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".