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How to use this glossary
Dental visits can be full of terminology that nobody explained in school. This A-to-Z is the quick reference for the words you are most likely to encounter — including a few we wish were better known.
Do not see what you need? Call us at the office — we are happy to walk you through anything you read on a treatment plan or insurance form.
AZ
A–Z Glossary of dental terms
- Abscess
- A localized infection, usually at the root tip or in the gum. Requires prompt treatment.
- Abutment
- The connector piece between a dental implant and the crown on top of it.
- Bitewing X-ray
- A small X-ray showing the upper and lower back teeth together — used to check for cavities between teeth.
- Bonding
- Tooth-colored composite material applied and shaped to repair small chips or close minor gaps.
- Bruxism
- Clenching or grinding teeth, usually during sleep. Treated with a custom nightguard.
- Caries
- The medical term for tooth decay — what most people call a cavity.
- Composite
- Tooth-colored filling material that bonds directly to the tooth. Often used instead of silver amalgam for new fillings.
- Crown
- A custom cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth.
- Crown lengthening
- A minor surgical procedure that reshapes gum and bone to expose more tooth structure.
- Endodontics
- The branch of dentistry dealing with the inside of the tooth — root canals fall under this.
- Gingivitis
- The earliest, reversible stage of gum disease — red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed.
- Implant
- A titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root, topped with a crown.
- Inlay / Onlay
- A custom restoration smaller than a full crown — used when a filling is too small and a crown too aggressive.
- Malocclusion
- Misalignment of teeth or bite — often treatable with Invisalign or braces.
- Occlusion
- The way your upper and lower teeth meet when you bite down.
- Periodontal pocket
- The space between tooth and gum. Healthy pockets are 1-3mm; deeper pockets signal gum disease.
- Periodontitis
- Advanced gum disease where bone supporting the teeth begins to break down.
- Plaque
- The soft, sticky bacterial film that constantly forms on teeth. Removed by brushing and flossing.
- Prophylaxis
- Insurance code for a routine cleaning. Sometimes shortened to "prophy."
- Pulp
- The soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. The target of root canal therapy.
- Restoration
- Any treatment that repairs or rebuilds tooth structure — fillings, crowns, bridges, implants.
- Root canal
- Treatment that removes infected pulp from inside a tooth and seals it to save the tooth.
- Scaling and root planing
- A deep cleaning that removes tartar from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces.
- Sealant
- A thin, protective coating painted onto chewing surfaces of molars to help reduce decay risk.
- Tartar (calculus)
- Hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing — only by professional cleaning.
- Veneer
- A thin porcelain shell bonded to the front of a tooth to improve appearance.