Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by admin
Welcome to our glossary of dental terms, a comprehensive list of dental terms arranged in alphabetical order. This resource helps patients and students understand both basic dental terms and more advanced dental anatomy terms. Whether you’re studying short term dental courses in Delhi or simply looking to improve your understanding of dental hygiene terms, this dental terminology glossary will be your quick guide to the most common dental terms. Each dental term is defined clearly so you can learn more about the world of oral health and treatment.
A
Abrasive
A material used in dentistry for polishing, cleaning, or smoothing surfaces of teeth and dental restorations.
Abscess
A localized accumulation of pus caused by bacterial infection, typically found at the root of a tooth or in gum tissue.
Acrylic resin
A synthetic polymer material used in making dentures, temporary crowns, and other dental appliances.
Adhesive prosthesis
A dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth, fixed to adjacent teeth without extensive preparation. Often applied as a temporary solution before permanent prosthetic treatment.
Alveolar bone
The part of the jawbone that supports and holds the teeth in place.
Alveoloplasty
A procedure where the dentist gently reshapes the jawbone to create a smoother, more comfortable surface for dentures.
Amalgam
A metallic dental filling material made from a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, and copper, used to restore decayed teeth.
Anesthesia
Medication used to relieve pain during dental procedures.
Anterior teeth
Front teeth; also called incisors and cuspids.
Apex
The tip of the root of a tooth, where nerves and blood vessels enter.
Apicoectomy
A minor surgical procedure that removes the apex of a tooth's root to treat persistent infection.
Arch
The curved structure of the upper or lower jaw.
B
Baby bottle tooth decay
Early childhood tooth decay caused by sugary liquids in bottles.
Bicuspids
Premolars; teeth with two cusps for grinding food.
Biopsy
A diagnostic procedure in which a small tissue sample is taken from the mouth for laboratory examination.
Bitewings
X-rays showing crowns of upper and lower teeth for cavity detection.
Bleaching
A cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the color of teeth using bleaching agents.
Bonding
The process of applying a tooth-colored resin material to repair or improve the appearance of teeth.
Bone grafting
Rebuilding or restoring the jawbone so it can support teeth or dentures.
Bridge
A fixed dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to neighboring teeth or implants.
Bruxism
Involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth, often occurring during sleep, which can cause wear and jaw discomfort.
Buccal
Referring to the surface of a tooth that faces the inside of the cheek.
C
Calculus (tartar)
Hardened dental plaque that adheres to teeth and can only be removed by professional cleaning.
Canine
Pointed tooth used for tearing food; located between the incisors and premolars.
Caries
Another term for tooth decay caused by bacterial activity on tooth surfaces.
Cementum
A hard connective tissue that covers the root surface of a tooth.
Composite resin
A tooth-colored filling material used for restorative purposes.
Crown
The visible part of the tooth above the gum line, or an artificial cap used to restore damaged teeth.
Curettage
Cleaning of the tooth socket or gum pocket to remove infected tissue.
D
Dentin
The hard tissue beneath enamel and cementum that forms the bulk of a tooth's structure.
Dental implant
A titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root.
Dentition
The arrangement or condition of the teeth within the mouth.
Denture
A removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue.
Denture reline
Adding new material to the inside of the denture so it sits more comfortably and securely on the gums.
Diagnosis
Identification of a dental condition through examination, imaging, or tests.
Disinfection
The process of destroying microorganisms to ensure sterile dental instruments and surfaces.
Drainage
Removal of pus or fluid during dental infection treatment.
Dry socket (alveolitis)
A painful condition occurring after tooth extraction when a blood clot fails to form or dislodges prematurely.
E
Edentulous
Lacking teeth; used to describe a person with no natural teeth.
Enamel
The hard, outermost layer of a tooth that protects it from decay.
Endodontics
The branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of tooth pulp and root tissues.
Eruption
The process by which a tooth moves through the gum to appear in the mouth.
Extraction
Removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
F
Filling
Material used to restore the function and shape of a decayed or damaged tooth.
Fissure
A deep groove or pit on the chewing surface of a tooth.
Fluoride
A mineral that strengthens enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.
Fluorosis
A condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, leading to enamel discoloration.
Frenum
A small fold of tissue connecting the lips, cheeks, or tongue to the jawbone or gums.
G
Gag reflex
Involuntary contraction of throat muscles triggered by touching the soft palate or back of the tongue.
Gingiva (gum)
Soft tissue that surrounds and protects the teeth.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup; reversible with proper hygiene.
Graft
Tissue or bone transplanted to repair or rebuild oral structures.
Gum disease
Infection of gum tissues, also called periodontal disease.
Gum recession
Withdrawal of gum tissue from the tooth surface, exposing the root.
H
Halitosis
Chronic bad breath caused by bacterial buildup, poor hygiene, or underlying conditions.
Hemisection
Surgical division of a molar into two parts when one root is diseased.
Hygienist
A dental professional trained to perform preventive cleanings, scaling, and patient education.
Hypersensitivity
Sharp pain in a tooth caused by exposed dentin or gum recession.
I
Implant
A titanium screw placed in the jawbone to support a crown or bridge.
Incisor
A front tooth with a sharp edge, used for cutting food.
Inlay
A custom-made restoration fitted into the cavity of a tooth, covering part of its surface.
Interdental
Relating to the area between two adjacent teeth.
Irrigation
Rinsing of a tooth socket or canal to remove debris and bacteria.
J
Jawbone
The bone structure (mandible or maxilla) that holds the teeth and forms the shape of the mouth.
K
Keratinized gingiva
Firm, dense gum tissue resistant to mechanical stress, usually located near tooth necks.
L
Labial
Referring to the surface of anterior teeth facing the lips.
Lamina dura
The thin layer of dense bone lining the tooth socket, visible on X-rays.
Lesion
An abnormal area of tissue due to injury or disease.
Lingual
Relating to the surface of the teeth facing the tongue.
M
Malocclusion
Improper alignment of teeth or bite.
Mandible
The lower jawbone.
Maxilla
The upper jawbone.
Molar
A large back tooth designed for grinding food.
Mucosa
Soft tissue lining the inside of the mouth.
N
Necrosis
Death of tissue, often referring to the dental pulp due to infection or trauma.
Night guard
A removable dental appliance worn during sleep to prevent tooth grinding (bruxism).
O
Occlusion
The contact between upper and lower teeth when biting or chewing.
Onlay
A restoration covering one or more cusps of a tooth, protecting its structure.
Oral hygiene
Daily practices such as brushing and flossing that maintain oral health.
Oral Surgery
Surgery performed in or around the mouth, including tooth extractions and jaw surgery.
Orthodontics
The dental specialty focused on correcting teeth and jaw alignment.
Overdenture
A removable denture placed over remaining teeth or implants for stability.
P
Palate
The roof of the mouth, divided into hard and soft sections.
Pathology
The study and diagnosis of diseases affecting the oral cavity.
Periodontal disease
Infection or inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Periodontist
Specialist in gum diseases.
Plaque
A soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
Polish
Smoothing the surface of teeth to remove stains and reduce plaque buildup.
Prosthodontics
The dental specialty dealing with the design and fitting of artificial replacements for teeth.
Pulp
Soft inner tissue of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.
R
Radiograph (X-ray)
An image produced using radiation to view internal dental structures.
Recession
Exposure of the tooth root caused by gum tissue loss.
Resin
A synthetic material used for fillings, sealants, and bonding.
Resin filling
Tooth-colored material for restorations.
Restoration
Any dental treatment that repairs or replaces damaged tooth structure.
Retainer
An orthodontic device used to hold teeth in position after braces are removed.
Root canal
Treatment that removes infected pulp and seals the canal within the tooth root.
S
Scaling
Professional cleaning to remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces.
Sealant
A thin protective coating applied to the grooves of teeth to prevent decay.
Sensitivity
Discomfort or pain in teeth when exposed to temperature changes or touch.
Sinus lift
A surgical procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw near the molars to support dental implants.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth.
T
Tartar
Hardened plaque that forms on teeth and can lead to gum disease.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
The hinge connecting the lower jaw to the skull.
Tooth anatomy
The structure including enamel, dentin, pulp, and root — fundamental term dental material and dental anatomy terms for dental students.
Transplantation
Moving a tooth or tissue from one area to another within the mouth.
U
Ulcer
An open sore on the oral mucosa caused by irritation, infection, or systemic conditions.
Unerupted tooth
A tooth that has not yet emerged through the gum.
V
Veneer
Thin shell bonded to front teeth to improve appearance.
Vital tooth
A tooth with living pulp tissue.
W
Whitening
Cosmetic treatment that brightens teeth color.
Wisdom tooth
The third molar, often the last to erupt.
X
Xerostomia
Dry mouth due to reduced saliva flow.
X-ray
A diagnostic image that shows the internal structure of teeth and bone.
Z
Zirconia crown
Durable ceramic restoration for strength and aesthetics.
Summary
This dental terms glossary includes key concepts, definitions, and clinical explanations used in modern dentistry. By studying this glossary of dental terms, both patients and dental students can better understand procedures, oral anatomy, and dental terms defined in everyday practice.
