Dental Dictionary
Understanding dental terminology helps you make informed decisions about your oral health. Browse our glossary of common terms used at Cville Dentist in Charlottesville.
A
- Abscess
- A localized pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in the tooth or gum tissue. Abscesses require prompt treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Abutment
- A connector piece placed on top of a dental implant post that supports the final crown, bridge, or denture restoration.
- Amalgam
- A durable silver-colored filling material made from a mixture of metals including silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Largely replaced by tooth-colored composite resin in modern dentistry.
- ARESTIN
- A locally applied antibiotic containing minocycline microspheres placed directly into infected periodontal pockets to fight gum disease after scaling and root planing.
B
- Bite (Occlusion)
- The way your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. A healthy bite distributes chewing forces evenly across all teeth.
- Bonding
- A cosmetic procedure in which tooth-colored composite resin is applied and sculpted onto a tooth to repair chips, cracks, gaps, or discoloration.
- Bridge
- A fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring prosthetic teeth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
- Bruxism
- The habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, often during sleep. Bruxism can cause tooth wear, jaw pain, and headaches and is commonly treated with a custom night guard.
C
- Calculus (Tartar)
- Hardened dental plaque that has mineralized on the tooth surface. Calculus can only be removed by a dental professional during a cleaning.
- Cavity
- A permanently damaged area in the hard surface of a tooth caused by bacterial acid that creates a small hole. Treated with a filling or restoration.
- CBCT (Cone Beam CT)
- A three-dimensional imaging technology that captures detailed views of the teeth, jawbone, nerves, and sinuses. Used for implant planning, complex extractions, and diagnosis.
- Composite Resin
- A tooth-colored filling material made of plastic and glass particles. Composites bond directly to the tooth and provide a natural, seamless appearance.
- Crown
- A custom-fitted cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Made from porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, or metal alloys.
- Curettage
- A deep-cleaning procedure that removes diseased tissue from the inside of a periodontal pocket to promote healing of the gum tissue.
D
- Decay
- The destruction of tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in plaque. Also known as dental caries.
- Denture
- A removable appliance that replaces all (full denture) or some (partial denture) missing teeth in an arch.
E
- Enamel
- The hard, mineralized outer layer of the tooth crown. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body but can be eroded by acids and damaged by decay.
- Endodontics
- The branch of dentistry dealing with the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root. Root canal therapy is the most common endodontic procedure.
- Extraction
- The removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. May be simple (visible tooth) or surgical (impacted or broken tooth).
F
- Fluoride
- A naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. Applied topically during dental visits and found in most toothpastes and community water supplies.
G
- Gingivitis
- The earliest stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Gingivitis is reversible with professional cleaning and improved oral hygiene.
I
- Implant
- A titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. After healing, an abutment and crown are attached to create a permanent tooth replacement.
- Inlay
- A custom-fabricated restoration that fits within the cusps of a back tooth, used when a standard filling is insufficient but a full crown is not yet necessary.
- Invisalign
- A system of clear, removable plastic aligners used to straighten teeth without traditional metal braces. Aligners are changed every one to two weeks as teeth gradually shift.
O
- Onlay
- A custom restoration that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. Larger than an inlay, an onlay provides more coverage while preserving healthy tooth structure.
- Orthodontics
- The branch of dentistry focused on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, aligners, and other appliances.
- Osseointegration
- The biological process by which a dental implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone, creating a stable, permanent foundation for a prosthetic tooth.
P
- Periodontal Disease
- A chronic bacterial infection of the gums and supporting bone. Ranges from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss.
- Plaque
- A sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If not removed by brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into calculus and can cause cavities and gum disease.
- Prophylaxis
- A professional teeth cleaning performed to prevent gum disease and maintain oral health. Recommended every six months for most patients.
- Pulp
- The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When the pulp becomes infected, root canal therapy is needed to save the tooth.
R
- Root Canal
- A procedure to remove infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside a tooth, clean and shape the root canals, and fill them to seal out future infection.
S
- Scaling and Root Planing
- A deep-cleaning procedure that removes plaque and calculus from below the gumline (scaling) and smooths the root surfaces (planing) to help gums reattach to the teeth.
- Sealant
- A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Most commonly used in children but beneficial for adults at high risk.
T
- TMJ/TMD
- Temporomandibular joint disorder — a condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that can cause pain, clicking, locking, and difficulty opening the mouth.
V
- Veneer
- A thin shell of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its shape, color, size, or alignment.
W
- Wisdom Teeth
- The third set of molars that typically emerge between ages 17 and 25. Often impacted or misaligned, requiring extraction to prevent crowding and infection.
X
- Xerostomia
- Chronic dry mouth caused by reduced saliva production. Increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. Often a side effect of medications.
Have a Question About a Procedure?
Our Charlottesville team is always happy to explain any treatment in plain language. Give us a call.
434-973-5873