Glossario Dental ADA
Explicaciones claras y sencillas para términos dentales comunes y procedimientos para ayudarte a navegar tu viaje hacia la salud bucal con confianza.
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A
Abscess
An infection of a tooth or the gums, often painful and accompanied by swelling.
Acetaminophen
A common over-the-counter medicine used to relieve pain and reduce fever.
Abutment
A tooth or implant fixture used as a support for a dental prosthesis (like a bridge or crown).
Acid Etching
A process using a mild acid to roughen the tooth surface, helping dental materials bond more securely.
Adalgam
A silver-colored material, also known as silver filling, used for many years to restore decayed teeth.
Alveolar Bone
The part of the jawbone that surrounds and supports the roots of the teeth.
B
Bicuspid
Also called premolars, these are the teeth located between the canines and the molars.
Bitewing X-ray
A type of dental X-ray used to show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth in a specific area of the mouth.
Bleaching
A cosmetic procedure used to whiten and brighten the natural color of teeth.
Bridge
A fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth to adjacent teeth or implants.
Bruxism
The involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, which often occurs during sleep.
C
Calculus
Also known as tartar, it is hard, mineralized plaque that attaches to the teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional.
Canal
The narrow passage inside the root of a tooth that contains the pulp (nerves and blood vessels).
Caries
The professional term for tooth decay or cavities.
Cavity
An area of decay in a tooth.
Composite
A tooth-colored resin material used for fillings and bonding.
Crown
A custom-made 'cap' that covers a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength.
D
Decay
The progressive destruction of tooth structure caused by bacteria and acids.
Dentin
The hard tissue located beneath the enamel that makes up the bulk of the tooth.
Dentistry
The branch of medicine involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity.
Denture
A removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
Dry Socket
A painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction if the blood clot fails to form or is dislodged.
E
Enamel
The hard, protective outer layer of the tooth, which is the hardest substance in the human body.
Endodontics
A dental specialty that focuses on the study and treatment of the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots (e.g., root canal therapy).
Extraction
The removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone.
F
Filling
A restoration used to fill a cavity or repair a small break in a tooth.
Fluoride
A natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks.
G
Gingiva
The professional term for the gums.
Gingivitis
An early stage of gum disease characterized by inflammation, redness, and swelling of the gums.
Gum Disease
An infection of the tissues that support the teeth, ranging from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis.
H
Halitosis
The professional term for chronic bad breath.
Hygienist
A licensed dental professional who focuses on preventative care, including cleanings and patient education.
I
Impacted Tooth
A tooth that is unable to fully erupt into the mouth because it is blocked by another tooth or bone.
Implant
A titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial root for a replacement tooth or bridge.
Inlay
A custom-made restoration that fits within the grooves of a tooth's chewing surface.
J
Jawbone
The bone that supports the teeth and forms the structure of the mouth.
L
Laser Dentistry
The use of lasers to treat various dental conditions, providing more precise and often less painful treatment.
Lumineers
A specific brand of very thin porcelain veneers used to enhance the appearance of teeth.
M
Malocclusion
The misalignment of teeth or the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite).
Mandible
The lower jawbone.
Maxilla
The upper jawbone.
Molar
The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
Mouthguard
A protective device worn over the teeth to prevent injury during sports or to manage teeth grinding.
N
Nightguard
A type of mouthguard specifically designed to be worn during sleep to protect teeth from bruxism.
O
Occlusion
The way the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed.
Onlay
A custom restoration that covers one or more cusps (points) of a tooth.
Oral Surgeon
A dental specialist trained to perform surgical procedures in the mouth, jaws, and face.
Orthodontics
A dental specialty focused on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws (e.g., braces or clear aligners).
P
Palate
The roof of the mouth, consisting of the hard palate at the front and the soft palate at the back.
Panoramic X-ray
A single X-ray that provides a comprehensive view of the entire mouth, including all teeth and the jawbones.
Periodontics
A dental specialty focused on the health of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
Plaque
A sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth and can lead to decay and gum disease.
Prophylaxis
A professional dental cleaning intended to prevent disease.
Pulp
The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Q
Quadrant
One of the four equal sections into which the mouth is divided (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left).
R
Root Canal
A procedure used to save a badly decayed or infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and sealing the canal.
Root Planing
A deep cleaning procedure that involves smoothing the tooth roots to help gums reattach after periodontal treatment.
S
Scaling
The process of removing plaque and calculus from the tooth surfaces, especially below the gumline.
Sealant
A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent cavities.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth, such as the cheeks, gums, or tongue.
T
Tartar
Another name for calculus; hardened plaque that requires professional removal.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull, often the source of jaw pain and dysfunction.
Torus
A harmless, boney growth in the mouth, typically found on the palate or the inside of the lower jaw.
U
Unerupted Tooth
A tooth that has not yet broken through the gum into the mouth.
V
Veneer
A thin shell made of porcelain or composite material that is bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.
W
Whitening
Any process that makes teeth appear whiter, ranging from professional bleaching to over-the-counter products.
Wisdom Tooth
The third and final set of molars that typically erupt in the late teens or early twenties.
X
Xerostomia
The professional term for dry mouth, caused by a lack of saliva.
X-ray
Diagnostic images used by dentists to see parts of the teeth and bones that are not visible during a clinical exam.