Glossary
Glossary for patients
Explanations of terms used in this guidance are provided in the alphabetical list below:
| A | |
| Abscess | A collection of pus in a tooth or the gum. This is caused by an infection, most commonly following tooth decay, gum disease or trauma to the tooth. |
| Adjunctive | An extra component of treatment that may not be regarded as essential in most situations but can be added in particular cases. For example, in periodontal treatment, adjunctive antibiotic therapy may be provided in addition to mechanical cleaning of teeth by the dentist. |
| Analgesia | Pain relief. May be provided as tablets (i.e. ‘painkillers’ such as paracetamol), numbing gels or local anaesthetic injections. |
| Apex | The tip of the root of the tooth in the bone. This is the part of the tooth furthest away from the crown and biting surface (Apices, plural). |
| Attachment loss | Loss of supporting gum and bone tissue around a tooth. |
| Alveolar bone | Bone of the jaws that surrounds the teeth. |
| B | |
| Biofilm | A mixture of microbial cells and the structures which hold them together to make one mass. Dental plaque is a biofilm. |
| Bitewing radiographs | X-ray images of the back teeth, usually taken to detect dental decay between the teeth but also to show the bone supporting the teeth. The top and bottom teeth are seen on one image |
| Bleeding index | An objective measure, recorded in %, of the amount of bleeding a person has from their gums. A low percentage indicates a low level of bleeding. |
| Bleeding on probing (BOP) | Bleeding observed from the base of a periodontal pocket when probed. Usually indicates active periodontal disease. |
| Basic periodontal examination (BPE) | A screening tool for detecting periodontal disease, plaque biofilm and calculus. |
| Bridge | A replacement for a missing tooth or teeth that is attached to the existing, natural teeth next to the space being addressed. |
| Buccal | The part of the tooth that is closest to the cheek (or face/lips, when considering the front teeth). |
| C | |
| Calculus | Hardened residue on the teeth caused by the build-up of dental plaque biofilm. Also known as tartar. |
| Caries | The disease that causes tooth decay. Also used to describe the resulting hole or cavity in the surface of the tooth enamel. See 'Decay |
| Cemento-enamel junction | The junction where the crown of the tooth (which is covered in enamel) meets the root (which is covered in cementum). This is usually close to the gum margin but becomes visible and exposed in periodontitis due to gum recession. |
| Chlorhexidine | A medication that has antimicrobial properties, sometimes found in specific mouthwashes for gum disease. |
| Crown | The part of the tooth visible above a healthy gum. Also used to describe a customised, tooth-shaped covering made from porcelain or metal which fits over a damaged tooth. |
| D | |
| Decay | The dental name for destruction of a tooth caused by acid, which is produced from sugars broken down by bacteria and plaque biofilm. Decay starts on the surface of the tooth and gradually spreads into the tooth. This can result in root canal infections and abscesses. |
| Dental hygienist | A dental professional who helps patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating caries and periodontal disease and promoting good oral health practice. |
| Dental therapist | A dental professional who helps patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating periodontal disease and promoting good oral health practice. Dental therapists can also carry out other duties, such as extracting ‘baby’ teeth and providing simple fillings for adult/permanent teeth. |
| Dentine | The middle layer of the tooth between the enamel (outer layer) and the pulp (inner layer). Dentine is less hard than enamel and contains small tubules which, when uncovered, lead to sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks. |
| Denture | A custom-made prosthesis used to replace missing teeth. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in that jaw; a partial denture replaces some of the teeth. |
| Distal | The 'back' of the tooth, i.e. the side of the tooth furthest from the midline of the face and which meets and contacts the tooth next to it |
| Dry mouth | A condition caused by a reduction in the flow of saliva in the mouth; the medical name is xerostomia. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. |
| E | |
| Enamel | The very hard white outer surface of a tooth which contains calcium and acts as a protective layer. |
| Endodontist | A dentist who specialises in root canal treatments. |
| Erosion | The process by which the enamel of a tooth is gradually worn away by regular exposure to acids found in fizzy drinks, certain foods, or stomach acids. |
| F | |
| Furcation | The point at which the roots of multi-rooted teeth (i.e. premolars or molars) divide at the base of the crown. Periodontitis can lead to bone being lost from around this area and it may become exposed. |
| FDI notation | One of the numbering systems used to identify which tooth is being described in each quadrant of the mouth (the FDI is the World Dental Federation). |
| G | |
| General dental practitioner (GDP) | A dentist trained in the general dental care of patients. This type of dentist provides routine care for patients of all ages (e.g. examination, disease prevention, fillings/crowns, root treatments and gum treatments as well as screening for oral cancer) and arranges specialist referral, if appropriate. |
| Gingivitis | The early form of gum disease which presents as red, swollen gums which may bleed when brushed. Gingivitis is reversible with simple treatment at this stage and is confined to the soft tissues without involving and destroying the underlying bone. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into more serious gum disease (periodontitis) where the bone holding the teeth in place is destroyed. |
| Gum disease | An infection of the gums caused by bacteria and the plaque biofilm which builds up on the teeth. This causes inflammation of the gums and the bone which holds the teeth in place. Includes both gingivitis and periodontitis. |
| Gum margin | The edge of the gum that surrounds the teeth. |
| H | |
| Halitosis | The medical term for bad breath; often caused by tooth decay or gum disease. |
| Host modulation therapy | A periodontitis treatment concept in which drug therapies are used in addition to conventional periodontal treatment to alter the way the gum tissues respond to inflammation. |
| Hypertension | The medical term for high blood pressure. |
| I | |
| Iatrogenic | A side effect or injury caused by treatment |
| Implant | A thin, titanium rod which can act as a replacement for a tooth root. The implant is inserted into the jaw where it fuses with the bone and acts as an anchor for a crown, bridge or denture. |
| Inflammation | The immune system’s response to an infection or an irritant (e.g. plaque biofilm) where white blood cells are released to fight infection and stimulate tissue repair. |
| Interdental papillae | The triangular wedge of gum tissue between two teeth that sit side by side. |
| J | |
| Junctional epithelium | Layer of soft tissue that is directly attached to the tooth or tooth root surface and has a protective function against periodontal diseases. |
| L | |
| Lingual | The part of the tooth that is closest to the tongue. |
| Local anaesthetic (LA) | A form of pain relief that only numbs the area to be treated. The patient remains awake throughout. |
| M | |
| Malocclusion | The dental term for upper and lower teeth that are out of position and/or alignment and may fail to meet properly when chewing or speaking. |
| Mandible | The medical name for the lower jaw. |
| Maxilla | The medical name for the upper jaw. |
| Mesial | The 'front' of the tooth i.e. the side of the tooth closest to the midline of the face and which meets and contacts the tooth next to it. |
| Molar | A large, chunky, flat-topped tooth which sits at the back of the mouth and is used to grind food. There are up to 6 molars in both the upper and lower jaw in an adult. |
| N | |
| Necrotic | Tissue which is dead or dying because of disease or injury. |
| Necrotising periodontal diseases | A specific class of aggressive gum diseases which are characterised by rapid onset, pain and loss of soft and hard tissues supporting the teeth. |
| Negative architecture of the papillae | The situation where the gum tissues between the teeth lie at a lower level on the root of the tooth than those on the inside or outside surfaces, causing a dip in the gum line between the teeth. |
| Non-surgical periodontal therapy | The process by which plaque biofilm and calculus are removed from the tooth and root surfaces without surgical lifting of the gums. |
| O | |
| Occlusal | Relating to the biting surface of a tooth. |
| Occlusal trauma | Damage to the teeth when they are overloaded by an abnormal bite or by excessive biting forces. |
| Occlusion | The way the teeth of the lower and upper jaws meet when biting. |
| Occlusal support | The support given to the jaw by teeth biting together in pairs (upper against lower teeth). |
| Oedema | A build-up of fluid which causes tissues to swell. |
| Ortho-pantomagraph (OPT) | A specific type of x-ray image which shows all of the teeth in one picture, along with the supporting bone. |
| Oral cavity | The technical term for the inside of the mouth. |
| Osseointegration | The process by which bone grows onto an implant to secure it in the bone. |
| P | |
| Periapical | The region around the tip of the tooth root in the bone. |
| Periapical radiograph | An x-ray image which shows the full extent a tooth and its surrounding bone. |
| Periodontist | A dentist who specialises in the treatment and prevention of gum diseases. They can also, in some cases, insert dental implants. |
| Periodontitis | The more serious form of gum disease which has progressed from gingivitis. It is caused by continued inflammation and infection in susceptible individuals and leads to destruction of the bone holding the tooth in place. If left untreated it can lead to loss of teeth. |
| Periodontal pocket | A space down the side of the tooth which forms when the gum becomes detached from the tooth due to inflammation. |
| Periodontal maintenance | See supportive periodontal care. |
| Periodontal pocket charting | A detailed examination of the gums carried out by a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist to give a full understanding of the extent of periodontal disease. It records periodontal pocketing, recession of the gums, tooth mobility, plaque biofilm and signs of inflammation (bleeding and pus). Also known as a 6-point pocket charting. |
| Plaque biofilm | A sticky biofilm caused by food particles and bacteria which builds up on the surface of the teeth. If plaque biofilm is not removed, it eventually hardens into calculus which can only be removed by a dental professional. Plaque biofilm is the major cause of periodontitis. |
| Plaque index | An objective measure, recorded in %, of how much plaque biofilm and debris is retained on a tooth surface. A low percentage indicates a low level of plaque biofilm. |
| Posterior support | The support provided to the jaws by the back teeth when the teeth in the upper and lower jaws bite together. Posterior support aids chewing and also prevents bite collapse and overloading of the front teeth. |
| Pre-molars | Flat, chisel shaped teeth near the back of the mouth, just in front of the molars. There are up to 4 pre-molars in the upper jaw and 4 pre-molars in the lower jaw in an adult. |
| Professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) | The process by which teeth are cleaned in the dental surgery by a dental professional |
| Prognosis | A forecast of the likely outcome in a particular situation. In dentistry this relates to how long it is predicted a tooth will last or how successful treatment for a particular condition may be. |
| Prosthesis | An artificial replacement for a missing body part; in dental situations this is commonly a denture or bridge. |
| Pulp | The centre of the tooth which is made from connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. The pulp reaches to the tip of the roots via the root canals. |
| Pulpitis | Inflammation of the nerve tissue inside the root canal system of a tooth. It is most often caused by decay in a tooth but can also result from trauma or where periodontitis is very severe. Pulpitis is a major cause of toothache and often requires management by root canal treatment. |
| R | |
| Randomized controlled trial (RCT) | A type of research study in which participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one (the experimental group) receives the intervention that is being tested, and the other (the comparison group or control) receives an alternative (conventional) treatment. It is considered the gold standard when comparing the effects of different treatments in managing a disease. |
| Recession | Loss of gum tissue, resulting in the gum margin moving down from the junction between the crown and root of the tooth and exposing the root surface. This can be caused by periodontitis but also by trauma, most commonly from toothbrushing too hard. It can also occur when teeth are in the wrong position. |
| Root | The bottom part of a tooth which anchors it within the jaw. |
| Root canal | A channel within the root of a tooth which contains the pulp and accessory canals. |
| Root canal treatment | Treatment carried out to remove inflamed nerve tissue from the root canal and to fill the space left with a root filling. |
| Root fracture | A condition where the root of the tooth cracks. It can be caused by trauma or overloading of the tooth. If this is in the long axis of the tooth it means the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted. |
| S | |
| Subgingival | The area of the tooth which is below the gum. |
| Suppuration | The presence of pus at an infected site. This indicates that either acute or chronic infection is present. |
| Supportive periodontal care | The phase of periodontal treatment, after the disease has been stabilised by an initial course of active non-surgical or surgical treatment, when the patient is seen regularly by a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist for monitoring and tooth cleaning to ensure disease does not recur. Also known as periodontal maintenance. |
| Supragingival | The area of the tooth which is above the gum. |
| Supramucosal | The area of an implant or its crown which lies above the gum. |
| T | |
| Tartar | Hardened residue on the teeth caused by the build-up of plaque biofilm. Also known as calculus. |
| Tooth mobility | The amount of movement of a tooth either side to side or up and down. When healthy, there should be minimal tooth mobility. |
| V | |
| Veneer | A natural tooth-coloured shell, made from porcelain, which is fitted onto the front of a tooth. Used within cosmetic dentistry to treat cracked, chipped or badly stained teeth to improve their appearance. |