Windmill Dental Practice

Dentistry terms explained

There are many dentistry terms you may come across in this website or elsewhere which are unfamiliar to you. With that in mind, we have created this glossary of terms to help make things clearer and give you a better understanding of the dental treatments which may be available to you.

abscess
A painful swelling caused by a collection of pus around the tooth.

acupuncture
An alternative, less painful and less stressful method of pain relief, using needles.

adult teeth
See permanent teeth.

air abrasion
A method of using a very fine abrasive stream to remove decay, which is quicker than drilling and can be done without anaesthetic.

air flow
A method of cleaning teeth using a mixture of air, water and salt to remove plaque quickly and painlessly.

aligners
Clear plastic moulds used to straighten teeth. Also known as 'invisible braces'.

amalgam
The material used to make a silver filling, containing silver, mercury, tin and other metals.

anaesthetic
Any form of medication which is used to relieve or prevent pain.

articulator
An instrument which is used to simulate the movement of a patient's jaw and determine how well the teeth fit together.

bicuspid
Another name for a premolar tooth.

bite
See occlusion.

bleaching
See tooth whitening.

bonding
Fixing material such as a crown or veneer to a tooth, using very strong dental adhesive or cement.

braces
Appliances which hold the teeth together in order to straighten them or improve their appearance over time.

bridge
A method of holding a false tooth in place, either by crowning the teeth on either side of the gap (a fixed bridge), or by holding it in place with wings (an adhesive bridge).

bridge needle
A special device for cleaning underneath false teeth that are held in by fixed or adhesive bridges.

bruxism
See grinding.

calculus
See tartar.

canine
The third tooth from the middle, which is sharp and pointed for piercing food, also known as a cuspid.

cap
See crown.

cavity
A hole in the tooth caused by decay.

cosmetic dentistry
Any dental treatment that is performed to improve the appearance of a smile.

crown
Also known as a cap, an artificial restoration that fits over a specially-prepared tooth.

cuspid
Another name for a canine tooth.

dental implant
A titanium rod which is inserted into the jawbone to support one or more false teeth.

dentine
The hard inner layer of the tooth under the enamel. It surrounds the pulp.

denture
See false teeth.

elastics
Elastic bands used in a brace to help straighten teeth.

enamel
The hard outer layer of the tooth, which surrounds the dentine.

endodontist
A specialist in root canal treatment.

equilibration
Reshaping the biting surfaces to correct the occlusion of upper and lower teeth.

extraction
The removal of one or more teeth.

false tooth
An artificial prosthetic tooth. A set of false teeth are known as dentures.

filling
Material placed in a cavity to prevent further decay. Usually made from amalgam but can be made from other materials.

fissure
A small natural crack in the biting surface of a molar or premolar.

fissure sealant
A protective plastic coating used to seal fissures and pits to prevent food and bacteria getting caught in them and causing decay.

floss
A thin nylon string, often coated in fluoride, that is inserted between the teeth to remove food and plaque.

fluoride
A chemical that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay.

gingiva
See gum.

gnashing
See grinding.

grinding
Unconscious clenching of the jaw and rubbing together of teeth, often during sleep. Also known as bruxism, or gnashing of teeth.

gum
Tissue that covers the jawbones and surrounds the base of the teeth. Also known as gingiva.

gum disease
Also known as periodontitis, or pyorrhea. A disease which inflames the gum and can eventually weaken its support of the teeth.

gum line
The point where the tooth goes beneath the gum.

headgear
An orthodontic appliance, usually worn at night, which helps to guide the growth and development of the jaw.

hygienist
A dental professional who works with the dentist to keep patients' teeth and gums healthy. A hygienist's job includes scaling and polishing teeth.

impression
An imprint of the teeth and gums, usually in wax or plaster.

incisor
The four front teeth, which have sharp edges for cutting food.

invisible braces
See aligners.

jaw
The bones that hold the teeth and move them together for biting and chewing.

jaw repositioners
Appliances used to temporarily adjust the position of the jaw to alleviate pain and check for malocclusion.

laser whitening
A quicker method of tooth whitening using a strong light or laser to speed up the process, whitening teeth in under an hour.

malocclusion
Incorrect alignment of the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from biting together properly. This can lead to problems with teeth, gums, and even the muscles of the jaw.

milk teeth
The first set of teeth which appear in babies and begin to fall out between the ages of about six to fourteen. They are then replaced by the permanent teeth.

molar
The back teeth, which have broad flat edges for chewing food.

mouthguard
A rubber cover worn to protect the teeth and gums during sport.

occlusal equilibriation
A method of correcting malocclusion by reshaping the tops of teeth to help them fit together more comfortably

occlusal restoration
Replacing or reconstructing teeth in order to correct malocclusion.

occlusion
The way in which the upper and lower teeth meet when closed, also called the bite. An incorrect bite, or malocclusion, can cause problems such as head and neck pain.

orthodontist
A dentist who specialises in the correction and straightening of crooked or poorly aligned teeth.

periodontitis
See gum disease.

permanent teeth
Also known as adult teeth, the second set of teeth which replace the milk teeth in children around the ages of six to fourteen.

pit
A small natural crevice in the surface of a molar or premolar.

plaque
A thin film of bacteria which constantly forms on the teeth. It reacts with sugars in food and drink to create acid which can cause decay. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing.

polishing
Professionally cleaning the teeth to remove plaque and stains.

post crown
A crown supported by a steel post inserted in the tooth, when root canal treatment has been performed.

power whitening
Another name for laser whitening.

premolar
The two teeth between the canine and molar teeth, adapted for chewing food.

pulp
The soft inner tissue of a tooth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels. It is surrounded by dentine.

pyorrhea
See gum disease.

retainer
An appliance used to hold teeth in place for a time after they have been straightened using braces.

root
The part of the tooth below the gum, which attaches the tooth to the jaw.

root canal
The area of the root of the tooth which carries the nerves and blood vessels to the pulp.

scaling
Removing tartar, plaque, and food, which brushing has been unable to remove, from the surface of the teeth.

tartar
Also known as calculus, hardened plaque which forms a coating on the teeth that is difficult to remove. Scaling is sometimes required to remove tartar.

temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ)
The joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull and lets it move. Called TMJ for short.

tooth decay
Erosion of the teeth caused by plaque acid. If left untreated, decay can cause serious damage to a tooth.

tooth whitening
Lightening the colour of teeth by several shades using bleaching agents to improve the appearance of a smile.

ultrasonic scaling
A method of scaling using sound waves to remove tartar and plaque from below the gum line.

veneer
A thin layer of porcelain or other material, attached to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.

wisdom tooth
The third molar. They appear in adult life, although sometimes they do not emerge at all. Sometimes wisdom teeth are obstructed from appearing, which can be very painful, and need to be extracted.

x-ray
A method of taking photographs of the inside of the mouth using electromagnetic radiation.