A localized collection of pus in the gums or bone, usually caused by a bacterial infection. An abscess can be extremely painful and may require a root canal or extraction to resolve.

A tooth or dental implant used as an anchor for a dental prosthesis like a bridge or a partial denture.

The part of the jawbone that holds the teeth in place. The health of this bone is crucial for supporting your teeth.

A common dental filling material made from a mixture of metals, including silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Amalgam fillings are known for their durability and low cost.

A substance used to numb an area of the mouth to prevent pain during dental procedures. It can be a local anesthetic, which numbs a small area, or a general anesthetic, which puts a patient to sleep.

The six upper and six lower front teeth (incisors and canines) that are primarily used for biting and cutting food.

The very tip of the root of a tooth.

The removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to check for disease. This is often done to test for oral cancer.

The way your upper and lower teeth meet when you close your mouth. Also known as occlusion.

The process of whitening teeth, usually using a peroxide-based gel. This is a popular cosmetic dental procedure.

A cosmetic dental procedure where a tooth-colored resin material is applied to a tooth, sculpted, and hardened with a special light. It’s used to repair chipped teeth, fill gaps, or change the shape of a tooth.

A fixed dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) held in place by dental crowns on the adjacent teeth (abutments).

The involuntary, habitual grinding, gnashing, or clenching of the teeth, often done unconsciously while sleeping. It can lead to headaches, jaw pain, and tooth wear.

A hardened dental plaque that forms on the teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional. Also known as tartar.

The four pointed teeth located between the incisors and premolars. They are also known as cuspids and are used for tearing food.

The scientific term for tooth decay or cavities.

A hole or damaged area in the tooth caused by decay.

A birth defect where there is an opening or split in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both.

A tooth-colored resin filling material used to restore teeth. They are aesthetically pleasing and are bonded directly to the tooth.

A dental restoration that covers or “caps” a damaged or weak tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination of both.

The pointed or rounded projection on the chewing surface of a tooth, particularly on canines, premolars, and molars.

The breakdown of tooth structure caused by bacteria that produce acid from food particles and sugars.

A surgical component that is placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Once in place, a crown, bridge, or denture can be attached to it.

The layer of the tooth located directly under the enamel. It contains microscopic tubules that, if exposed, can lead to tooth sensitivity.

A removable appliance used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. A complete denture replaces all teeth in a jaw, while a partial denture replaces some teeth.

A painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction. It happens when the blood clot that should form in the socket dislodges or dissolves, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.

The hard, outer protective layer of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body.

A dental specialist who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and the tissues around the root of a tooth. They perform root canals.

The removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.

A dental material used to fill a cavity or restore a damaged tooth.

The use of a thin strand of floss to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line.

A mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. It is often added to toothpaste and some public water supplies.

A cosmetic condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, leading to white or brown spots on the tooth enamel.

The gums, or the tissue surrounding the base of the teeth.

A common and mild form of gum disease characterized by inflammation, redness, and swelling of the gums. It is caused by plaque buildup and is reversible with good oral hygiene.

The process in which the gum tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root.

A tooth that has not fully erupted into the mouth and remains trapped under the gum or in the jawbone. Wisdom teeth are the most common impacted teeth.

The four front teeth on both the upper and lower jaws used for biting and cutting food.

A custom-made filling that is used to repair a tooth with a cavity or damage on its chewing surface. It is fabricated outside of the mouth and then cemented into place.

A custom-made restoration that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. It is a more extensive restoration than an inlay.

The area between two adjacent teeth.

The bone that holds the teeth in place. The upper jaw is the maxilla, and the lower jaw is the mandible.

Any improper or irregular contact between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws when the mouth is closed. This can include overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

The lower jaw.

The upper jaw.

The large, flat teeth located at the back of the mouth used for grinding and chewing food.

A protective device worn over the teeth to prevent injury during sports or to protect against teeth grinding at night.

A dental specialist who performs complex procedures, including tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and jaw surgery.

A dental specialist who corrects and straightens teeth and aligns jaws using braces, aligners, and other dental appliances.

A type of malocclusion where the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively.

A removable dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth.

A dental specialist who treats children from infancy through adolescence.

Referring to the area at the tip of the tooth root.

A serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. It is a more advanced form of gingivitis.

A dental specialist who focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and the placement of dental implants.

A sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. If not removed, it can harden into calculus and lead to decay and gum disease.

A thin, custom-made shell of porcelain that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance. They are used to change the shape, color, or size of a tooth.

The soft tissue in the center of the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

The professional term for a dental X-ray, which allows the dentist to see the teeth, bones, and surrounding tissues that are not visible to the naked eye.

A custom-made dental appliance, either fixed or removable, that is worn after orthodontic treatment to keep the teeth in their new, corrected position.

A dental procedure to remove the infected or damaged pulp from the inside of a tooth. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned, disinfected, and sealed to save the tooth.

The part of the tooth that is embedded in the jawbone.

A procedure performed by a dental hygienist to remove plaque and calculus from the tooth surface and below the gum line.

A thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent tooth decay.

A sharp, temporary pain in the teeth that occurs when the dentin is exposed to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks.

See Calculus.

The hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull.

A condition that causes pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.

A type of malocclusion where the lower front teeth and jaw protrude past the upper front teeth.

A thin, custom-made covering that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance. See Porcelain Veneer.

The third and final set of molars that usually erupt in the late teens or early twenties. They are also known as third molars.

The medical term for dry mouth, a condition caused by a decrease in saliva flow. It can lead to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.