Dental Assisting Section 2 Terminology & Anatomy

Enamel

A hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the tooth crown.

Alveolar Process

A opening in your jaw-bone in which a tooth is attached.

Periodontal Ligament

A system of collage-nous connective tissue fibers that connect the root of a tooth to its alveolus. Soft tissue lining the tooth socket.

Gingival Recession

Can cause exposure to the root

TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint

Dentin

That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum

What makes occlusion possible?

The ability of the lower jaw to move.

Anatomic Root

The area from the cervix to the apex.

Cervix (Neck)

The area where the crown joins the root.

Pharnyx

The beginning of the throat; allows both the passage of air for respiration and the swallowing of food.

Hard Palate

The bony portion of the roof of the mouth; is located in the anterior (front) portion of the mouth. It's covered by a thin epithelial (tissue) casing known as the oral mucosa.

Cuspal

The chewing or tearing points of the cuspids, bicuspids, and molars.

Clinical Root

The distance from the crestal height of the alveolar bone to the apex of the tooth.

Quadrants

The four parts of your mouth, that is the upper left, the upper right, the lower left, and the lower right.

Buccal

The tooth surface which is next to your cheeks. Usually only posterior teeth touch your cheeks, so people usually use the term only when talking about back teeth.

Central

The two upper and two lower teeth in the very center of your mouth.

Apex

The very bottom of the root of your tooth.

Palate

This area makes up the superior (upper) portion of the oral cavity as well as the inferior (lower) portion of the nasal cavity. A long structure covered by several soft tissue components. "Roof of the mouth"

Epithelial

Tissue

Periodontium

Tissue surround and supporting the teeth.

Dorsal Surface

Top surface of the tongue covered with a thick epithelial covering. Also contains many valleys and ridges.

Meniscus

Tough connective tissue.

Frenum

a loose, fibrous connective tissue that's covered by oral mucosa. There are four frena located on the maxillary and mandibular arches

First Bicuspid

the teeth just behind the cuspids. These teeth have two cuspals (or points).

The maxillary arch of permanent dentition contains __ teeth.

16

Oropharnyx

Behind the oral cavity, and extends from the base of the tongue to the tonsils to the soft palate and the uvula.

Minor Salivary Glands

Also known as ductless glands. Located throughout the oral cavity. May be found on the buccal (cheek) mucosa, palate, or lips.

Secondary Dentition

Another name for permanent teeth.

Incisor

Another name for the centrals and laterals.

Canine

Another name for the cuspids.

Wisdom Tooth

Another name for the third molar.

6 Year Molar

Another name for your first molar.

12 Year Molar

Another name for your second molar.

Saliva

Begins digestion through enzymatic breakdown of food; facilitates swallowing; cleans food debris away from teeth and soft tissue structures.

Nasopharnyx

Behind the nasal cavity and extends from the level of the junction of the hard and soft palates to the base of skull.

Ventral Surface

Bottom of the tongue

Laryngopharnyx

Directly posterior to the epiglottis and extends to the larynx. Where the respiratory and digestive pathways diverge.

Cementoenamel Junction

Formed by the line where the enamel of the crown and cementum of the root meet.

Pharyngeal Reflex

Gag Reflex

Cementum

Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root, attaching to the periodontal ligament.

Primary Lateral Incisor

Incisor that performs the same function as the central incisor.

Palatine Rugae

It's located in the area where the mucosa folds into irregular ridges just behind the maxillary (upper jaw) anterior teeth.

Parotid Gland

Largest of the salivary glands, located on both sides of the oral cavity, just in front of and below each ear. Contained within the soft tissue of the cheek.

Submandibular Glands

Located below the posterior portion of the mandible. Termed the "mixed glands". Used for lubrication as well as digestion.

Soft Palate

Located posterior to (behind) the hard palate. It's made of soft tissue, including muscle and oral mucosa. Aids in the process of swallowing.

Oral Mucosa

Made of a dense, highly proliferating (growing) tissue that allows it to regenerate (form again) quickly.

Uvula & Tonsils

Made up mainly of lymphatic tissue to assist in fighting infection.

Pit

Small, deep point on the occlusal or buccal surface of molars.

Gingiva

Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of teeth that have erupted. Also known as gums.

Crown

The part of your tooth above your gums.

Gums

The pink areas around your teeth.

Cuspid

The pointy teeth just behind the laterals. These teeth have one cuspal (or point). Also known as canines.

Root Canal

The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.

Root

The portion of your tooth that anchors it in the jaw.

Mixed Dentition

The presence of erupted of primary and permanent teeth in the oral cavity. Having adult and baby teeth.

Apical Foramen

The section at the root apex where the pulpal material enters a tooth.

Sublingual Glands

The smallest of three major salivary glands. Located on the lower anterior floor of the mouth, on either side of the tongue.

Pulp

The soft inner structure of a tooth, consisting of nerve and blood vessels.

Pulp Chamber

The space occupied by the pulp.

Lateral

The teeth just adjacent to the centrals.

Second Bicuspid

The teeth just behind the first bicuspids. These teeth also have two cuspals (or points).

Second Molar

The teeth just behind the first molar. These teeth also have a level surface with four cuspals.

First Molar

The teeth just behind the second bicuspids. These teeth have a level surface with four cuspals.

Third Molar

The teeth just behind the second molars. These teeth also have a level surface with four cuspals.

maxillary

Upper set of teeth

Tongue

Used with speech, breathing, tasting, and mastication.

Dorsal Epithelium

Where the taste buds are located.

Posterior Teeth

Your bicuspids and molars. These are the teeth in the back of your mouth.

Anterior Teeth

Your centrals, laterals, and cuspids. These are the teeth in the front of your mouth.

Secondary Teeth

Your permanent teeth, i.e. the second group of teeth to come in; adult teeth.

Deciduous Teeth

Your primary, or "baby teeth".