Study the 20 vocabulary terms below. Then continue to the activities.
- Braces
- Bridge
- Cavity
- Crown
- Decay
- Dental hygienist
- Dental surgeon
- Dental technician
- Dentures
- Enamel
- Endodontist
- Extract
- Filling
- Gingivitis
- Gums
- Implant
- Jaw
- Oral
- Orthodontist
- Root canal
Noun (thing)
a set of wires worn on teeth to push them into the correct position
I noticed gaps between my son's teeth and I think he might need braces.
Noun (thing)
a fixed dental appliance, anchored to the surrounding teeth, used to replace one or more missing teeth
A prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth is called a bridge.
Noun (thing)
a hole in a tooth caused by decay
I went to the dentist for a check-up and he noticed two cavities that have to be filled.
Noun (thing)
a type of tooth restoration that covers all or most of the natural tooth
A crown is often a recommended solution if a tooth has been broken or is at high risk of breaking due to large fillings or cracks.
Noun (thing)
a bacterial infection which causes demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth
Brush your teeth after each meal to prevent tooth decay.
Noun (person)
a member of the dental team whose job involves cleaning people’s teeth and giving advice on how to care for them
Ask your hygienist to show you the best way to brush and floss your teeth.
Noun (person)
a medical professional that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity
The profession of a dentist can also be referred to as 'a dental surgeon', but this name is rarely used.
Noun (person)
a member of the dental team who constructs custom made crowns, bridges and implants
To construct the crown, the dental technician will need a dental model.
Noun (thing)
a removable dental appliance, used to replace multiple missing teeth
It is suggested to use dentures if there are insufficient teeth to support a bridge.
Noun (thing)
the hard white outer layer of teeth
Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and contains the highest percentage of minerals.
Noun (person)
a dental professional who specializes in the treatment of root canals
The dentist told me that the nerve had to be removed and the root would have to be filled, so I made an appointment with an endodontist.
Verb (infinitive)
to remove a tooth
The cavity was so large and decay so widespread that the tooth had to be extracted.
Noun (thing)
a mass of metal or plastic used to replace a hole in a tooth
I have to make an appointment with my dentist because one of my fillings has fallen out.
Noun (thing)
inflammation of the soft gum tissue and abnormal loss of bone that surrounds the teeth
At an early stage, gingivitis is non-destructive, but in the absence of treatment it will progress to periodontitis, which is a destructive disease.
Noun (thing)
the soft tissue inside the oral cavity in which teeth are fixed
Improper oral hygiene may lead to gum disease.
Noun (thing)
a small titanium fixture that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth
An implant is placed in the jaw bone and serves as an anchor for a replacement tooth.
Noun (thing)
the lower part of the face which includes the bottom teeth
Disorders of the jaw joint can cause pain similar to toothache.
Adjective
connected or related to the mouth
The interface between medicine and dentistry is called oral medicine.
Noun (person)
a dentistry professional who straightens teeth
Consult an orthodontist if your teeth are crooked or there are gaps between them.
Noun (thing)
a hollow thin space inside the root of a tooth that can become infected
Treating the nerve of a tooth is referred to as root canal treatment.