Introduction to Dental Terms

1. Introduction to Dental Terms By Judith A. Porter DDS, EdD

2. Basic terms regarding teeth in general

3. Okay, okay. WE will talk specifically about human teeth.

4. Teeth on the “top” are referred to as “maxillary” teeth and all of the maxillary teeth are referred to as the “maxillary arch.” Teeth on the “bottom” are called “mandibular” teeth and all of the mandibular teeth are referred to as the “mandibular arch.”

5. ANTERIOR TEETH When we talk about anterior teeth, we are referring to those from the canines (you may have heard the term “eye teeth”) forward.

6. Anterior teeth have specific names. The imaginary line between central incisors is called the Midline. The four front teeth are “incisors:” two central incisors and two lateral incisors.

7. We often have to be even more specific and will designate a tooth by not only name, but by position (arch and left or right – always the patient’s left or right side. Maxillary right central incisor Mandibular left lateral incisor Midline

8. Canines have special names, too! Maxillary right canine Maxillary left canine Mandibular left canine Mandibular right canine

9. Posterior Teeth Posterior teeth are all those behind the canines.

10. Premolars are usually the first two teeth behind the canines. Molars are the teeth behind the premolars. They are larger and have surfaces large enough for grinding.

11. As in the case of anterior teeth, professionals (we dentists) will talk about posterior teeth very specifically so we’re certain we all know exactly to which tooth we’re referring! Maxillary left first premolar Maxillary right first molar Mandibular left second molar Mandibular right second premolar Remember: we always refer to the patient’s left or right. Third molars (or wisdom teeth) are missing from this picture.

12. Let’s see how you’re doing!! 1 2 3 Name the teeth indicated as specifically as possible. 5 4

13. Answers!!! 1. Maxillary right central incisor 2. Maxillary left canine 3. Maxillary right first premolar 4. Mandibular right lateral incisor 5. Mandibular left second molar

14. Basic parts of the teeth Root apex refers to the tip of the root Root apices Root(s) Crown

15. Basic terms regarding tooth surfaces

16. Terms: Tooth surfaces • In many professional fields, a new language must be learned in order to communicate with other professionals. • It would be difficult for us to refer to a specific point on a tooth by merely saying…you know…the front of the tooth! • The word “front” might mean something different to each person.

17. Terms: tooth surfaces • In order to communicate more effectively and precisely with our colleagues, we have therefore adopted a rather unique and universal way of of directing another professional’s attention to a very specific place on each tooth. • The following section begins to explain some of these terms.

18. Mesial The term “mesial” refers to the area of the tooth closest to or facing the midline.

19. The mesial surfaces of these anterior teeth are marked in yellow. The midline is indicated in red.

20. Distal Distal refers to the surface of the tooth furthest from the midline.

21. Distal surfaces of these anterior teeth are indicated in green. Mesial and distal surfaces are also known as proximal surfaces if they face another tooth. Midline indicated in red The distal surfaces of wisdom teeth (or third molars) are NOT proximal surfaces because there are no other teeth behind them.

22. Usually, the mesial surface of one tooth meets the distal surface of another…except at the midline (indicated in red). Mesial for these maxillary anterior teeth is marked in yellow and distal in green.

23. Facial The term “facial” is a general one that refers to the surface of the tooth nearest the face. More specific terms are “labial” (pronounced lay-bee-ul)that means facing the lips (for anterior teeth) and “buccal”(pronounced buck-ul) that means facing the buccinator muscle of the cheek (for posterior teeth).

24. Facial Of these facial surfaces, those typically designated as “labial” are in orange and those referred to as “buccal” are outlined in blue.

25. Lingual Similarly, the surfaces of the teeth nearest the tongue (you guessed it!) are referred to as the “lingual” surfaces. The red ellipse indicates where the lingual surfaces are found.

26. We also talk about a precise spot on a tooth with directional terms. If a spot is toward the root, we say it is “apical.” The opposite end of the tooth is either referred to as “incisal” or “occlusal.” The word “incisal” is used for incisors because they incise or cut food. The word “occlusal” is used for premolars and molars because their surfaces are broad enough to grind food.

27. Let’s see how you’re doing! Please match the terms with the correct answer. 1. The surface toward the face 2. The surface toward the midline 3. The surface nearest the tongue 4. The surface furthest from the midline • Mesial • Distal • Labial or buccal • Lingual

28. ANSWERS • C • A • D • B If these were your answers, you’re doing great!!!

29. Line Angles A line angle is a line formed by the junction of Two Surfaces or planes of a tooth and derives its name from those two surfaces.

30. Line Angles

31. Point Angles Point Angles are defined as a point formed by the junction of Three Surfaces and derives its name from those surfaces. It’s difficult from this picture of a single tooth to tell which is mesial or distal. Don’t worry about that now! This explanation is just to get the general concept.

32. You’ll learn many more terms in the “language” of dentistry once you get here and we have a chance to work together. We like to have suggestions from our students and this short presentation is a result of suggestions from last year’s first-year students. They felt it would be much more helpful to learn some terms before you get here so it won’t be as overwhelming in your first two weeks!!

33. We hope you enjoyed this short introduction! If you have any questions, feel free to email me! Jap002@dental.umaryland.edu Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!