Dental English Vocabulary for Dentists

abutment nounC1

A tooth or implant component that provides support and retention for a prosthesis.

The two canines served as abutments for the fixed bridge spanning the edentulous space.

alveolus nounC2

The bony socket in the jaw that houses the root of a tooth.

After extraction, a blood clot formed within the empty alveolus to initiate healing.

apex nounC1

The anatomical tip of a tooth root, through which the nerves and blood vessels enter the pulp.

The infection has spread beyond the apex, producing a shadow on the radiograph at the root tip.

bruxism nounC1

The involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, frequently occurring during sleep.

Chronic bruxism had flattened the occlusal surfaces and precipitated masticatory muscle pain.

caries nounC1

The progressive demineralisation and destruction of tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary sugars.

Radiographs revealed interproximal caries extending into the dentine on the distal surface of the first molar.

cementum nounC2

The thin layer of mineralised tissue covering the root of a tooth and anchoring the periodontal ligament fibres.

Aggressive root planing risks removing cementum along with the diseased tissue.

diastema nounC2

A visible space or gap between two adjacent teeth, most commonly the upper central incisors.

The prominent midline diastema was closed with direct composite bonding.

endodontics nounC2

The dental speciality concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp and periapical tissues.

She was referred for endodontics after conventional treatment of the necrotic pulp failed.

fistula nounC2

An abnormal channel connecting a source of infection to a surface, through which pus may drain.

A sinus tract, sometimes termed a fistula, drained the chronic periapical abscess onto the gingiva.

fluorosis nounC2

A cosmetic mottling of the enamel caused by excessive fluoride during tooth formation.

The faint white flecks were mild fluorosis and posed no threat to the tooth.

gingiva nounC2

The gum tissue surrounding the teeth and covering the jaw bone.

The attached gingiva around the implant appeared firm, pink and healthy at review.

hypoplasia nounC2

Incomplete or defective development of a tissue, such as thin or pitted enamel of a tooth.

Childhood illness during crown formation left bands of enamel hypoplasia on the permanent incisors.

impaction nounC1

The condition of a tooth being prevented from erupting into its normal position by bone or adjacent teeth.

Mesioangular impaction of the lower third molar required surgical removal.

inlay nounC1

An indirect restoration fabricated outside the mouth and cemented into a prepared cavity within the cusps.

A ceramic inlay was chosen to restore the extensive occlusal cavity conservatively.

malocclusion nounC2

Any deviation from the ideal alignment of teeth or relationship between the dental arches.

The Class II malocclusion was managed with functional appliance therapy during the growth spurt.

mandible nounC1

The lower jaw bone, which holds the lower teeth.

The wisdom tooth lay close to the nerve running through the mandible.

mastication nounC2

The mechanical process of chewing food to prepare it for swallowing and digestion.

Impaired mastication following multiple extractions compromised the elderly patient's nutrition.

maxilla nounC2

The upper jaw bone, which holds the upper teeth.

The roots of the upper molars sat just beneath the sinus within the maxilla.

osseointegration nounC2

The direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing implant.

Successful osseointegration was confirmed radiographically before the implant was loaded.

osteitis nounC2

Inflammation of bone, notably the painful localised form that follows loss of the clot from a tooth socket.

Alveolar osteitis, or dry socket, developed on the third postoperative day with severe radiating pain.

osteonecrosis nounC2

The death of bone tissue, notably of the jaw associated with antiresorptive drug therapy.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw exposed necrotic bone at the extraction site.

periodontitis nounC1

A destructive inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues causing irreversible loss of attachment and alveolar bone.

Untreated periodontitis led to progressive pocket formation and eventual tooth mobility.

pontic nounC2

The artificial tooth of a fixed bridge that replaces a missing natural tooth.

The pontic was designed with an ovate profile to emulate a tooth emerging from the gingiva.

prosthodontics nounC2

The dental speciality concerned with the restoration and replacement of teeth using prostheses.

Complex full-mouth rehabilitation fell within the scope of prosthodontics.

radiograph nounC1

A dental X-ray image used to reveal decay, bone levels and structures hidden from clinical view.

I'd like to take a bitewing radiograph to check for any decay hidden between your back teeth.

resorption nounC2

The gradual loss of tooth or bone structure through the body's own breakdown process.

The radiograph revealed root resorption that was slowly shortening the tooth.

suppuration nounC2

The formation or discharge of pus in response to infection.

Suppuration from the periodontal pocket indicated an active abscess.

vasoconstrictor nounC2

An agent that narrows blood vessels, added to local anaesthetics to prolong their action and reduce bleeding.

Adrenaline is the vasoconstrictor most commonly combined with lidocaine in dental cartridges.

xerostomia nounC2

The subjective sensation of a dry mouth, often resulting from reduced salivary flow.

Radiotherapy-induced xerostomia markedly increased her susceptibility to root caries.

apical adjectiveC2

Relating to the apex or tip of a tooth root.

The radiograph showed an apical radiolucency, suggesting infection at the root tip.

buccal adjectiveC2

Relating to the cheek or the tooth surface facing the cheek.

The decay was confined to the buccal surface nearest the cheek.

edentulous adjectiveC2

Lacking teeth, whether congenitally, through extraction, or from disease.

The fully edentulous patient was assessed for an implant-retained overdenture to improve masticatory function.

lingual adjectiveC2

Relating to the tongue or the tooth surface facing the tongue.

Calculus tends to build up on the lingual side of the lower front teeth.

mesial adjectiveC2

Relating to the tooth surface nearer the midline of the dental arch.

The contact between the two teeth had decayed on the mesial surface.

occlusal adjectiveC2

Relating to the biting or chewing surface of a back tooth.

The cavity was on the occlusal surface, right in the grooves where food collects.

periapical adjectiveC2

Relating to the tissue immediately surrounding the tip of a tooth root.

A periapical radiograph confirmed infection spreading from the root tip into the bone.

supernumerary adjectiveC1

Denoting a tooth present in excess of the normal complement of the dentition.

A supernumerary tooth in the midline had blocked the eruption of the permanent incisor.

periodontal pocket phraseC1

An abnormally deepened gingival sulcus caused by the destruction of supporting tissue in periodontal disease.

Probing shows a six-millimetre periodontal pocket on this molar, which indicates significant attachment loss.

probing depth phraseC2

The distance in millimetres from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus or pocket, measured with a periodontal probe.

I'll record the probing depths around each tooth so we can monitor your gum health over time.

root planing phraseC2

The deep cleaning of the root surfaces beneath the gum to remove calculus and diseased cementum in periodontal treatment.

Because the pockets are deep, we'll carry out root planing under local anaesthetic over two visits.