial denture and/or removable partial denture.
Bruxism	The parafunctional grinding of the teeth.
Buccal	Pertaining to or around the cheek (as in the buccal surface of a posterior tooth).
By Report	A narrative description used to report a service that does not have a procedure code or is specified in a code as "by report;" may be requested by a third-party payer to provide additional information for claims processing.
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.
Mandibular Canal	The passage which transmits vessels and nerves through the jaw to branches that distribute them to the teeth.
Cantilever Extension	Part of a fixed prosthesis that is supported at only one end.
Caries	Commonly used term for tooth decay.
Cast	See diagnostic cast or study model.
Cavity	Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.
Cephalometric Radiograph	A radiographic head film utilized in the scientific study of the measurements of the head with relation to specific reference points.
Cement Base	Material used under a filling to replace lost tooth structure.
Cementum	Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.
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.
Clinical Crown	See crown.
Closed Reduction	The re-approximation of segments of a fractured bone without open surgery.
Composite	A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g., resin and quartz particles).
Compound Fracture	Break in bone which is exposed to external contamination.
Comprehensive Oral Evaluation	See evaluation.
Coping	A thin covering of the coronal portion of the tooth usually without anatomic conformity. It can be used as a definitive restoration or as part of a transfer procedure.
Coronal	Refers to the clinical crown of a tooth.
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 support bone.
Curettage	Scraping and cleaning the walls of a cavity or gingival pocket.
Cusp	Pointed or rounded eminence on or near the masticating surface of a tooth.
Cyst	Pathological cavity, usually lined with epithelium, containing fluid or soft matter.
Odontogenic Cyst	Cyst derived from the epithelium of odontogenic tissue (developmental, primordial).
Periapical Cyst	Cyst at the apex of a tooth with a non-vital pulp.
D
Debridement	Removal of subgingival and/or supragingival plaque and calculus which obstructs the ability to perform an evaluation; removal of contused and devitalized tissue from a wound surface.
Decay	The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure.
Deciduous	Having the property of falling off or shedding; a name used for the primary teeth.
Dental Prophylaxis	Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.
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	That part of a denture that makes contact with soft tissue and retains the artificial teeth.
Detailed and Extensive	See evaluation.
Diagnostic Cast	Plaster or stone model of teeth and adjoining tissues; also referred to as study model.
Diastema	A space, such as one between two adjacent teeth in the same dental arch.
Discectomy	Excision of the intra-articular disc of a joint.
Direct Pulp Cap	Procedure in which the exposed pulp is covered with a dressing or cement with he aim of maintaining pulp vitality.
Direct Restoration	A restoration fabricated inside the mouth.
Displaced Tooth	A partial evulsion of a tooth – may be mesial, distal, facial, lingual, or incisal.
Distal	Toward the back of the dental arch (or away from the midline).
Dry Socket	Localized inflammation of the tooth socket following extraction due to infection or loss of blood clot; osteitis.
E
Edentulous	Without teeth.
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.
Equilibration	Reshaping of the occlusal surfaces of teeth to create harmonious contact relationships between the upper and lower teeth; also known as occlusal adjustment.
Established Patient	Patient who has a record of recent care.
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 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.
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 perioprosthetic 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.
Evulsion	Complete separation of the tooth from its socket due to trauma (avulsion).
Excision	Surgical removal of bone or tissue.
Exostosis	Overgrowth of bone (see torus).
Extraoral	Outside the oral cavity.
Extracoronal	Outside the crown of a tooth.
Exudate	A material usually resulting from inflammation or necrosis that contains fluid, cells, and/or other debris.
F
Facial	The surface of a tooth directed toward the face (including the buccal and labial surfaces) and opposite the lingual surface. Facial surface equals buccal surface in the posterior or the labial in the anterior.
Filling	A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic, or porcelain.
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.
Foramen	Natural opening into or through bone.
Fracture	The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.
Frenum	Muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane that attaches the cheek, lips, and or tongue to associated dental mucosa.
Furcation	The anatomic area of a multirooted tooth where the roots diverge.
G
General Anesthesia	See anesthesia.
Gingiva	Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted.
Gingivitis	Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue.
Gingivectomy	The excision or removal of gingiva.
Gingivoplasty	Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.
Glass Ionomer	Glass polyalkenoate cement: material in which the solid powdered phase is a fluoride-containing aluminosilicate glass powder. The material is translucent and can be used as a restoration, a liner, and a luting agent.
Graft	A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency.
Allogenic Graft	Having cell types that are antigenetically distinct from patient’s cell type (usually freeze dried and/or irradiated).
Autogenous Graft	Taken from one part of a patient’s body and transferred to another.
Homologous Graft	A graft transplanted from a donor of the same species.
H
Hemisection	Surgical separation of a multi-rooted tooth.
Heterologous	Made up of tissue not normal to the part.
Histopathology	The study of disease processes at the cellular level.
Homologous	See graft.
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 – device specially designed to be place 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.
Incisal	Pertaining to the biting edges of the incisor and cuspid teeth.
Incisal Angle	One of the angles formed by the junction of the incisal and the mesial or distal surfaces of an anterior tooth; called the mesioincisal and distoincisal angle respectfully.
Indirect Pulp Cap	Procedure in which the nearly exposed pulp is covered with a protective dressing to protect the pulp from additional injury and to promote healing and repair via formation of secondary dentin.
Indirect Restoration	A restoration fabricated outside the mouth.
Inlay	An indirect intracoronal restoration; a dental restoration made outside the oral cavity to correspond to the form of the prepared cavity, which is then luted into the tooth.
Intentional Reimplantation	The intentional removal, radicular repair and replacement of a tooth into its alveolus.
Interproximal	Between the adjoining surfaces of adjacent teeth in the same arch.
Intracoronal	Referring to "within" the crown of a tooth.
Intraoral	Inside the mouth.
Intravenous	Conscious sedation (see anesthesia).
J
Jaw	A common name for either the maxilla or the mandible.
K
Keratin	A protein present in all cuticular structures of the body, such as hair, epidermis and horns.
Keratinized Gingiva	The oral surface of the gingiva extending from the mucogingival junction to the gingival margin. In gingival health, the coronal portion of the sulcular epithelium may also be keratinized.
L
Labial	Pertaining to or around the lip.
Lesion	An injury or wound; area of diseased tissue.
Limited Oral Evaluation	See evaluation.
Line Angle	An angle formed by the junction of two planes; used to designate the junction of two surfaces of a tooth, or of two walls of a tooth cavity preparation.
Lingual	Pertaining to or around the tongue; surface of the tooth directed toward the tongue; opposite of facial.
Local Anesthesia	See anesthesia.
Locus	A site or location.
M
Maintenance, Periodontal	Therapy for preserving the state of health of the periodontium.
Malar	Pertaining to the cheek bone; see zygomatic bone.
Malignant	Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis.
Malocclusion	Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
Maryland Bridge	Fixed partial denture feature conservative retainers which are resin bonded to abutments; see code D6545.
Maxilla	The upper jaw.
Mesial	Toward the midline of the dental arch; opposite of distal.
Metals, Classification of	The noble metal classification system has been adopted as a more precise method of reporting various alloys used in dentistry. The alloys are defined on the basis of the percentage of noble metal content: high noble – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum (Pt) ≥ 60% (with at least 40% Au); noble – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum (Pt) ≥ 25%; and predominantly base – Gold (Au), Palladium (Pd), and/or Platinum < 25%.
Molar	Teeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on either side of the jaw; grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces.
Moulage	A positive reproduction of a body part formed on a cast from a negative impression.
Mucous Membrane	Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities of the body; also called "mucosa."
N
Non-Autogenous	A graft from donor other than patient.
O
Obturator	A disc or plate which closes an opening; a prosthesis that closes an opening in the plate.
Occlusal	Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth or contacting surfaces of opposing teeth or opposing occlusion rims.
Occlusal Radiograph	An intraoral radiograph made with the film being held between the occluded teeth.
Occlusion	Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.
Odontogenic Cyst	See cyst.
Odontoplasty	Adjustment of tooth length, size, and/or shape; includes removal of enamel projections.
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.
Open Reduction	Re-approximation of fractured bony segments accomplished through cutting the adjacent soft tissues and bone to allow direct access.
Operculectomy	Removal of the operculum.
Operculum	The flap of tissue over an unerupted or partially erupted 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 Pathology	The specialty of dentistry and pathology concerned with recognition, diagnosis, investigation and management of diseases of the oral cavity, jaws, and adjacent structures.
Orthodontist	A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the interception and treatment of malocclusion of the teeth and their surrounding structures.
Orthognathic	Functional relationship of maxilla and mandible.
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.
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.
Panoramic Radiograph	An extraoral radiograph on which the maxilla and mandible are depicted on a single film.
Parafunctional	Other than normal function or use.
Partial Denture	Usually refers to a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth; (see fixed partial denture or removable partial denture).
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.
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.
Periapical	The area surrounding the end of the tooth root.
Periapical Abscess	See abscess.
Periapical Cyst	See cyst.
Periapical Radiograph	A radiograph made by the intraoral placement of film for disclosing the apices of the teeth.
Pericoronal	Around the crown of a tooth.
Periodic Oral Evaluation	See evaluation.
Periodontal	Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.
Periodontal Abscess	See abscess.
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.
Periradicular	Surrounding a portion of the root of the tooth.
Plaque	A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives.
Pontic	The term used for an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture (bridge).
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.
Premolar	See bicuspid.
Primary Dentition	The first set of teeth; see deciduous.
Prophylaxis	Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.
Prosthesis	Artificial replacement of any part of the body.
Dental Prosthesis	Any device or appliance replacing one or more missing teeth and/or, if required, associated structures. (This is a broad term which includes abutment crowns and abutment inlays/onlays, bridge, dentures, obturators, gingival prostheses).
Definitive Prosthesis	A prosthesis to be used over an extended period of time.
Fixed Prosthesis	Non-removable tooth or implant-borne dental prosthesis which is solidly attached to abutment teeth or roots or implants.
Interim Prosthesis	A provisional prosthesis designed for use over a limited period of time, after which it is to be replaced by a more definitive restoration.
Removable Prosthesis	Dental prosthesis designed to be removed and reinserted by the patient.
Prosthodontist	A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes.
Provisional	Formed or preformed for temporary purposes or used over a limited period; a temporary or interim solution; usually refers to a prosthesis or individual tooth restoration.
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.
Pulpitis	Inflammation of the dental pulp.
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.
Q
Quadrant	One of the four equal sections into which the dental arches can be divided; begins at the midline of the arch and extends distally to the last tooth.
R
Radicular	Pertaining to the root.
Rebase	Process of refitting a denture by replacing the base material.
Regional Block Anesthesia	See anesthesia.
Reline	Process of resurfacing the tissue side of a denture with new base material.
Reimplantation, Tooth	The return of a tooth to its alveolus.
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.
Resin-based Composite	See composite.
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.
Retrograde Filling	A method of sealing the root canal by preparing and filling it from the root apex.
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.
Residual Root	Remaining root structure following the loss of the major portion (over 75%) of the crown.
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 Planing	A procedure designed to remove microbial flora, bacterial toxins, calculus, and diseased cementum or dentin on the root surfaces and in the pocket.
S
Scaling	Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.
Sextant	One of the six relatively equal sections into which a dental arch can be divided, for example: tooth numbers 1-5; 6-11; 12-16; 17-21; 22-27; 28-32. Sometimes used for recording periodontal charting.
Sialodochoplasty	Surgical procedure for the repair of a defect and/or restoration of portion of a salivary gland duct.
Sialography	Inspection of the salivary ducts and glands by radiograph after the injection of a radiopaque medium.
Sialolithotomy	Surgical procedure by which a stone within a salivary gland or its duct is removed, either intraorally or extraorally.
Site	A term used to describe a single contiguous area, position, or locus. A single site is an area of communication that may involve adjacent teeth. All non-communicating areas are single sites.
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 of the mouth.
Stress Breaker	That part of a tooth-borne and/or tissue-borne prosthesis designed to relieve the abutment teeth and their supporting tissues from harmful stresses.
Study Model	Plaster or stone model of teeth and adjoining tissues; also referred to as diagnostic cast.
Suture	Stitch used to repair incision or wound.
T
Temporary Removable Denture	An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited periods of time.
Temporo-mandibular (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.
Tissue Conditioning	Material intended to be placed in contact with tissues, for a limited period, with the aim of assisting the return to a healthy condition.
Transitional	Relating to a passage or change from one position, state, phase, or concept to another.
Torus	A bony elevation or protuberance of bone; see exostosis.
Transplantation of Tooth	Transfer of a tooth from one socket to another, either in the same or a different person.
Transseptal	Through or across a septum.
Trismus	Restricted ability to open the mouth, usually due to inflammation or fibrosis of the muscles of mastication.
U
Unerupted	Tooth/teeth that have not penetrated the oral cavity.
Unilateral	One-sided; pertaining to or affecting but one side.
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.
Vestibuloplasty	Any of a series of surgical procedures designed to increase relative alveolar ridge height.
W
Wax Pattern	A wax form that is the positive likeness of an object to be fabricated.
X
Xerostomia	Decreased salivary secretion that produces a dry and sometimes burning sensation of the oral mucosa and/or cervical caries.
X-ray	Radiograph.
Y
Yeast	A general term for a fungus occurring as a unicellular, nucleated organism that usually reproduces by budding, although some yeasts may reproduce by fission, many producing mycelia or pseudomycelia.
Z
Zygomatic Bone	Quadrangular bone on either side of face that forms the cheek prominence (see malar).

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Dental Term Glossary

Abscess

Abutment

Abutment Crown

Accession

Acid Etching

Adhesive

Allogenic

Alloplastic

Alveolar

Alveoloplasty

Amalgam

Analgesia

Anatomical Crown

Anesthesia

Anterior

Anxiolysis

Apicoectomy

Apex

Arch, Dental

Artificial Crown

Autogenous

Avulsion

Benign

Bicuspid

Bilateral

Biopsy

Bitewing Radiograph

Bonding

Bridge

Bruxism

Buccal

By Report

Calculus

Canal

Cantilever Extension

Caries

Cast

Cavity

Cephalometric Radiograph

Cement Base

Cementum

Cleft Palate

Clenching

Clinical Crown

Closed Reduction

Composite

Compound Fracture

Comprehensive Oral Evaluation

Coping

Coronal

Crown

Crown Lengthening

Curettage

Cusp

Cyst

Debridement

Decay

Deciduous

Dental Prophylaxis

Dentin

Dentition

Denture

Denture Base

Detailed and Extensive

Diagnostic Cast

Diastema

Discectomy

Direct Pulp Cap

Direct Restoration

Displaced Tooth

Distal

Dry Socket

Edentulous

Enamel

Endodontist

Equilibration

Established Patient