Glossary of Dental Terms
A handy reference
Common Dental Terms
We’ve put together this handy reference guide of terms you might hear when speaking with your dentist or support staff.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your dental care provider for clarification. We’re here to help make your experience as pleasant as possible!
Amalgam
A most common filling material, also known as silver fillings, containing mercury (approximately 50%), silver, tin, copper and zinc.
Alveolar Bone
The jaw bone that anchors the roots of teeth.
Allergy
Unfavorable systemic response to a foreign substance or drug.
Air Abrasion
Removal of tooth structure by blasting a tooth with air and abrasive, a relatively new technology that may avoid the need for anesthetic.
Adhesive Dentistry
Contemporary term for dental restorations that involve ‘bonding’ of composite resin or porcelain fillings to natural teeth.
Abutment
A tooth or teeth that supports a fixed or removable bridge.
Abscess
An infection of a tooth, soft tissue or bone.
Resources
Why Straight Teeth are Healthier
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Eat the Foods You Love Again with Dental Implants
Missing a tooth is more than just a gap in your smile. It can change how you chew your favorite meals and how you feel when you talk to friends. If you have been hiding your smile or avoiding certain foods, dental implants could be the answer. They are designed to look, feel, and work…
Why Oral Cancer Screening Is Important
In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we are focusing on a simple step that can save lives. When you visit us for a checkup, we look at more than just your teeth. We also screen for oral cancer. This is a quick and easy part of your visit, but it is one of the…
