Table: The Language of Dentists - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

The Language of Dentists

What Most People Call It	What Dentists Call It
Adult tooth	Permanent tooth
Aligners	Aligners or orthodontic appliances
Baby tooth	Deciduous tooth
Back teeth	Molars and premolars
Bite	Occlusion
Braces	Orthodontic bands and wires or appliances
Cap	Crown
Cavities Cavities Cavities are decayed areas in the teeth, the result of a process that gradually dissolves a tooth’s hard outer surface (enamel) and progresses toward the interior. (See also Overview of Tooth... read more	Caries
Cleaning	Prophylaxis
Composite filling	Composite resin
Eye teeth	Canines or cuspids
Filling	Restoration
Front teeth	Incisors and canines
Gums	Gingivae
Gum disease	Periodontal disease, periodontitis Periodontitis Periodontitis is a severe form of gingivitis, in which the inflammation of the gums extends to the supporting structures of the tooth. Plaque and tartar build up between the teeth and gums and... read more , or gingivitis Gingivitis Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the gums (gingivae). Gingivitis results most often from inadequate brushing and flossing but may result from... read more
Harelip	Cleft lip
Laughing gas	Nitrous oxide
Lower jaw	Mandible
Plate	Complete or partial denture (removable)
Roof of the mouth	Palate
Side teeth	Bicuspids or premolars
Silver filling	Amalgam restoration
Tartar	Calculus
Uneven bite	Malocclusion Malocclusion Malocclusion is abnormal alignment of the teeth and the way in which the upper and lower teeth fit together. Normally, the upper teeth overlap slightly outside the lower teeth. This overlap... read more
Upper jaw	Maxilla