A Simple Guide To Dental Terminology

We know there is a lot of information and dentist-specific vocabulary throughout our website. Here is a quick-reference guide to the most common terms people may be unfamiliar with.

Abutment (Implant): The connector piece attached to a dental implant post that secures the crown on top of it.

Abutment Teeth (Bridge): The natural teeth on either side of a gap that support and anchor a dental bridge.

All-Porcelain Crown: A crown made entirely of porcelain, valued for its natural appearance; can last 10–20 years with proper care.

Amalgam Filling: A “silver filling” made from a mixture of metals — silver, tin, copper, and mercury — known for durability but more visible than tooth-colored options.

Apicoectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the tip of a tooth’s root and surrounding infected tissue when standard root canal therapy isn’t sufficient to resolve infection.

Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions mentioned as a risk factor that may increase a patient’s likelihood of complications with dental implants.

Bisphosphonates: A class of medication (used to treat osteoporosis) that can raise the risk of complications for patients considering dental implants.

Bone Density / Bone Loss: The amount of mineral mass in the jawbone; insufficient density (often from bone loss after tooth extraction) can disqualify a patient from implants without supplemental procedures.

Bone Grafting: A supplemental surgical procedure that rebuilds jawbone volume in patients who don’t have enough bone to support a dental implant.

Bone Integration Period: The healing phase (about 3–6 months) after implant placement during which osseointegration occurs.

Bone Resorption: The breakdown and loss of jawbone that occurs naturally after a tooth is extracted, since the bone no longer receives chewing stimulation.

Bonding Agent: An adhesive substance applied to a tooth to help filling material (such as composite resin) bond securely to the tooth structure.

Bridge (Dental Bridge): A prosthetic device that “bridges” a gap from one or more missing teeth using crowns on the abutment teeth and a false tooth (pontic) in between. Types mentioned include traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bonded bridges.

Cantilever Bridge: A type of dental bridge anchored to an abutment tooth on only one side of the gap, rather than both.

Cavity / Dental Caries: A hole in the tooth caused by decay; dental caries is the clinical term for this decay process.

Ceramic Filling: A tooth-colored filling made of porcelain or ceramic material, valued for stain resistance and durability.

Composite Filling / Composite Resin: A tooth-colored filling made of a mixture of plastic and glass particles that bonds directly to the tooth; also called a direct resin or white filling.

Composite Veneer: A veneer made of composite resin (rather than porcelain) that corrects chips, cracks, and stains with minimal tooth preparation.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Scan: A specialized 3D imaging technology capturing detailed cross-sections of teeth, bone, nerves, and soft tissue, often used to plan dental implants.

Core Buildup: Material added to a prepared tooth to rebuild missing structure so it can properly support a crown.:

Crown: A cap that covers the entire visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal alloy, or a combination.

Decay: The breakdown of tooth structure by bacterial acids, which can progress into a cavity or, if untreated, infect the pulp.

Dental Sedation: Medication options offered to help anxious patients relax during procedures like root canal therapy.

Dental Trauma: Physical injury to a tooth (such as a fracture or chip) that can allow bacteria to enter and infect the pulp.

Dentin: The yellowish layer of tooth structure beneath the enamel; softer than enamel but still supportive and protective.

Denture: A removable prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth. Includes several types:

• Complete/Full Denture – replaces all teeth in an arch.
• Partial Denture – replaces some teeth while attaching to remaining natural teeth.
• Immediate Denture – placed immediately after extraction, worn during healing.
• Implant-Supported Denture (Overdenture) – anchored to dental implants for a more stable fit.
• Snap-In Denture – attaches to smaller “mini-implants,” a less invasive alternative to full implant-supported dentures.

Digital Radiography (Digital X-Rays): X-ray imaging captured electronically instead of on film, offering instant viewing and significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays.

Direct Resin: Another name for a composite/white filling, shaped and applied directly onto the tooth chairside (as opposed to a lab-made restoration).

Endodontic Therapy: The clinical category of treatments (including root canal therapy) that address the tooth’s pulp. Related procedures include:

• Pulpectomy – removal of the pulp, bacteria, and decayed tissue from inside the tooth.
• Pulp Capping – placing material over minimally damaged pulp to encourage healing without a full root canal.
• Regenerative Endodontics – a newer technique that stimulates regrowth of pulp tissue in young teeth.
• Root Canal Retreatment – redoing a root canal on a tooth that becomes reinfected.
• Apicoectomy – see above.

Enamel: The hard, protective outer layer of the visible tooth (the crown); the hardest substance in the human body.

Etching Solution: A solution applied to a tooth’s surface during filling placement to roughen it, helping the resin material bond more effectively.

Extraction: The surgical removal of a tooth.

Glass Ionomer Filling: A filling made from a mixture of acrylic and glass that releases fluoride to help prevent further decay; often used in children or non-load-bearing areas.

Gold Filling: A durable, lab-made filling made from a gold alloy.

Gum Disease / Periodontal Disease: Infection or inflammation of the gums that can create pockets allowing bacteria to reach the tooth pulp, and that can disqualify patients from certain treatments like implants or whitening.

Gutta-Percha: A rubber-like, biocompatible material used to fill and seal the root canal space after the infected pulp has been removed.

Hydrogen Peroxide: A bleaching agent (peroxide gel) used in professional teeth-whitening treatments to break down stains.

Implant (Dental Implant): A titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root, supporting a crown, bridge, or denture.

Implant-Supported Bridge: A dental bridge anchored to implants rather than natural teeth, offering a longer-lasting solution (10–20 years).

Inlay / Onlay: Lab-made restorations mentioned as alternatives to a filling when tooth damage is more extensive but doesn’t require a full crown.

Internal (Tooth) Bleaching: A whitening technique for teeth that have discolored from the inside after a root canal; a whitening agent is placed inside the tooth and sealed.

Local Anesthesia: A numbing medication applied to a specific area of the mouth to prevent pain during procedures like fillings, root canals, veneers, or implant placement.

Lumineers: A brand of ultra-thin porcelain veneer, thinner than traditional veneers, requiring minimal tooth preparation.

Maryland Bonded Bridge: A type of dental bridge that uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of adjacent teeth, rather than full crowns.

No-Prep Veneers: Ultra-thin veneers that require little to no removal of tooth enamel before bonding.

Oral Hygiene: Daily practices (brushing, flossing) that support the health of teeth, gums, and any restorations such as implants, crowns, or dentures.

Osseointegration: The biological process by which the jawbone fuses directly to a dental implant, typically occurring over three to six months and providing the implant’s long-term stability.

Osteoporosis: A bone-density disease mentioned as a risk factor that may complicate dental implant candidacy, particularly for patients on bisphosphonate medication.

Periodontal Disease: — see Gum Disease.

Pontic: The artificial replacement tooth in a dental bridge that fills the gap between the abutment teeth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown: A crown with a metal substructure covered by porcelain, balancing durability and appearance; typically lasts 5–15 years.

Post-Operative (Aftercare) Instructions: Guidance given after procedures like implant surgery — covering swelling, diet, medication, and hygiene — to support proper healing.

Pulp: The soft inner tissue of a tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

Restorative Dentistry: Dental treatments that repair or replace damaged/missing teeth, including fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants.

Ridge Augmentation: A supplemental surgical procedure that builds up a narrow or shallow jawbone ridge to create a stable base for a dental implant.

Root Canal Therapy: A procedure removing infected/damaged pulp from inside a tooth, then cleaning, shaping, and sealing the canal (typically with gutta-percha) to save the tooth from extraction.

Rubber Dam: A protective barrier placed around the gums (or over other teeth) during procedures like teeth whitening to shield soft tissue from chemicals.

Sinus Lift: A supplemental surgical procedure that raises the sinus floor to create room for a dental implant in the upper back jaw.

Systemic Diseases: (e.g., diabetes, Parkinson’s disease) Conditions noted as factors that can increase the risk of complications with dental implant surgery.

Temporary Crown / Bridge / Veneer / Denture: An interim restoration placed while a custom, permanent restoration is being fabricated in a dental lab.

Tetracycline Staining: A type of deep, internal tooth discoloration (from the antibiotic tetracycline) that standard whitening may not address, but that the site’s “deep bleaching” system claims to treat.

Titanium Post: The metal post that forms the base of a dental implant, anchored into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root.

Veneer: A thin shell (commonly porcelain, but also composite resin, zirconia, or ultra-thin “no-prep” varieties) bonded to the front of a tooth to correct discoloration, chips, gaps, or misalignment.

Wax Try-In: A step in the denture-making process where a wax model of the denture is tried in the mouth to check fit and alignment before the final piece is made.

Whitening Tray: A custom-made tray used to hold whitening gel against the teeth during at-home teeth-whitening treatment.

White Filling: — see Composite Filling / Direct Resin.

Zirconia Veneer: A veneer made from zirconia, a strong, durable dental ceramic more resistant to chipping than traditional porcelain and more translucent for a natural look.