Dental Terminology

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Wear to the teeth from an external source

Question 2

Alveolus

Answer 2

The cavity or socket in the jawbone that surrounds and supports the root

Question 3

Anterior crossbite

Answer 3

An orthodontic condition in which canine, premolar, and molar occlusion is normal but one or more mandibular incisors are anterior to the maxillary incisors

Question 4

Apex

Answer 4

Terminal portion of the root

Question 5

Apical

Answer 5

Towards the apex

Question 6

Attrition

Answer 6

Tooth to tooth wear

Question 7

Avulsion

Answer 7

The separation of the tooth from its alveolus

Question 8

Buccal

Answer 8

Surface of the tooth nearest the cheek ( posterior teeth)

Question 9

Calculus

Answer 9

Hard, mineralized plaque on the tooth surface

Question 10

Canine tooth

Answer 10

Large, single-root tooth designed for tearing and grasping

Question 11

Caries

Answer 11

A demineralization and loss of tooth structure due to action of micro-organisms on carbohydrates

Question 12

Cementum

Answer 12

Bony layer covering the root surface

Question 13

Coronal

Answer 13

Towards the crown

Question 14

Crown

Answer 14

The portion of the tooth covered with enamel

Question 15

Deciduous teeth

Answer 15

Teeth of the primary dentition “baby teeth”

Question 16

Distal

Answer 16

Away from the midline in the dental arches

Question 17

Enamel

Answer 17

The hard, shiny outer layer of the crown

Question 18

Endodontics

Answer 18

The diagnosis and treatment of diseases inside the tooth that affect the tooth pulp and apical periodontal tissues.

Question 19

Epithelial attachment

Answer 19

Tissue attaching the gingiva to the tooth

Question 20

Exodontics

Answer 20

Branch of dentistry that deals with extraction of teeth

Question 21

Facet

Answer 21

A flattened or worn spot on the surface of a tooth

Question 22

Gingiva

Answer 22

Soft tissue surrounding teeth

Question 23

Gingival hyperplasia

Answer 23

A pathological increase in the normal amount gingival tissue in a normal arrangement

Question 24

Gingival sulcus

Answer 24

The normal space created by the free gingiva and the tooth

Question 25

Halitosis

Answer 25

Unpleasant breath

Question 26

Incisal

Answer 26

Biting surface of anterior teeth

Question 27

Incisor

Answer 27

Small anterior tooth with a single root

Question 28

Interdental

Answer 28

The area between the proximal surfacesof adjacent teeth in the same arch

Question 29

Labial

Answer 29

Surface of the tooth nearest the lips (anterior teeth)

Question 30

Lingual

Answer 30

Surface of the tooth nearest the tongue

Question 31

Luxation

Answer 31

The displacement or partial displacement of a tooth from its' alveolus

Question 32

Mandible

Answer 32

The bone that forms the lower jaw

Question 33

Maxilla

Answer 33

The bone that forms most of the upper jaw

Question 34

Mental foramen

Answer 34

Openings in the mandible through which nerves and vessels pass

Question 35

Mesial

Answer 35

Toward the midline of the dental arch

Question 36

Molar

Answer 36

Large, multicusp teeth designed for grinding

Question 37

Occlusal

Answer 37

The chewing surfaces of the caudal teeth

Question 38

Odontoblast

Answer 38

The cells in the pulp that produce dentin

Question 39

Oronasal fistula

Answer 39

An abnormal opening between the oral and nasal cavity

Question 40

Orthodontics

Answer 40

Branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention and correction of irregularities of the teeth and malocclusion

Question 41

Palatal

Answer 41

Surface of the roof of the mouth towards the hard palate

Question 42

Palate

Answer 42

The structure that separates the oral and nasal cavities

Question 43

Periapical abscess ( or apical abscess)

Answer 43

An abscess at the apex of the root, involving the pulp and surrounding apical tissues

Question 44

Periodontal pocket

Answer 44

Pathologic increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus with loss of epithelial and periodontal ligament attachments

Question 45

Periodontal abscess

Answer 45

An abscess involving the periodontium

Question 46

Periodontal ligament

Answer 46

A network of fibers connecting the tooth to the bone

Question 47

Periodontics

Answer 47

Branch of dentistry that deals with the study and treatment of periodontal diseases

Question 48

Periodontium

Answer 48

The supporting structures of the teeth including the periodontal ligament, gingiva, cementum, and alveolar supporting bone

Question 49

Premolar

Answer 49

The teeth distal to the canine and mesial to the molars with one to three roots

Question 50

Plaque

Answer 50

A thin film covering the teeth, composed of bacteria, saliva, food particles, and sloughed epithelial cells

Question 51

Primary teeth

Answer 51

The first teeth to erupt they are replaced by adult teeth

Question 52

Pulp

Answer 52

Soft tissue component of the tooth consisting of blood and lymphatic vessels

Question 53

Pulp chamber

Answer 53

Portion of the crown containing the pulp

Question 54

Pulpitis

Answer 54

Inflammation of the pulp

Question 55

Pyorrhea

Answer 55

A discharge of pus from the periodontium

Question 56

Resorption

Answer 56

The loss of substance by a physiologic or pathologic process

Question 57

Root canal

Answer 57

Portion of the root containing the pulp

Question 58

Stomatitis

Answer 58

Inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth

Question 59

Sublingual

Answer 59

The structures and surfaces beneath the tongue

Question 60

Supernumerary teeth

Answer 60

Teeth in excess of the normal number of individual teeth

Question 61

Vertical bone loss

Answer 61

Bone loss at an acute angle to the root surface, forming an infrabony pocket.