Glossary of Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry Terms

Bonding (Adhesion)
Adhering tooth-colored resin materials to tooth surface to create a bond.

Bonding (Composite Resin)
Process by which enamel-like resin is bonded to a tooth's surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and polished.

Bridge
Fixed or removable dental appliance which replaces lost teeth.

Composite Resin
Tooth-colored filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles.

Cosmetic Contouring
Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.

Cosmetic Dentistry
The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health. Click here for more information on Cosmetic Dentistry.

Crown
A cap, cover, or restoration to replace the missing portion of a tooth. (This procedure can also correct general bite with individual teeth or replace missing teeth.) Click here for more information on crowns.

Dentin
The layer of tooth structure under the enamel.

Diastema
The space between two teeth.

Enamel
The hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin.

Fixed Bridge
A fixed dental appliance (used to replace a missing tooth/teeth) cemented or bonded to adjacent teeth which have been prepared to provide anchor supports.

Gingiva
Gum tissue.

High Lipline
Where the widest smile meets the gum tissue above the teeth.

Incisor
The central or lateral front teeth with cutting edges (4 upper and 4 lower).

Inlay
A porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) cemented or bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.

Implant
A fixed dental appliance used to replace missing teeth.

Laminate Veneer
A thin porcelain resin shell that is bonded to the enamel of front teeth.

Laminating
The process of applying a thin porcelain or composite resin veneer to a tooth.

Low Lipline
Where the widest smile barely reveals the bottom edges of the upper front teeth.

Malocclusion
A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.

Midline
An imaginary vertical line that divides the face into equal parts.

Onlay
A porcelain, resin, or gold filling that protects a tooth by covering the chewing surface.

Partial Denture (Bridge)
A fixed or removable dental appliance that replaces missing natural teeth.

Porcelain
A ceramic, tooth-colored material that fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-like substance.

Posterior-bonded Composite Resin
Tooth-colored fillings primarily used for back teeth.

Resin-bonded Bridge
A thin metal or glass fiber-reinforced bridge which requires slight or no reduction of anchor teeth.

Rubber Dam
A thin rubber sheet applied to teeth to control moisture during dental procedures.

Veneers (Porcelain or Composite)
Ultra-thin, custom-made laminates bonded to teeth, especially effective for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth. Click here for more information on Veneers.

Walking Bleach
A method used to lighten a tooth that has darkened after root canal treatment.

Whitening
The process of brightening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with in-office power bleaching method or dentist-supervised, at-home whitening systems.