ie-mgds-rcsi key terms

The hard, highly mineralised outer layer covering the crown of a tooth, composed mostly of hydroxyapatite crystals and unable to regenerate once mature tooth structure is lost.

The sensitive, tubular hard tissue lying beneath enamel and cementum that forms the bulk of the tooth and continues to be laid down throughout life.

The soft tissue at the centre of a tooth containing nerves, blood vessels and connective cells, which supplies the tooth and produces dentine.

A thin calcified layer covering the root surface that anchors the periodontal ligament fibres and remodels in response to tooth function.

The fibrous tissue between the tooth root and the bony socket that suspends the tooth, absorbs chewing forces and carries proprioceptive nerve endings.

The part of the jaw bone that forms and supports the tooth sockets, remodelling throughout life in response to tooth presence and loading.

A diet- and bacteria-driven disease in which acids demineralise tooth tissue, producing progressive cavities in enamel and then dentine.

A sticky, structured biofilm of bacteria and their products that adheres to tooth surfaces and drives both caries and gum inflammation.

Mineralised plaque that hardens on teeth and below the gum line, providing a rough surface that retains further plaque and cannot be removed by brushing.

Reversible inflammation of the gums caused by plaque, producing redness, swelling and bleeding on brushing without loss of supporting attachment.

Destructive inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues in which attachment and alveolar bone are progressively lost, potentially leading to tooth mobility and loss.

A pathologically deepened space between the gum and the tooth root, measured clinically as probing depth and indicating loss of attachment.

Inflammation of the dental pulp, usually from caries or trauma, causing pain that may be reversible or progress to irreversible damage and pulp death.

A collection of pus at the root apex arising from infected, necrotic pulp tissue, typically causing severe pain, tenderness to biting and swelling.

A procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp, cleans and shapes the root canal system, and seals it to retain a tooth that would otherwise be extracted.

A mineral that strengthens enamel against acid attack and promotes remineralisation, delivered through toothpaste, water or professional varnishes.

A resin coating applied to the deep grooves of molar and premolar teeth to block plaque retention and prevent caries in susceptible pits and fissures.

Professional removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces, including below the gum line, to treat and prevent periodontal disease.

The controlled removal of a tooth from its socket, indicated when a tooth is unrestorable, severely mobile or causing infection or crowding.

Painful inflammation of the bony socket after extraction, caused by loss of the protective blood clot, typically presenting with severe pain a few days after the procedure.

Reversible numbing of a region of the mouth by blocking nerve conduction, used to permit painless dental treatment while the patient stays conscious.

An agent such as adrenaline added to local anaesthetic solutions to constrict blood vessels, prolong numbness and reduce bleeding and systemic absorption.

An X-ray image of teeth and jaws used to detect caries, bone loss, infection and impacted teeth, including periapical and bitewing views.

A radiograph showing upper and lower crowns and crestal bone on one side, used mainly to detect approximal caries and bone loss.

The way the upper and lower teeth meet and move against each other during closing and chewing, influencing wear, stability and jaw function.

Habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth, often during sleep, which can cause tooth wear, jaw pain and failure of restorations.

The paired joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull, permitting opening, closing and sideways jaw movement and a site of pain and clicking disorders.

A removable or fixed prosthesis that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissue to restore appearance, speech and chewing function.

A titanium fixture surgically placed into jaw bone to support a crown, bridge or denture, relying on close bone-to-metal contact for stability.

A tooth that cannot fully erupt into its normal position because of crowding, obstruction or abnormal angulation, commonly a lower wisdom tooth.

Any misalignment of the teeth or incorrect relationship of the dental arches that may affect function, appearance and susceptibility to trauma or decay.

The dental specialty concerned with diagnosing and correcting irregularities of tooth position and jaw relationship using braces, aligners and growth guidance.

A malignant growth arising in the mouth or lips, often linked to tobacco and alcohol, and detected through screening for persistent ulcers or lumps.

Removal of a tissue sample for laboratory examination to establish or confirm a diagnosis, essential when a lesion may be malignant.

The moist lining of the mouth, varying from keratinised to non-keratinised, which protects underlying tissue and can show signs of local or systemic disease.

A patient's voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving and understanding information about its nature, benefits, risks and alternatives.

A structured record of a patient's past and current health, medicines and allergies, used to identify risks and adapt dental treatment safely.