Glossary

abutment: A tooth or implant fixture used as a support for a prosthesis.

abutment crown: Artificial crown also serving for the retention or support of a dental prosthesis.

alloy: Compound combining two or more elements having properties not existing in any of the single constituent elements. Sometimes used to refer to amalgam.

amalgam: An alloy used in direct dental restorations. Typically composed of mercury, silver, tin and copper along with other metallic elements added to improve physical and mechanical properties.

artificial crown: Restoration covering or replacing the major part, or the whole of the clinical crown of a tooth, or implant.

bleaching: Process of lightening of the teeth, usually using a chemical oxidizing agent and sometimes in the presence of heat.  Removal of deep seated intrinsic or acquired discolorations from crowns of vital and non-vital teeth through the use of chemicals, sometimes in combination with the application of heat and light.  Bleaching has been achieved through short and long term applications of pastes or solutions containing various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.  Normally applied externally to teeth; may be used internally for endodontically treated teeth.

bruxism: The parafunctional grinding of the teeth.

bonding: Process by which two or more components are made integral by mechanical and/or chemical adhesion at their interface.

calculus: Hard deposit of mineralized substance adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth or prosthetic devices.

cantilever extension: Part of a fixed prosthesis that extends beyond the abutment to which it is attached and has no additional support.

caries: Commonly used term for tooth decay.

cavity: Missing tooth structure. A cavity may be due to decay, erosion or abrasion. If caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.

ceramic: Non-metal, non-resin inorganic refractory compounds processed at high temperatures (600°C/1112°F and above) and pressed, polished or milled – including porcelains, glasses, and glass-ceramics. See porcelain/ceramic.

complete denture: A prosthetic for the edentulous maxillary or mandibular arch, replacing the full dentition.  Usually includes six anterior teeth and eight posterior teeth.

composite: A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).

coping: A thin covering of the coronal portion of the tooth usually without anatomic conformity. Custom made or pre-fabricated thimble-shaped core or base layer designed to fit over a natural tooth preparation, a post core, or implant abutment so as to act as a substructure onto which other components can be added to give final form to a restoration or prosthesis. It can be used as a definitive restoration or as part of a transfer procedure.

core buildup: the replacement of a part or all of the crown of a tooth whose purpose is to provide a base for the retention of an indirectly fabricated crown.

cracked tooth syndrome: A collection of symptoms characterized by transient acute pain experienced when chewing.

crown:  An artificial replacement that restores missing tooth structure by surrounding the remaining coronal tooth structure, or is placed on a dental implant. It is made of metal, ceramic or polymer materials or a combination of such materials.  It is retained by luting cement or mechanical means. (American College of Prosthodontics; The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms). See also abutment crown, anatomical crown,clinical crown.

crown lengthening: A surgical procedure exposing more tooth for restorative purposes by apically positioning the gingival margin and removing supporting bone.

dentistry: The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law.

denture: An artificial substitute for some or all of the natural teeth and adjacent tissues.

denture base: That part of a denture that makes contact with soft tissue and retains the artificial teeth.

diagnostic cast: Plaster or stone model of teeth and adjoining tissues; also referred to as study model. Primarily for use in extra-oral examinations of relationships existing between oral tissues so as to determine how those relationships will effect form and function of a dental restoration or appliance being planned, or so as to determine whether subsequent pre-definitive impression tissue treatment or modification might be necessary in order to insure optimal performance of the planned restoration or appliance.

diastema: A space, such as one between two adjacent teeth in the same dental arch.

edentulous: Without teeth.

Evidence-Based Dentistry: An approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific data relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.

evulsion: Separation of the tooth from its socket due to trauma. See avulsion.

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 prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or otherwise attached to the abutment teeth or implant replacements.

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.

immediate denture: Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal of remaining natural teeth.

implant: Material inserted or grafted into tissue.

dental implant:  A device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing for dental replacement.

implantation, tooth: Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into an alveolus.

interproximal: Between the adjoining surfaces of adjacent teeth in the same arch.

laminate veneer: A thin covering of the facial surface of a tooth usually constructed of tooth colored material used to restore discolored, damaged, misshapen or misaligned teeth.

maintenance, periodontal: Therapy for preserving the state of health of the periodontium.

malocclusion: Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.

Maryland bridge: Fixed partial denture featuring conservative retainers which are resin bonded to abutments.

metals, classification of: (source: ADA Council on Scientific Affairs).

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 metal content and listed in order of biocompatibility.

High Noble Alloys: Noble Metal Content > 60% (gold + platinum group*) and gold > 40% Au)

Titanium and Titanium Alloys: Titanium (Ti) > 85%.

Noble Alloys:Noble Metal Content > 25% (gold + platinum group*).

Predominantly Base Alloys: Noble Metal Content) < 25% (gold + platinum group*).
*metals of the platinum group are platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium and ruthenium

mouthguard: Individually molded device designed primarily to be worn for the purpose of helping prevent injury to the teeth and their surrounding tissues.  Sometimes called a mouth protector.

onlay: A dental restoration made outside the oral cavity that covers one or more cusp tips and adjoining occlusal surfaces, but not the entire external surface.  It is retained by luting cement.  (American College of Prosthodontics; The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms)

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.

pontic: The term used for an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture (bridge).

post: Rod-like component designed to be inserted into a prepared root canal space so as to provide structural support.  This device can either be in the form of an alloy, carbon fiber or fiberglass, and posts are usually secured with appropriate luting agents.

posterior: Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth (distal to the canines); maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars. The designation of permanent posterior teeth in the Universal/National tooth numbering system include teeth 1 through 5 and 12 through 16 (maxillary), and 17 through 21 and 28 through 32 (mandibular); primary teeth in the Universal tooth numbering system are designated A, B, I and J (maxillary), and K, L, S and T (mandibular).

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A formal agreement between a purchaser of a dental benefit program and a defined group of dentists for the delivery of dental services to a specific patient population, as an adjunct to a traditional plan, using discounted fees for cost savings.

preventive dentistry: Aspects of dentistry concerned with promoting good oral health and function by preventing or reducing the onset and/or development of oral diseases or deformities and the occurrence of oro-facial injuries.

prophylaxis: Removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth structures. It is intended to control local irritational factors.

prosthesis: Artificial replacement of any part of the body.

definitive prosthesis: Prosthesis to be used over an extended period of time.

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, bridges, dentures, obturators, gingival prostheses.)

fixed prosthesis: Non-removable dental prosthesis which is solidly attached to abutment teeth, roots or implants.

fixed-removable prosthesis: Combined prosthesis, one or more parts of which are fixed, and the other(s) attached by devices which allow their detachment, removal and reinsertion by the dentist only.

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: Complete or partial prosthesis, which after an initial fitting by a dentist, can be removed and reinserted by the patient.

prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

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.

reline: Process of resurfacing the tissue side of a removable prosthesis with new base material.

removable partial denture: A removable partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth that can be removed by the patient.

prosthodontic retainer: A part of a prosthesis that attaches a restoration to the abutment tooth, implant abutment, or implant.

root planing: A definitive treatment procedure designed to remove cementum and/or dentin that is rough, may be permeated by calculus, or contaminated with toxins or microorganisms.

temporary removable denture: An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of time.

 

REFERENCE ADA.ORG