At Aghbashian Dental, we believe that an informed patient is a healthy patient. We have compiled this comprehensive glossary to help you understand the terms you might hear during your visit. From common procedures to complex anatomy, here is everything you need to know.

A

Abscess A pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can occur at the root of a tooth or in the gums and requires immediate treatment.

Abutment A connector used in dental implants or bridges. In implants, it attaches the crown to the implant screw. In bridges, it refers to the natural teeth that support the bridge.

All-on-4® A specialized dental implant technique where a full arch of false teeth is supported by just four strategically placed dental implants.

Amalgam A durable, silver-colored filling material used to repair cavities, made from a mixture of metals including silver, tin, and mercury.

Anesthetic Medication used to eliminate pain or sensation during dental procedures. It can be local (numbing a specific area) or general (causing sleep).

Anterior Teeth The six front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws (incisors and canines).

Apex The very tip of the tooth's root.

Attrition The wearing down of the biting surfaces of the teeth, often caused by tooth-to-tooth contact like grinding.

Avulsed Tooth A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket due to trauma.

B

Bitewing X-ray A common X-ray that shows the crowns of the upper and lower molar/premolar teeth. It is primarily used to detect cavities between teeth.

Bleaching A cosmetic procedure to whiten teeth using chemical agents. See also Teeth Whitening.

Bonding A cosmetic procedure where tooth-colored composite resin is applied to a tooth to repair chips, close gaps, or change the shape or color.

Bridge A fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth definitely to adjacent teeth or dental implants.

Bruxism The medical term for grinding or clenching teeth, often occurring during sleep.

C

Calculus Also known as tartar. Hardened plaque that forms on teeth and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Canine The sharp, pointed teeth located between the incisors and premolars. Also known as "eye teeth" or "cuspids."

Canker Sore A small, painful ulcer that develops inside the mouth. It is not contagious.

Caries The technical term for tooth decay or cavities.

Cavity A hole or structural damage in a tooth caused by decay.

Cementum The hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.

Composite Resin A tooth-colored filling material made of plastic and glass particles, used for fillings and bonding.

Crown A "cap" that covers a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.

D

Decay The destruction of tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in plaque.

Dentin The layer of the tooth found just beneath the enamel. It is softer than enamel and protects the nerve.

Dentures A removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They can be complete (full set) or partial.

Diastema A natural space or gap between two teeth, commonly seen between the upper front teeth.

Digital X-ray (Sensor) Modern imaging technology that uses electronic sensors instead of film, reducing radiation exposure by up to 90% and providing instant images.

Dry Socket A painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction if the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves prematurely.

E

Edentulous A state of having no teeth.

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

Endodontics The branch of dentistry concerned with the pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. Root canal treatment falls under this category.

Extraction The process of removing a tooth from its socket in the bone.

F

Filling A material used to restore a tooth damaged by decay or fracture. Common materials include composite (white) and amalgam (silver).

Flipper A temporary removable denture used to replace a missing tooth while the gums heal or a permanent implant is being prepared.

Fluoride A mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

Frenectomy A minor surgical procedure to loosen or remove the "frenum," a band of tissue that connects the lips, cheeks, or tongue to the gum tissue (often used to treat tongue-ties).

G

Gingivitis The earliest stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. It is reversible with good oral hygiene.

Gum Recession When the gum tissue pulls back from the tooth, exposing the root.

H

Halitosis Chronic bad breath.

I

Impaction A condition where a tooth (often a wisdom tooth) is blocked from breaking through the gum because of a lack of space or improper angle.

Implant A titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. It serves as an anchor for a crown, bridge, or denture.

Incisor The four front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws, used primarily for cutting food.

Inlay A custom-made filling (usually gold or porcelain) cemented into a tooth. It covers the grooves of a tooth but not the cusps.

Interproximal The space between two adjacent teeth.

Intraoral Camera A small, wand-like camera used by dentists to show patients high-definition images of the inside of their mouth.

Invisalign® A brand of clear aligners used to straighten teeth as an alternative to metal braces.

M

Malocclusion "Bad bite." A misalignment of the teeth or jaws.

Mandible The lower jawbone.

Maxilla The upper jawbone.

Molar The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.

Mouthguard A protective device worn over the teeth to prevent injury during sports or to prevent damage from grinding (see Nightguard).

N

Nightguard A removable appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from the damage caused by grinding and clenching (bruxism).

O

Occlusion The way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you bite down.

Onlay A custom-made restoration that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. Often called a "partial crown."

Oral Surgeon A dental specialist who performs surgery on the mouth, jaws, and face (e.g., wisdom tooth removal, jaw realignment).

Orthodontics The branch of dentistry focused on correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw (braces, aligners).

Osseointegration The biological process where a dental implant fuses with the natural jawbone, creating a strong foundation.

P

Palate The roof of the mouth. The front is the "hard palate," and the back is the "soft palate."

Panoramic X-ray A 2-D dental X-ray that captures the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding structures and tissues.

Periodontitis Advanced gum disease that involves inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. It can lead to tooth loss.

Plaque A soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If not removed, it hardens into tartar.

Pontic The artificial tooth in a dental bridge or denture that replaces a missing natural tooth.

Posterior Teeth The teeth at the back of the mouth (premolars and molars).

Prophylaxis The professional cleaning of teeth to remove plaque, calculus, and stains.

Prosthodontics The dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth.

Pulp The innermost part of the tooth containing the nerves and blood vessels.

R

Radiograph Another term for an X-ray.

Restoration Any treatment that restores the function, integrity, or morphology of missing tooth structure (e.g., fillings, crowns, bridges).

Retainer An appliance used to hold teeth in place after orthodontic treatment (braces/Invisalign) is completed.

Root Canal Therapy A treatment to save a badly decayed or infected tooth. The nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. 

Root Planing A deep cleaning procedure that smooths the surfaces of the tooth roots to remove tartar and bacteria, helping gums reattach to the teeth.

S

Scaling The removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line.

Sealant A thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually molars) to prevent tooth decay.

Sedation Dentistry The use of medication (like nitrous oxide or oral pills) to help patients relax during dental procedures.

Sleep Apnea A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Dentists can often treat this with oral appliances.

T

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) The hinge joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. Disorders of this joint are often referred to as "TMJ" or "TMD."

Tartar See Calculus.

Torus A harmless, bony growth that forms on the roof of the mouth or the lower jaw.

V

Veneer A thin shell of porcelain or composite resin that is bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its cosmetic appearance (color, shape, size).

W

Wisdom Teeth The third molars, which usually erupt in the late teens or early twenties. They are often extracted if they are impacted or cause crowding.

X

Xerostomia The clinical term for dry mouth, often caused by medications or aging.

Z

Zirconia A very strong, tooth-colored ceramic material used to make dental crowns and bridges.

Need more clarity?

At Aghbashian Dental, we believe you should fully understand your dental health. If you have questions about any of these terms or want to discuss a specific treatment, Dr. Nova Aghbashian is here to help.

Call us at (818) 873-0938 or book your appointment online to start your journey to a confident smile.