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!
Topical Anesthetic
An ointment that produces mild anesthesia when applied to the tissue surface.
Torus
Common bony protuberance on the palate or lower jaw.
Transplant
The process of placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth.
Trauma
Injury caused by external forces, chemical or temperature extremes, or poor tooth alignment.
Trench Mouth
Gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue. See definition for ANUG.
Tartar
A common term for dental calculus, a hard deposit that adheres to teeth and produces a rough surface that attracts plaque.
Third-Party Provider
An insurance company, union or government agency that pays all or a part of cost of dental treatment.
TMD (or TMJ Disorder)
Temperomandibular disorder, the term given to the condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to open or move the jaw.
TMJ
The temporomandibular joint where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.
Tooth Bud
The early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth.
Resources
The Best & Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
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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,…
