Glossary of Dental Terms

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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!

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

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!

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!

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

D.D.S.

Doctor of Dental Surgery, equivalent to D.M.D.

D.M.D.

Doctor of Medical Dentistry, equivalent to D.D.S.

Decay

Destruction of tooth structure caused by toxins produced by bacteria.

Deciduous Teeth

Commonly called 'baby teeth,' the first set of teeth.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is a titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance. Whether you have lost one or more teeth due to decay or an accident, we can help you feel confident and get you smiling again with natural looking dental implants.

Dentin

Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel.

Dentition

The arrangement of natural or artificial teeth in the mouth.

Denture

Dentures are removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth. Whether you have lost teeth due to decay or an accident, we can help you feel confident and get you smiling again with properly fitting dentures. Let us work with you to determine what method works best for you.

Denturism

The production of dentures dispensed directly by laboratory technicians.

Diastema

A space between teeth.

Resources

Signs-of-emergency-dental-care

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10 Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care
How can you tell if your aches and pains are normal, or a real toothache you should be concerned about? Those seemingly small problems can quickly turn into a toothache you won’t forget if left untreated.
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Metal Braces vs. Invisalign: Which is Best?
If you’re considering performing an “orthodontist near me” search in the hopes of straightening your teeth, we want you to get the most out of your treatment plan, which is why we’re dishing out some straight talk on straightening teeth.
read more
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Blog

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
There are more than 3 million people in the United States who have dental implants and 500,000 more who get them each year according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
read more