Basic Dental Terminology Lecture

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Ryan
• Audience: Dental students, pre-dental students, dental hygiene students, dental patients
• Objective: Update on basic dental terminology

Orientation with the Mouth

• Anatomy
  • Lips: Form outer border
  • Teeth
  • Tongue
  • Palate: Roof of the mouth
    • Hard palate (front)
    • Soft palate (back), includes uvula
  • Tonsils: Part of immune system
• Teeth Arrangement
  • Upper (Maxillary) Arch
  • Lower (Mandibular) Arch

Types of Teeth

• Incisors: 4 in each arch (central and lateral), used for slicing food
• Canines: 2 in each arch, also called eye teeth, used for tearing
• Premolars: First and second premolars in each quadrant, used for tearing, holding, and grinding
• Molars: Three molars per quadrant, third molars are wisdom teeth, used for grinding
• Primary Dentition (Baby Teeth): 20 teeth, erupt around 6 months, no premolars, exfoliate by age 12
• Permanent Dentition (Adult Teeth): 32 teeth, start erupting around age 6

Tooth Numbering Systems

• Universal System: Used in the US, numbers from 1 to 32
• Palmer Notation: Divides mouth into quadrants, uses numbers 1-8 per quadrant
• FDI System: Two digits; first for quadrant, second for tooth position (1-8)
• Primary Dentition Systems: Use letters (A-T in Universal, a-e in Palmer, and quadrants 5-8 in FDI)

Tooth Surfaces

• Facial Surface: Front, also called labial (front teeth) or buccal (back teeth)
• Lingual Surface: Back, also called palatal (upper arch)
• Mesial Surface: Closest to midline
• Distal Surface: Furthest from midline
• Occlusal Surface: Chewing surface, called incisal in anterior teeth

Layers of Teeth

• Enamel: Hard, outer layer
• Dentin: Softer, beneath enamel
• Pulp: Contains nerves and blood vessels
• Gums (Gingiva): Surround teeth
• Alveolar Bone: Holds teeth roots
• Cementum: Covers tooth root
• Periodontal Ligament: Connects tooth to alveolar bone

Common Dental Diseases

• Caries (Tooth Decay): Caused by bacteria and sugar, results in cavities
• Gum Disease:
  • Gingivitis: Inflammation, reversible
  • Periodontitis: Severe, irreversible, can lead to tooth loss

Dental Treatments

• Restoration: Repairs of teeth, includes fillings, crowns, bridges
• Materials:
  • Amalgam: Metal fillings
  • Composite: Tooth-colored fillings
• Other Treatments:
  • Sealants, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants, Extractions, Root Canal Treatments, Veneers, Scaling, and Root Planing

Dental Specialties

• Dental Anesthesiologists, Public Health Specialists, Endodontists, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathologists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Orofacial Pain Specialists, Orthodontists, Pediatric Dentists, Periodontists, Prosthodontists

Miscellaneous Dental Terms

• Abrasion, Band, Bitewing, Bruxism, Calculus (Tartar), Cusp, Dry Socket, Erosion, Impacted Tooth, Malocclusion, Occlusal Guard, Periodontal Pocket, Retainer, Sublingual, TMJ and TMD, Xerostomia

Conclusion

• Encouragement to learn more and support the channel on Patreon.
• Reminder to subscribe for more dental content.