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!
Partial Denture
A removable dental prosthesis (appliance) that replaces one or more natural teeth.
Post
A thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy. A post provides retention for a ‘coping’ which replaces lost tooth structure and retains crowns.
Porcelain Veneers
A thin layer of porcelain, fabricated by a laboratory and bonded to a natural tooth to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighten teeth, or change color and/or shape.
Porcelain Inlay or Onlay
A tooth-colored restoration made of porcelain and cemented or bonded in place.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crown
A restoration containing metal coping for strength covered by porcelain for appearance.
Porcelain Crown
An all-porcelain restoration that covers the coronal portion of tooth (above the gum line).
Pontic
A replacement tooth mounted on a fixed or removal appliance.
Plaque
A soft, sticky substance that accumulates on teeth and is composed of bacteria and food debris due to inadequate dental hygiene.
Pit
A small defect in the tooth enamel, or the junction of four formative lobes of a developing tooth.
Permanent Teeth
Thirty-two adult teeth (approximately) in a complete dentition.
Resources
The Secret to Strong Teeth Starts With Healthy Gums
When you think of a great smile, you probably think of your teeth. But there is a quiet hero working behind the scenes: your gums! Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. Just like a house needs a strong foundation to stand tall, your teeth need strong gums to keep them safely anchored…
How You Can Make A Difference!
We believe that everyone deserves a reason to smile. Yet, millions of people go without basic dental care because of cost or a lack of nearby dentists. This leads to serious problems. Untreated dental issues not only cause severe pain, make it hard to eat, and can keep people from going to school or work,…
Back to School, Back to the Dentist!
As you check off your back-to-school to-do list, don’t forget to schedule your family’s dental visit. A routine checkup ensures your child is healthy and ready to succeed without missing classroom time. Book your appointment today to get ahead of the school rush. And while you’re caring for the smiles at home, consider supporting the…
