Dental Exams Terminology
Explore our dental dictionary to learn about common dental exam terms. If you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you!
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General Exam Terms
- Bruxism: Grinding or clenching your teeth, usually during sleep.
- Caries: The technical term for tooth decay or cavities.
- Cavity: A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
- Dental Charting: The process of recording the condition of your teeth and gums on a chart.
- Occlusion: The way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you bite down.
- Oral Exam: The visual and physical examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues.
- Palpation: When the dentist uses their fingers to examine the tissues in your mouth.
- Periodontal Exam: An evaluation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth to check for gum disease.
- Plaque: A sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.
- Restoration: A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth (e.g., fillings, crowns).
- Tartar (Calculus): Hardened plaque that can build up on teeth and below the gumline.
Oral Cancer Screening Terms
- Biopsy: A small tissue sample taken for examination under a microscope.
- Erythroplakia: Red patches or spots in the mouth that may be precancerous.
- Leukoplakia: White patches or spots in the mouth that may be precancerous.
- Physical exam: The dentist uses their fingers to feel for any lumps, bumps, or irregularities.
- Visual exam: The dentist visually inspects the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities.
Dental X-ray Terms
- Bitewing X-rays: Show the upper and lower teeth in a specific area to check for decay between teeth.
- Dental X-rays: A type of image of the teeth and mouth to help dentists diagnose damage and disease that is not visible during a clinical dental examination.
- Panoramic X-ray: Provides a wide view of the entire mouth, including the teeth, jawbones, and sinuses.
- Periapical X-rays: Show the entire tooth, from crown to root, to assess the tooth’s health and surrounding bone.
- Radiolucent: Areas that appear dark on an X-ray, indicating less dense structures (like decay).
- Radiopaque: Areas that appear white or light gray on an X-ray, indicating denser structures (like fillings or bone).
Teeth Cleaning/Root Scaling Terms
- Calculus: Hardened plaque that can build up on teeth and below the gumline.
- Curettage: A procedure to remove diseased tissue from the periodontal pockets.
- Gingivitis: Early stage of gum disease, characterized by inflammation of the gums.
- Hygienist: A licensed dental professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and patient education.
- Periodontal pockets: Spaces or gaps that form between the gums and teeth due to gum disease.
- Periodontitis: Advanced stage of gum disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth.
- Prophylaxis (Prophy): A professional teeth cleaning that removes plaque, tartar, and stains.
- Scaling and Root Planing (SRP): The technical term for a deep cleaning.