Start here · Glossary · 163 terms

Plain-English glossary

The words you'll hear around the chair, the sterilization room and the front desk, each in a sentence or two. Words underlined with dots anywhere on the site link here.

A

Abrasion: Tooth wear from rubbing by something other than teeth, such as hard brushing. It often notches teeth near the gumline.
Abscess · infection, swelling: A pocket of pus from a bacterial infection, at the root tip or in the gums. It can cause pain and swelling.
Abutment: A tooth or implant part that supports a bridge, denture or crown. On an implant, it connects the post to the crown.
Aerosol and spatter · aerosol: The fine mist and larger droplets made by handpieces, scalers and air polishers. HVE, masks and eyewear reduce exposure.
ALARA · as low as reasonably achievable: The rule to keep radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable. Take only needed images with the right settings.
Alginate · irreversible hydrocolloid: A powder mixed with water to take impressions for study models and trays. It sets in a few minutes.
Alveolar bone: The part of the jawbone that holds the tooth sockets. It is lost in periodontitis.
Amalgam · silver filling: A silver-colored filling made by mixing mercury with a silver, tin and copper alloy. It is about 50% mercury.
Anterior teeth · anteriors, front teeth: The incisors and canines at the front of the mouth. They cut and tear food.
Apex: The very tip of a root. Nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth through a tiny opening here.
Apical: Toward the tip (apex) of the root. The opposite of coronal.
Arch · dental arch: The curved row of teeth in one jaw. There are two: the maxillary arch and the mandibular arch.
Aseptic technique: Working in a way that keeps sterile items and areas from getting contaminated. Examples include opening sterile packs without touching the contents.
Attrition: Tooth wear from teeth grinding against teeth. It flattens the biting edges.

B

Barrier · barrier film, sleeve: A plastic cover placed on a surface or device to keep it clean during care. It is changed after every patient.
Bite registration · bite, occlusal record: A record of how the upper and lower teeth fit together. It lets the lab line up the models.
Bitewing (BWX) · BWX, bitewings: An x-ray that shows the crowns of upper and lower back teeth together. It is the best view for decay between teeth.
Bleeding on probing · BOP: Bleeding when the probe is gently placed in the sulcus. It is a sign of inflammation.
Bloodborne pathogens · BBP: Germs in blood that cause disease, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. OSHA has a standard to protect workers from them.
Bonding agent · bond, adhesive: A thin resin that helps composite stick to the tooth. It is light-cured.
Bridge · fixed partial denture, FPD: A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth, attached to the teeth or implants on each side. The supporting teeth are called abutments.
Bruxism · grinding, clenching: Grinding or clenching the teeth, often during sleep. It wears teeth and can strain the jaw.
Buccal: Toward the cheek. Used for the cheek-side surface of premolars and molars.

C

Calculus · tartar: Hardened (mineralized) plaque stuck to teeth or restorations. Only professional instruments can remove it.
Caries · cavity, decay: Tooth decay: acids from plaque bacteria dissolve tooth minerals. Early decay can be reversed; cavities need treatment.
CBCT · cone beam CT, 3D x-ray: A 3D x-ray of the teeth and jaws. It is used for implants and complex cases and usually gives more radiation than standard x-rays.
CDC · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The federal public health agency whose dental infection-control guidelines set the standard of care. Its guidelines are recommendations, not laws.
CDT code · procedure code, ADA code: A code from the ADA's Current Dental Terminology that names each procedure for records and insurance claims. For example, there are separate codes for adult and child prophies.
CEJ (cementoenamel junction) · CEJ: The line where the enamel of the crown meets the cementum of the root. It is a key landmark for measuring gum recession and attachment loss.
Cementum: The thin, bone-like layer covering the root. Fibers of the periodontal ligament attach to it.
CFU (colony-forming unit) · CFU/mL: A count of live bacteria in a sample. Dental water should have 500 CFU/mL or fewer.
Chart (dental record) · EHR, patient record: The legal record of everything about a patient's care. Entries must be accurate, dated and never erased.
Chemical indicator · CI: A strip, tape or ink that changes color when exposed to sterilizing conditions. It goes on and in every package.
Clinical contact surface: A surface touched or splashed during care, such as light handles and chair controls. It gets a barrier or is disinfected between patients.
Composite · white filling, tooth-colored filling, resin: A tooth-colored filling made of resin and fine filler particles. It is bonded to the tooth and hardened with a curing light.
Comprehensive oral evaluation · comp exam, new patient exam: A thorough first exam of the teeth, gums, mouth, head and neck plus the medical history. It often includes x-rays and perio charting.
Contact (contact point) · contact area: The spot where two neighboring teeth touch. Floss has to pass through it.
Core buildup · buildup: Rebuilding a broken-down tooth with filling material so it can hold a crown. It is done before the crown preparation.
Coronal: Toward the crown of the tooth. The opposite of apical.
Coronal polishing · polish: Removing stain and plaque from crowns with a rubber cup and paste. It is done selectively, only where stain remains.
Critical item: An instrument that goes into soft tissue or bone, such as a scaler. It must be sterilized.
Cross-contamination: Spreading germs from one person, surface or item to another. Hand hygiene, barriers and sterilization prevent it.
Crown (anatomy) · anatomic crown: The part of the tooth covered by enamel. Most of it shows above the gums.
Crown (restoration) · cap: A restoration that covers the whole visible part of a tooth or sits on an implant. It usually takes two visits or a same-day milling machine.

D

DANB · Dental Assisting National Board: The national organization that offers dental assisting exams and certifications, such as the CDA. Many states use its exams.
DDS / DMD · dentist: The two equal degrees a US dentist can hold: Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine. They mean the same thing.
Dental cement · luting cement: Material that holds crowns, bridges and other fixed restorations in place. Permanent and temporary cements are different products.
Dentin: The layer under the enamel and cementum that makes up most of the tooth. It has tiny tubes, which is why exposed dentin can feel sensitive.
Dentin hypersensitivity · sensitivity, sensitive teeth: Short, sharp pain from exposed dentin when touched by cold, air or sweets. Other causes such as decay must be ruled out.
Denture · full denture, complete denture: A removable replacement for all the teeth in an arch. It rests on the gums or snaps onto implants.
Disinfection: Killing most germs on a surface or object, but not necessarily all spores. Disinfectants come in low, intermediate and high levels.
Distal: Away from the midline of the dental arch. The distal surface of a tooth faces away from the center, toward the back of the arch.

E

Edentulous · toothless: Having no teeth. A partially edentulous mouth is missing some teeth.
Enamel: The hard outer layer of the crown. It is the hardest substance in the body.
EPA · Environmental Protection Agency: The federal agency that registers surface disinfectants and regulates dental amalgam wastewater. Look for the EPA registration number on disinfectants.
Erosion: Loss of tooth surface from acids not made by bacteria, such as soda, citrus or stomach acid. Teeth look smooth and glassy.
Etchant · etch: An acid gel (usually 35 to 37% phosphoric acid) that roughens enamel so resin can bond. It is rinsed off before bonding.
Event-related sterility · event-related shelf life: The idea that a sterile pack stays sterile until something damages it, such as a tear or water. Packs are still dated.
Exposure incident: Blood or OPIM contact through a needlestick, cut, splash or broken skin. Report it right away.
Extraction · ext, pulling a tooth: Removing a tooth or parts of a tooth. A surgical extraction involves cutting gum or bone.

F

Facial · F: The surface facing the cheeks or lips. It is the umbrella term for buccal and labial.
FDA · Food and Drug Administration: The federal agency that clears or approves medical devices, including sterilizers, and approves drugs. Sterilizers used in dentistry must be FDA-cleared.
Fluoride: A mineral that strengthens enamel and helps reverse early decay. Offices apply it as varnish, gel or foam.
Fluoride varnish application · FV, varnish: Painting a thin layer of fluoride varnish on the teeth to help prevent decay. Higher-risk patients get it every 3 to 6 months.
FMX (full mouth series) · FMX, full mouth x-rays, FMS: A set of periapical and bitewing x-rays that shows every tooth. A typical adult set is about 18 to 20 images; since 2023 the ADA procedure code no longer sets a number.
Four-handed dentistry: An operator and assistant working together, seated, with the patient lying back. It saves time and motion.
Full mouth debridement · FMD: A gross removal of heavy plaque and calculus so the dentist can do a full exam. It is a first step, not a full cleaning.
Furcation: The area where the roots of a multi-rooted tooth split apart. Bone loss here is hard to clean and treat.

G

Gingiva · gums, gingival tissue: The gum tissue that surrounds the necks of the teeth and covers the jawbone. Healthy gingiva is pink and firm.
Gingival recession · recession: When the gum line moves down and exposes the root. It is measured from the CEJ to the gum edge.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums caused by plaque, with redness, swelling and bleeding. It is reversible with good cleaning.
Glass ionomer · GI: A tooth-colored material that bonds chemically to tooth and releases fluoride. It is used for some fillings, liners and cements.
Gypsum · plaster, stone: The powder family used to pour models from impressions. Plaster is softer; stone and die stone are stronger.

H

Halitosis · bad breath: Bad breath. Most cases come from bacteria on the tongue and in gum pockets.
High-level disinfection · HLD: Killing all germs except large numbers of spores. It is only for heat-sensitive semicritical items.
HIPAA: The federal law that protects patients' health information. Share patient details only as needed for care and business.
Housekeeping surface: Floors, walls and sinks that are not touched during care. They are cleaned with detergent or a hospital disinfectant on a schedule.

I

Impacted tooth · impaction: A tooth that cannot fully come in because something blocks it. Wisdom teeth and canines are the most common.
Implant · dental implant: A metal post (usually titanium) placed in the jawbone to replace a tooth root. A crown, bridge or denture attaches to it.
Impression: A mold of the teeth and tissues, taken with material in a tray or with a digital scanner. It is used to make models, crowns and appliances.
Incisal · I: The biting edge of incisors and canines. Front teeth have an incisal edge instead of an occlusal surface.
Informed consent · consent: The patient's agreement to treatment after hearing the benefits, risks and alternatives. It is documented in the chart.
Inlay: A restoration made outside the mouth that fits inside the tooth's cusps. It is cemented or bonded in place.
Interproximal: Between two teeth that sit next to each other in the same arch. Bitewings are good at showing decay here.

L

Labial: Toward the lips. Used for the lip-side surface of front teeth.
Limited (problem-focused) exam · emergency exam, limited exam: An exam that looks at one specific problem, such as a toothache. It is not a full check-up.
Liner and base · liner, base: Materials placed under a filling in a deep cavity to protect the pulp. Liners are very thin coats; bases are thicker layers. Glass ionomer and calcium hydroxide are examples.
Lingual · L: Toward the tongue. Used for the inside surface of lower teeth, and often upper teeth too.
Local anesthesia · shot, injection, numbing: An injection that numbs a tooth or area for treatment. Lidocaine with epinephrine is the standard, widely used drug.
Local anesthetic cartridge · carpule, cartridge: A small glass tube of anesthetic that fits into the dental syringe. It is single-patient use.

M

Malocclusion: A bite where the teeth do not line up correctly. Orthodontics treats it.
Mandibular · lower: Having to do with the lower jaw (mandible). Mandibular teeth are the lower teeth.
Maxillary · upper: Having to do with the upper jaw (maxilla). Maxillary teeth are the upper teeth.
Medical history · health history, med hx: The record of the patient's health conditions, medications and allergies. It is reviewed and updated at every visit.
Mesial: Toward the midline of the dental arch. The mesial surface of a tooth faces the front center of the mouth.
Midline: The imaginary line that divides the face and mouth into right and left halves. It falls between the two central incisors.
Mixed dentition: The stage when a child has both primary and permanent teeth. It usually runs from about age 6 to 12.
Mobility · loose tooth: How much a tooth moves when pushed. It is graded and recorded on the perio chart.

N

Night guard · occlusal guard, bite splint: A custom plastic appliance worn at night to protect teeth from grinding. It is made from impressions or scans.
Nitrous oxide sedation · laughing gas, N2O: Breathing nitrous oxide with oxygen to relax during treatment. The patient stays awake and responds.
Noncritical item: An item that touches only intact skin, such as a blood pressure cuff. It is cleaned and disinfected.

O

Occlusal · O: The chewing surface of premolars and molars. It is the surface that meets the opposing teeth.
Onlay: A restoration made outside the mouth that covers one or more cusps. It is between an inlay and a full crown.
Operatory · op: A treatment room in the dental office. Each has a chair, light and delivery unit.
OPIM · other potentially infectious materials: OSHA's term for body fluids other than blood that can carry disease. In dentistry, saliva is treated as OPIM.
Oral cancer screening · head and neck exam: A look-and-feel check of the mouth, jaw and neck for unusual spots or lumps. It is part of every comprehensive and periodic exam.
OSHA · Occupational Safety and Health Administration: The federal agency that sets enforceable workplace safety rules, including bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication. It protects workers.

P

Palatal: Toward the palate (roof of the mouth). Another name for the inside surface of upper teeth.
Panoramic (pano) · pano, panorex: One wide x-ray of both jaws and all the teeth, taken by a machine that circles the head. It does not show small cavities well.
Partial denture · partial, RPD: A removable appliance that replaces some missing teeth and clasps onto remaining teeth. It is taken out for cleaning.
Periapical (PA) · PA: An x-ray that shows a whole tooth from crown to root tip and the bone around it. It is used for abscesses and root problems.
Perio charting · periodontal charting, probing: Recording pocket depths, bleeding, recession and other findings around every tooth. Six readings are taken per tooth.
Periodic oral evaluation · recall exam, periodic exam: The dentist's check-up exam at regular recall visits. It looks for changes since the last visit.
Periodontal ligament (PDL) · PDL: The tiny fibers that hold the tooth root to the jawbone. They also cushion chewing forces.
Periodontal maintenance · perio maintenance, perio recall: Ongoing cleanings for patients who have been treated for periodontitis. They are often every 3 months.
Periodontal pocket · pocket: A sulcus that has deepened from disease. Pockets are measured in millimeters with a probe.
Periodontitis · periodontal disease, gum disease: Gum disease that destroys the tissues and bone holding the teeth. Lost bone and attachment do not grow back on their own, and the disease is staged and graded.
Permanent teeth · adult teeth: The second set of 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth. They are numbered 1 to 32 in the Universal system.
PID (position-indicating device) · cone: The round or rectangular tube on the x-ray head that aims the beam. Rectangular PIDs lower the patient's dose.
Plaque (dental biofilm) · biofilm, plaque: A soft, sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. It causes decay and gum disease if not removed.
Porcelain (ceramic) · ceramic, PFM: A glass-like, tooth-colored material used for crowns, veneers and inlays. PFM means porcelain fused to metal.
Posterior teeth · posteriors, back teeth: The premolars and molars at the back of the mouth. They crush and grind food.
PPE (personal protective equipment) · PPE: Gear that protects you from germs and chemicals: gloves, masks, eyewear, face shields and gowns. Your employer must provide it.
Primary teeth · baby teeth, deciduous teeth: The first set of 20 teeth. They are lettered A to T in the Universal system.
Probing depth numbers · pocket readings, perio numbers: The millimeter numbers called out during perio charting. About 1 to 3 mm is usually healthy; 4 mm or more suggests a pocket.
Prophy (prophylaxis) · cleaning, adult prophy, child prophy: A preventive cleaning that removes plaque, calculus and stain. It is for patients without active periodontitis.
Prophy paste: A gritty polishing paste used in a rubber cup. It comes in fine to coarse grits.
Proximal: A surface that faces a neighboring tooth. Each tooth has a mesial and a distal proximal surface.
PSP plate · phosphor plate: A thin flexible receptor that stores the x-ray image until a scanner reads it with a laser. Light erases it.
Pulp · nerve: The soft tissue in the center of the tooth with nerves and blood vessels. Patients often call it the nerve.
Pulpotomy · baby root canal: Removing the infected pulp from the crown part of a tooth while leaving the root pulp. It is common in primary teeth.
PVS (polyvinyl siloxane) · VPS, silicone impression: A precise rubbery impression material used for crowns and bridges. It stays accurate for days.

Q

Quadrant · quad: One quarter of the mouth. The four are upper right, upper left, lower left and lower right.

R

Radiograph · x-ray, film, image: A picture made with x-rays that shows teeth, bone and other hidden structures. Dentists order them only when needed.
Radiolucent: Dark on an x-ray, because x-rays passed through easily. Decay, pulp and abscesses look radiolucent.
Radiopaque: Light or white on an x-ray, because x-rays were blocked. Enamel, metal fillings and bone look radiopaque.
RDH · registered dental hygienist, hygienist: A licensed dental hygienist. Hygienists clean teeth, take x-rays, chart and teach patients, within state rules.
Recall (recare) · recare, hygiene recall, continuing care: The schedule of return visits for cleanings and exams. The interval depends on the patient's risk.
Regulated medical waste · biohazard waste, red bag waste: Waste that could release blood or OPIM, plus sharps and tissue. It needs special containers and disposal.
Restoration · filling: Any treatment that rebuilds missing or decayed tooth structure, such as a filling or crown. Direct restorations are placed in the mouth in one visit.
Root: The part of the tooth anchored in the jawbone and covered by cementum. Teeth have one to three roots or more.
Root canal treatment · RCT, endo, root canal: Treatment that removes infected or damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them. The tooth often needs a crown afterward.
Root planing: Smoothing root surfaces as part of periodontal therapy so the gums can heal. Today the goal is removing deposits, not removing cementum.

S

Scaling: Removing calculus and plaque from tooth surfaces with hand or power instruments. It can be above or below the gumline.
SDS · safety data sheet: The 16-section sheet that explains a chemical's hazards and safe handling. Your office must keep one for each hazardous product.
Sealant · sealants: A thin coating, usually resin, placed in the grooves of back teeth to prevent decay. Resin sealants are light-cured; glass ionomer sealants are an option when the tooth is hard to keep dry.
Semicritical item: An item that touches mucous membranes but does not cut them, such as a mirror or handpiece. It is heat-sterilized whenever possible.
Sensor · digital sensor: A rigid digital receptor that sends the x-ray image straight to the computer. It is covered with a barrier for each patient.
Sextant: One sixth of the mouth: each arch split into right posterior, anterior and left posterior. Used in some periodontal screening.
Sharps: Anything that can cut or puncture skin, such as needles, blades and wires. Contaminated sharps go in a sharps container.
Spore test · biological indicator, BI: A test with very tough bacterial spores that shows whether a sterilizer is killing germs. It is done at least weekly.
SRP (scaling and root planing) · deep cleaning, quad scaling: Treatment for periodontitis that removes calculus and biofilm from root surfaces below the gums. It is usually done by quadrant, often with local anesthesia.
Standard precautions: Treating every patient's blood and body fluids as possibly infectious. In dentistry, saliva counts.
Sterilization: A process that kills all microbes, including spores. Heat sterilization is used for dental instruments.
Sulcus · gingival sulcus: The shallow groove between the tooth and the gum. When it gets deeper because of disease, it is called a pocket.

T

TMD (temporomandibular disorder) · TMJ, TMD: Problems with the jaw joint or chewing muscles, such as pain, clicking or limited opening. TMJ is the joint itself.
Treatment plan · tx plan: The list of recommended procedures for a patient, in order, with alternatives. It is reviewed with the patient before work begins.

U

Universal Numbering System · tooth numbers: The US system for naming teeth. Permanent teeth are 1 to 32, starting at the upper right third molar; baby teeth are lettered A to T.

V

Veneer: A thin, tooth-colored covering bonded to the front of a tooth. It improves color, shape or alignment.
Vertical bitewing: A bitewing turned on its side to show more bone height. It is used for patients with periodontal disease.

W

White spot lesion · demineralization: A chalky white area where enamel has lost minerals. It is the earliest visible stage of decay and can be reversed.
Whitening · bleaching: Lightening the color of natural teeth with peroxide gels, at home with trays or in the office. It does not change fillings or crowns.

X

Xerostomia · dry mouth: Dry mouth from too little saliva. Many medications cause it, and it raises the risk of decay.