When you visit the dentist, you may have heard those in the office use words like enamel, maxillary, or other dental vocabulary. Knowing more about your teeth and dental definitions can help us overcome some fear of going to the dentist. Here are some common dental terms and vocabulary that explain the anatomy of your teeth. Mountain View Dental thinks it is important for our patients to learn more about our oral anatomy.
1- Cusp
The cusp is the tip or the point of the tooth. Depending on the type of teeth, depends on the kind of tooth. Canine teeth have one cusp, premolars have two, and molars have four or five.
This part of the tooth is used for the tearing and grinding of foods during chewing.
2- Dentition
Your whole set of teeth is called your dentition. Scientists and forensics use dentition to tell what species a skull came from. They do this by looking at where the teeth are set, how many teeth are in each section, the total number of teeth in the skull, and their age.
3- Dentin
Between the enamel and cementum is tissue called dentin. This makes up the majority of the tooth and contains tubules (small hollow sections) that allow us to feel hot, cold, acidic, and sticky on the nerves. Dentin causes sensitivity and helps to signal to our bodies what may be too hard on our teeth.
4- Enamel
When talking about dental terms and vocabulary, this is a term you have probably heard before. Enamel is what covers the whole tooth. It is the hardest tissue in the human body and is durable. While our enamel goes through a lot, eating, drinking, and talking can cause it to wear down. The loss of enamel is irreversible, so regular dental checkups are needed to protect it and keep your teeth from decay. Enamel is also translucent or see-through.
5- Gingiva
The pink fleshy part around our teeth may be commonly known as the gums, but the technical term is gingiva. This helps hold a tissue against the tooth itself.
6- Mandibular
The largest bone in the human skull is mandibular. It helps assist in chewing food and forms the look of our lower jawline. Not only does it help by holding our face shape and chewing food, but it is also the strongest bone in the facial skeleton.
7- Maxillary
Like the mandibular, the maxillary is part of the jaw. The maxillary bones form the upper jaw with an irregular shape that is connected in the middle. You can look for the maxillary in the lower part of your eye sockets and the sides of the nasal cavities. The maxillary holds upper teeth in the correct place, helps to hold the weight of the skull, and controls the depth of our voice. These two dental terms and vocabulary are ones that patients often are surprised to learn.
8- Occlusal
This term is used to describe the area of a tooth where we chew our food. Mostly referred to on the larger molars. In the posterior of the mouth, these teeth play the important role of grinding down food so that our tongues can maneuver the food back into our throats for digestion. Occlusal is just the beginning.
Chewing food is something that humans do multiple times a day, which means that the occlusal sees a lot of wear and is the prime spot for cavities.
9- Pulp
Inside the tooth, there are blood vessels and nerves. The pulp is a mass of connective tissue that lies underneath the dentin. Dentin and pulp work together to develop and survive inside the tooth.
10- Quadrant
Each section of your mouth is split up and makes 4 quadrants. The first quadrant starts in the upper right side of the mouth and moves around in a clockwise direction. Each quadrant has 8 teeth that make up that section. Quadrants are used for cleaning and helping the dentist determine what quadrant they are cleaning or drilling or what teeth have cavities. Teeth also have specific numbers for this reason too.
Dental Vocabulary With Mountain View Dental
We hope that this blog was helpful and that you learned more about dental terms and vocabulary. At Mountain View Dental, we offer many dental services for our patients. Proper dental care is essential for the life of teeth, while also helping boost our confidence. We are committed to bringing a greater quality of care to our patients. Mountain View has a team of dentists and hygienists that love their job, and want to help those of all ages feel comfortable at the dentist.
Dental cleanings help to prevent cavities and learn more about caring for all the parts of your teeth. The more you know, the better you can care for your health. Our whole staff wants to improve your dental health. Come visit our office and meet our friendly staff today.
