Dental Glossary: Dental Terms Explained A-Z

A reference of 131 dental terms written in plain English. Every entry explains what the term means, when you are likely to hear it and how it affects treatment.

Browse dental terms by topic

Dental Anatomy Terms — The parts of a tooth, the tissues around it, and the landmarks clinicians name during an exam — defined in plain English.
Dental Conditions & Diagnoses — Cavities, gum disease, wear, infection and the other diagnoses that appear on a chart — what each one actually means.
Dental Procedure Terms — From a simple filling to a full-arch surgical case — the procedures clinicians perform, described step by step.
Dental Equipment & Technology Terms — Scanners, imaging systems, handpieces and chairside tools — the hardware vocabulary behind modern dentistry.
Orthodontic Terms — Braces, aligners, appliances and the movements they create — orthodontic vocabulary without the jargon.
Restoration & Material Terms — Crowns, bridges, inlays, composites and ceramics — what gets placed in the mouth, and what it is made of.
Dental Implant Terms — Fixtures, abutments, osseointegration and the surgical vocabulary of implant dentistry.
Preventive Dentistry Terms — Fluoride, sealants, prophylaxis, hygiene routines — the vocabulary of keeping problems from starting.
Cosmetic Dentistry & Practice Terms — Aesthetic treatments, anaesthesia options and the specialties behind them — the rest of the dental vocabulary.

Dental terms starting with A

Abfraction — Wedge-shaped notches at the gumline caused by tooth flexing under bite stress.
Abscess — A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth, often resulting in throbbing pain, swelling, and fever.
Abutment — An abutment is the connecting component that attaches a dental crown, bridge, or denture to a dental implant or to a natural tooth.
Air Abrasion — Air abrasion is a minimally invasive technique that uses a stream of fine particles (usually aluminium oxide) propelled by compressed air to remove decay or prepare a tooth surface without a drill.
Aligners — Clear aligners are a series of removable, transparent plastic trays that gradually shift teeth into a desired position, used as an alternative to traditional braces for mild to moderate orthodontic cases.
All-on-4 — A full-arch dental implant technique that replaces all teeth in an upper or lower jaw using just four strategically placed implants.
All-on-6 — A full-arch implant restoration that uses six implants per arch for added support and stability.
Alveolar Bone — The portion of the jaw that contains the tooth sockets and supports the teeth.
Amalgam — Dental amalgam is a silver-coloured filling material made from a blend of mercury, silver, tin, and copper, used for over 150 years to restore decayed teeth.
Ankylosis — Fusion of a tooth root directly to the surrounding jawbone.
Anterior Teeth — The teeth at the front of the mouth — incisors and canines — used for biting and smile aesthetics.
Apex Locator — An apex locator is an electronic device used during root canal treatment to measure the length of the tooth's root canal and locate the apical foramen (the tip of the root) without relying solely on X-rays.
Apicoectomy — An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure to remove the tip of a tooth's root, along with any surrounding infected tissue, when a conventional root canal has failed.
Articulating Paper — Thin ink-coated paper used by dentists to mark high spots where teeth contact during biting.
Articulator — An articulator is a mechanical device used to mount upper and lower dental casts so that the dentist or technician can simulate jaw movements when designing crowns, bridges, dentures, or full-mouth restorations.
Autoclave — An autoclave is a pressurised steam steriliser used in dental practices to kill all microorganisms (including spores) on instruments, ensuring patient safety between uses.

Dental terms starting with B

Bicuspid — A bicuspid (also called a premolar) is a transitional tooth located between the canines and molars, with two cusps used for tearing and grinding food.
Bitewing X-Ray — A small intraoral X-ray that captures the crowns of upper and lower back teeth in one image.
Bonding — Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured composite resin is applied to a tooth and hardened with a curing light to repair chips, close gaps, or improve appearance.
Bone Graft — A dental bone graft is a procedure that adds volume and density to the jaw in areas where bone has been lost, typically to support a future dental implant.
Braces — Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances made of brackets bonded to teeth and connected by archwires that gradually move teeth into proper alignment.
Bridge — A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth (pontic) to neighbouring teeth or implants (abutments).
Bruxism — Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, most often during sleep, that can wear down enamel and cause jaw pain or headaches.
Buccal — The tooth surface that faces the cheek.

Dental terms starting with C

CAD/CAM Dentistry — Computer-aided design and manufacturing technology used to design and mill dental restorations in-office.
Calculus — Dental calculus, commonly called tartar, is hardened plaque that has mineralised on tooth surfaces and can no longer be removed by brushing or flossing alone.
Canine — A canine is a pointed tooth located between the incisors and premolars, used for tearing food. Adults have four canines — one in each quadrant.
Caries — Dental caries, commonly called tooth decay or cavities, is the destruction of tooth enamel caused by acid-producing bacteria in dental plaque.
CBCT — Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a 3D dental imaging technology that captures detailed views of teeth, jaws, sinuses, and nerves using a single rotation of a cone-shaped X-ray beam.
Cementum — Cementum is the thin, bone-like layer that covers the root of a tooth and provides attachment for the periodontal ligament fibres that hold the tooth in its socket.
Cephalometric X-Ray — A side-profile X-ray of the skull used in orthodontic and orthognathic treatment planning.
Clear Aligners — Removable, transparent plastic trays that gradually move teeth into alignment.
Composite Resin — Composite resin is a tooth-coloured filling material made of a plastic matrix reinforced with glass or ceramic particles, used for fillings, bonding, and aesthetic restorations.
Cosmetic Dentistry — A branch of dental care focused on improving the appearance of teeth, gums, and smile.
Crossbite — A crossbite is a misalignment in which one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth instead of the outside, either at the front or sides of the mouth.
Crown — A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged, decayed, or aesthetically poor tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Crown Lengthening — A surgical procedure that exposes more tooth structure by reshaping gum and bone.
Curing Light — A curing light is a handheld dental device that emits high-intensity blue light (around 450 nm) to harden (polymerise) light-cured composite resins, adhesives, and sealants in seconds.
Cusp — A cusp is a raised, pointed projection on the chewing surface of a tooth. Molars and premolars typically have 2 to 5 cusps that interlock with opposing teeth during biting.

Dental terms starting with D

Deciduous Teeth — The 20 primary "baby" teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.
Dental Dam — A thin sheet of latex or silicone used to isolate one or more teeth during treatment.
Dentin — Dentin is the dense, calcified tissue that lies beneath the enamel and forms the bulk of a tooth. It is softer than enamel and contains microscopic tubules that connect to the nerve.
Denture — A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the surrounding tissues, available as a complete (full) denture for a fully edentulous arch or a partial denture when some natural teeth remain.
Diastema — A diastema is a visible gap or space between two teeth, most commonly between the two upper front teeth (midline diastema).
Digital Impression — A 3D scan of the teeth and gums captured with an intraoral scanner, replacing traditional putty impressions.
Distal — The surface of a tooth that faces away from the midline of the mouth, toward the back.
Dry Mouth — A condition where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva, also called xerostomia.
Dry Socket — A painful complication after extraction where the protective blood clot is lost.

Dental terms starting with E

E.max Crown — A premium all-ceramic dental crown made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic.
Edentulous — Describes a person or jaw with no remaining natural teeth.
Enamel — Enamel is the hard, outermost layer of a tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body, but unlike bone it cannot regrow once lost.
Endodontist — A dental specialist focused on the inside of the tooth and root canal therapy.
Erosion — Dental erosion is the irreversible loss of tooth surface caused by chemical (acid) dissolution rather than bacterial decay.
Extraction — A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone, performed when a tooth cannot be saved by restoration or root canal therapy.

Dental terms starting with F

Filling — A dental filling is a restoration that replaces tooth structure lost to decay, fracture, or wear, restoring the tooth's shape and function.
Flossing — Flossing is the daily practice of cleaning between the teeth using a thin filament (string floss) or interdental device to remove plaque and food debris that a toothbrush cannot reach.
Fluoride — Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse early stages of tooth decay.
Fluorosis — A cosmetic change in tooth enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development.
Frenectomy — A frenectomy is the surgical removal or modification of a frenulum — a small fold of tissue that connects the lip, cheek, or tongue to the gums or floor of the mouth.
Full Mouth Debridement — A preliminary cleaning to remove heavy plaque and tartar buildup so a proper exam and cleaning can follow.

Dental terms starting with G

Gingiva — The gingiva is the soft tissue (gums) that surrounds the teeth and covers the alveolar bone, forming a protective seal around each tooth.
Gingivitis — Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease, characterised by red, swollen gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing.
Glass Ionomer — A tooth-coloured filling material that bonds chemically to enamel and releases fluoride.

Dental terms starting with H

Halitosis — Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath, most often caused by sulphur-producing bacteria on the tongue, gum disease, or dry mouth.
Handpiece — A dental handpiece is the high-precision rotary instrument (drill) used to cut, polish, or finish tooth structure and restorative materials. It can be high-speed (air-driven) or low-speed (electric).
Hyperdontia — A condition where a person develops more teeth than normal.
Hypodontia — Hypodontia is the developmental absence of one or more teeth (excluding wisdom teeth). It is one of the most common dental developmental anomalies.

Dental terms starting with I

Immediate Loading — Placing a temporary or final restoration on a dental implant the same day it is surgically placed.
Impacted Tooth — A tooth that fails to erupt fully into the dental arch.
Implant — A dental implant is a titanium or zirconia post surgically placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root, supporting a crown, bridge, or denture.
Impression Tray — A U-shaped tray that holds impression material against the teeth to capture their shape.
Incisor — Incisors are the eight thin, sharp-edged front teeth (four upper, four lower) used to bite and cut food.
Inlay — An inlay is a custom-made restoration that fits within the cusps of a back tooth, used when a cavity is too large for a filling but too small for a full crown.
Interdental Brush — An interdental brush is a small, cone- or cylinder-shaped brush used to clean between teeth and around braces, bridges, or implants where regular floss may not reach effectively.
Interproximal — The area between two adjacent teeth, where flossing and interdental brushes clean.
Intraoral Camera — A small wand-shaped camera used to capture close-up images and video of teeth and soft tissues.
Intraoral Scanner — An intraoral scanner is a digital device that captures direct optical impressions of the teeth and gums, replacing traditional putty impressions for crowns, bridges, aligners, and implants.
Invisalign — A brand of clear, removable orthodontic aligners that gradually straighten teeth.

Dental terms starting with L

Labial — The tooth surface that faces the lips.
Lidocaine — Lidocaine is the most widely used local anaesthetic in dentistry, providing rapid and reliable numbing of soft tissue and teeth, usually combined with epinephrine to prolong its action.
Lingual — The tooth surface that faces the tongue.
Local Anesthesia — Local anaesthesia is the injection of a numbing medication near a tooth or area of the mouth to block pain during dental procedures while the patient remains fully awake.
Loupes — Dental loupes are magnifying glasses worn by dentists and hygienists to enhance visualisation during clinical procedures, improving precision and reducing eye strain.

Dental terms starting with M

Malocclusion — Malocclusion refers to misalignment of the teeth or an incorrect relationship between the upper and lower jaws when the teeth come together.
Mandible — The mandible is the lower jawbone, the only movable bone of the skull, which holds the lower teeth and forms the temporomandibular joint with the skull.
Maxilla — The maxilla is the upper jawbone, a fixed paired bone that forms the roof of the mouth, the floor of the nasal cavity and orbits, and houses the upper teeth.
Mesial — The tooth surface closest to the midline of the dental arch.
Mini Implant — A narrow-diameter dental implant typically used to stabilise dentures or replace small teeth.
Molar — Molars are the large, flat-topped teeth at the back of the mouth used to grind and crush food. Adults normally have 12 molars, including 4 wisdom teeth.
Mouthwash — Mouthwash is a liquid oral rinse used to freshen breath, reduce plaque, prevent cavities, or treat specific conditions such as gingivitis or dry mouth.

Dental terms starting with N

Night Guard — A custom-fitted appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from grinding.
Nitrous Oxide — Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is an inhaled sedative mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small mask to help anxious patients relax during dental treatment.

Dental terms starting with O

Occlusion — Occlusion is the way the upper and lower teeth contact each other when the jaws close, including both static contact (the bite) and dynamic contact during chewing and grinding.
Onlay — An onlay is a custom-made indirect restoration that covers one or more cusps of a back tooth, used when damage is too extensive for an inlay but the tooth does not need a full crown.
Open Bite — An open bite is a malocclusion in which the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed, leaving a vertical gap.
Oral Cancer — Malignant growth in the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, or throat.
Orthodontist — A dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects misaligned teeth and jaws.
Orthognathic Surgery — Corrective jaw surgery that repositions the upper or lower jaw to fix skeletal bite problems.
Osseointegration — The biological process where a dental implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone.
Overbite — An overbite is a vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when the jaws are closed. A small overbite is normal; a deep overbite can cause tooth wear and gum trauma.
Overjet — The horizontal distance the upper front teeth project beyond the lower front teeth.

Dental terms starting with P

Palatal Expander — An orthodontic appliance that widens the upper jaw.
Panoramic X-Ray — A single rotating X-ray that captures the entire upper and lower jaws in one image.
Periodontal Ligament — The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a network of collagen fibres that attaches the cementum of a tooth root to the surrounding alveolar bone, allowing tiny movements during chewing and acting as a shock absorber.
Periodontist — A dental specialist who treats diseases of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Periodontitis — Periodontitis is an advanced, irreversible form of gum disease in which inflammation destroys the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place, eventually leading to tooth mobility and loss.
Plaque — Dental plaque is a soft, sticky biofilm of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth and is the primary cause of cavities and gum disease.
Posterior Teeth — The teeth at the back of the mouth — premolars and molars — used primarily for chewing.
Prophylaxis — A routine professional cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, and stains.
Pulp — The pulp is the soft tissue at the centre of a tooth, containing the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that keep the tooth alive and sensitive to temperature and pressure.
Pulpitis — Pulpitis is inflammation of the dental pulp, usually caused by deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. It can be reversible (treated by removing the cause) or irreversible (requiring root canal or extraction).
Pulpotomy — Removal of the inflamed pulp from the crown of a tooth, leaving the root pulp intact.

Dental terms starting with R

Receding Gums — Gum recession is the gradual loss of gum tissue around a tooth that exposes the root surface, increasing sensitivity and risk of decay.
Remineralization — Remineralization is the natural repair process in which minerals (mainly calcium and phosphate) are redeposited into early enamel lesions, reversing the first stage of tooth decay.
Retainer — A retainer is a custom-made orthodontic appliance worn after braces or aligner treatment to hold the teeth in their new position while the surrounding bone stabilises.
Root Canal — A root canal is a treatment that removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, then cleans, fills, and seals the root to save the tooth from extraction.

Dental terms starting with S

Scaling — Scaling is the professional removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surfaces of the teeth, both above and below the gum line, using hand instruments or ultrasonic scalers.
Scaling and Root Planing — A deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths root surfaces.
Sealant — A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to fill in deep grooves and prevent cavities.
Sedation — Dental sedation is the use of medication to help patients relax during treatment. It ranges from mild (nitrous oxide), to moderate (oral or IV sedation), to deep sedation and general anaesthesia.
Sensitivity — Tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) is short, sharp pain triggered by cold, hot, sweet, or acidic stimuli when exposed dentin tubules transmit fluid movement to the nerve.
Sinus Lift — A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw in the area of the molars and premolars by lifting the floor of the maxillary sinus, in preparation for dental implants.
Smile Design — Smile design is a planned cosmetic dentistry approach that combines facial aesthetics, dental proportions, and digital tools to create a personalised treatment plan for an improved smile.

Dental terms starting with T

Tartar — Tartar, also called calculus, is hardened plaque that has mineralised onto teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional with scaling instruments.
TMJ Disorder — TMJ disorder (temporomandibular disorder) refers to a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint and the muscles that control jaw movement, causing pain, clicking, and limited motion.

Dental terms starting with U

Underbite — An underbite is a malocclusion in which the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when the jaws are closed.

Dental terms starting with V

Veneer — A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its colour, shape, or alignment.

Dental terms starting with W

Whitening — Tooth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that uses peroxide-based bleaching agents to lighten the colour of natural teeth, available as in-office, take-home, or over-the-counter treatments.
Wisdom Tooth — A wisdom tooth (third molar) is the last tooth to erupt at the back of each quadrant of the mouth, typically appearing between ages 17 and 25. Many people lack space and require removal.

Dental terms starting with X

Xerostomia — Xerostomia is the medical term for chronic dry mouth caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, often as a side effect of medications, certain diseases, or radiation therapy.

Dental terms starting with Z

Zirconia — Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a high-strength, tooth-coloured ceramic widely used in modern dentistry for crowns, bridges, implants, and full-arch restorations.

How to use this dental dictionary

Definitions are grouped alphabetically and by topic so you can move from a single unfamiliar word to the wider subject around it. Each term links to a full entry with context, related terms and, where relevant, the equipment or materials involved.

Patients can use it to decode a treatment plan or an insurance statement. Dental professionals can use it as a shared vocabulary when explaining procedures to patients.