The purpose of this article is to clarify some dental jargon that the public often find confusing. Many terms are synonymous and create frustration for individuals trying to learn about their dental anatomy. The fact that so often more than one medical or/and dental term represents the same thing does not help matters. I have provided some of the more common terms, with a brief description and clarification, with the hope that your understanding of dentistry will be enhanced.
Calculus: Same as "tartar", a built up of hardened calcified plaque. Not removable by toothbrush or floss. Only can be removed safely by a dentist or hygienist.
Crown: The part of the tooth you see; it is covered with a layer of enamel with underlying dentine. When your dentist makes you a crown he covers what is remaining of your natural crown with a man-made crown. Also known as a "cap" but patients often use this term mistakenly to describe a white filling used to replace a broken corner of a tooth.
Cusp: The pointed projections located on the chewing surface. Number of cusps varies with different teeth.
Cuspid: This tooth has only one cusp. The upper cuspid is also known as "eye teeth" since the root aims up to the eye. Also known as "canines" since dogs have very prominent cuspids. Adults and children have four.
Dentures: Usually describes a full denture when one has no teeth, but there are also "partial dentures" referred to as a "partial", used when some but not all teeth are missing.
Denturist: In Kentucky, someone not legally licensed who makes and repairs dentures.
Gingiva: the pink skin around the teeth. Also referred to as the "gums".
Gingivitis: A condition in which the gums are red, swollen, and bleeding. Most cases result from poor oral hygiene whereby plaque and calculus is not removed well enough thereby causing inflammation.
Impaction: A condition in which a tooth is prevented from erupting.
Implanted tooth: Short form is "implants" the only truly "screwed in tooth". This is used when you have lost the entire tooth (root as well as the crown). A fixture is screwed into the jaw bone which acts as a root, into which a man made crown in then screwed or cemented into place. Implants are also used to hold dentures into place.
Incisors: Four upper and four lower front teeth.
Jaws: We all have two, the upper is the "maxilla" and the lower the "mandible".
Molars: The very back and largest teeth. Rarely confused with other terms, but remember that your wisdom teeth are molars. Adults normally have twelve and children have eight baby molars.
Plaque: A film on the teeth made up of food debris, bacteria and salivary products. Turns into calculus if not removed within a few days. Removable with a toothbrush
Post and Core: This post and core is used by your dentist when your tooth has no more natural crown but still has a good root. The post and core is cemented into the root, then covered with a man-made crown.
Premolars: Term means "before molars" because these are in front of the molars. Also known as "bicuspids" because they have two cusps. We have eight premolars in the adult dentition, none in the baby dentition. However, the adult premolars do actually replace the primary molars once they exfoliate (come out).
Referred Pain: Pain in an area remote from the source. For example, upper molars will often cause pain to radiate to the head (temporal area) as well as the neck. Referred pain never crosses the midline.
Root: Part of the tooth not normally visible under the gums. The root is about twice as long as the crown.
TMJ: Stands for "temporomandibular joint" and describes the joint where the mandible hinges with the skull. Has a disk between the skull and the mandible that acts like a slippery cushion. The joint is encapsulated with fluid inside for lubrication. The joint is supported by strong collagenous bands called ligaments which connect the mandible to the skull. Joint movement is provided by the muscles of chewing (mastication). TMJ problems can be caused by any of these components or a combination of them. Toothwear, tooth mobility, clenching of teeth during stress, teeth grinding, muscle tenderness or pain, limitation or deviation of opening the mouth, joint sounds, joint pain or tenderness, certain headaches, all can be related to disfunctions of these components.
Should you need any clarification on any dental topic, please do not hesitate to contact us.
