Glossary
Dental terms
Plain explanations of the terms you often hear at appointments and in articles.
- Glossary
- Glossary
- Glossary
A
- Abscess
- An infection caused by a collection of pus around a tooth, which may come with swelling and pain.
B
- Bridge
- A fixed prosthesis that replaces a missing tooth by resting on neighbouring teeth.
- Bruxism
- The habit of clenching and grinding teeth.
C
- Cavity (decay)
- Wearing away of tooth tissue by acids produced by bacteria.
- CBCT
- A tomography method that gives three-dimensional images of the jaws and teeth.
- Composite filling
- A filling made with a tooth-coloured resin material.
- Crown
- A restoration that covers a tooth entirely to protect it and restore its shape.
D
- Dentin
- The softer, porous tooth tissue beneath the enamel.
E
- Enamel
- The outermost, hardest protective layer of a tooth.
F
- Fissure sealant
- A thin protective coating applied to the grooves of molars to protect them from decay.
- Fluoride
- A mineral that helps strengthen enamel.
G
- Gingivitis
- A condition of gum redness and bleeding caused by plaque build-up.
I
- Impacted tooth
- A tooth that has not fully erupted and remains under the gum or bone.
- Implant
- An artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth.
- Interdental brush
- A small brush used to clean the gaps between teeth.
P
- Panoramic X-ray
- An X-ray that shows all teeth and jaws in a single image.
- Periodontitis
- An inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues around the tooth (gum and bone).
- Plaque
- A soft, bacteria-containing film that forms continuously on teeth.
- Pulp
- The tissue at the centre of a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
R
- Retainer
- An appliance used after orthodontic treatment to keep teeth in their new position.
- Root canal treatment
- Cleaning infected or damaged nerve tissue inside a tooth and filling the canals.
S
- Sensitivity
- A short-lived feeling of pain or discomfort to hot, cold or sweet.
T
- Tartar (calculus)
- Hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing at home.
V
- Veneer
- A thin porcelain facing bonded to the front of a tooth.
The information on this page is general and does not replace diagnosis or treatment advice. The right approach for you is decided by your dentist after an examination.
