Here is a categorized list of essential dental terms and their definitions. This format is perfect for quick revision and easy studying.
- Basic Dental Anatomy and Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Arch | The U-shaped arrangement of teeth in each jaw (maxillary for upper, mandibular for lower). |
| Quadrant | One of the four sections of the mouth, created by dividing the arches with a vertical and horizontal line. |
| Midline | An imaginary vertical line that divides the face and dental arches into right and left halves. |
| Anterior Teeth | The front teeth (incisors and canines) used for cutting and tearing. |
| Posterior Teeth | The back teeth (premolars and molars) used for grinding and chewing. |
| Crown | The visible part of the tooth that is above the gum line. |
| Root | The part of the tooth embedded within the jawbone, anchoring it in place. |
| Enamel | The hard, outermost, protective layer of the tooth crown. |
| Dentin | The layer beneath the enamel, containing microscopic tubules that can lead to sensitivity if exposed. |
| Pulp | The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. |
| Cementum | The hard, bone-like tissue that covers the root of the tooth. |
| Gingiva (Gums) | The soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and covers the jawbone. |
| Periodontal Ligament (PDL) | A group of connective tissue fibers that attach the tooth to the alveolar bone. |
- Common Dental Problems and Conditions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Caries (Tooth Decay) | The destruction of tooth structure by acids produced by bacteria in plaque. |
| Plaque | A sticky, colourless film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on teeth. |
| Calculus (Tartar) | Hardened, mineralized plaque that can only be removed professionally. |
| Gingivitis | The initial stage of gum disease, causing inflamed, swollen, and bleeding gums. Often reversible. |
| Periodontitis | Advanced gum disease where inflammation damages the supporting structures of the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. |
| Malocclusion | The misalignment of teeth and jaws (e.g., crowding, overbites, underbites). |
| Attrition | The gradual wear of tooth substance from tooth-to-tooth contact (e.g., grinding). |
| Abrasion | The wearing away of tooth structure by a foreign object, like from aggressive toothbrushing. |
| Erosion | The chemical loss of tooth structure (not involving bacteria), often from acidic foods or gastric reflux. |
| Abscess | A localized collection of pus from a bacterial infection at the tooth root or in the gums. |
| Impacted Tooth | A tooth that has not fully erupted into its normal position, common with wisdom teeth. |
- Dental Procedures and Specialties
| Speciality | Procedure / Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentistry | Prophylaxis (Oral Prophylaxis) | A professional dental cleaning to remove plaque, calculus, and stains from the teeth. |
| Scaling | The procedure of using instruments to remove hardened plaque (calculus/tartar) from tooth surfaces. | |
| Polishing | The process of smoothing the tooth surfaces after scaling to make it harder for plaque to re-adhere. | |
| Filling (Restoration) | The repair of a cavity or tooth defect caused by caries. Common materials include amalgam or composite resin. | |
| Extraction | The complete removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. | |
| Endodontics | Root Canal Treatment (RCT) | A procedure to treat infection within the tooth’s pulp (nerve). It involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the internal canals, and sealing them. |
| Prosthodontics | Crown (Cap) | A dental restoration that completely covers or “caps” a damaged tooth or a dental implant to restore its shape, size, and strength. |
| Bridge | A fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by permanently joining an artificial tooth to adjacent teeth or implants. | |
| Denture | A removable appliance that serves as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding gum tissues. Can be complete (for all teeth) or partial (for some teeth). | |
| Implant | A surgical component, typically a titanium post, that is placed into the jawbone to support a dental prosthesis like a crown, bridge, or denture. | |
| Orthodontics | Braces | Dental appliances used to align and straighten teeth, correcting a person’s bite and improving dental health and aesthetics. |
| Aligners | A series of clear, custom-made, removable plastic trays that incrementally move teeth into their desired position. | |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | Biopsy | The surgical removal of a small piece of tissue from the oral cavity for microscopic examination to aid in diagnosis, often for conditions like oral cancer. |
| Frenectomy | The surgical procedure to remove a frenum, which is a small fold of tissue that restricts the movement of the tongue (lingual frenum) or lips (labial frenum). |
- Material Science Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Amalgam | A silver-coloured restorative material made from mercury and metal alloys. |
| Composite Resin | A tooth-coloured restorative material used for aesthetic restorations. |
| Gutta-Percha | A rubber-like material used to fill canals during RCT. |
| Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) | A restorative material that releases fluoride and bonds to tooth structure. |
| Alginate | A material used to make dental impressions. |
- Essential Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full Form / Meaning |
|---|---|
| OPD | Outpatient Department |
| HX | History (Medical/Dental) |
| C/O | Chief Complaint |
| Tx | Treatment |
| Rx | Prescription |
| RCT | Root Canal Treatment |
| PFM | Porcelain Fused to Metal |
| CD | Complete Denture |
| RPD | Removable Partial Denture |
| FPD | Fixed Partial Denture |
| S/RP | Scaling and Root Planing |
| LA | Local Anesthesia |
Dental terminology isn’t just academic jargon—it’s the language of your profession. The earlier you get comfortable with it, the more fluent and confident you’ll become, both in the classroom and in the clinic.
So, bookmark this glossary, revisit it often, and let it become your handy reference through your dental journey.
Apps useful for students:
1. Dental Dictionary by Farlex
2. BDS Next
Suggested Reading:
Official Government Websites for Dentistry in India: Complete List for Students and Professionals
