Glossary of Dental Terms
A handy reference
Common Dental Terms
We’ve put together this handy reference guide of terms you might hear when speaking with your dentist or support staff.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your dental care provider for clarification. We’re here to help make your experience as pleasant as possible!
Freeway Space
The distance between the upper and lower teeth with the lower jaw in rest position.
Frenectomy
The removal or reshaping of thin muscle tissue that attaches the upper or lower lips to the gum, or the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Full Denture
A removable dental prosthesis (appliance) that replaces all upper or lower teeth.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Extensive restorations of natural teeth with crowns and/or fixed bridges to manage bite problems.
Facing
Tooth colored overlay on the visible portion of a crown that is made of acrylic, composite or porcelain.
FAGD
Fellowship Academy of General Dentistry.
Filling
Restoration of lost tooth structure with metal, porcelain or resin materials. We are proud that we use only the latest technologies for fillings. Your smile will remain unflawed if you should need a filling. Let us take care of your cavities with our expert filling processes.
Fistula
The channel that emanates pus from an infection site, which is a gum boil.
Flap Surgery
The lifting of gum tissue to expose and clean underlying tooth and bone structures.
Forceps
An instrument used for removal of teeth.
Resources
The Best & Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
Halloween treats do not have to be scary for your smile! Halloween is all about fun, costumes, and enjoying a few delicious treats with your family. While no sugary snack is perfect for your mouth, you do not have to skip the fun to keep your smile healthy. Understanding how different treats affect your enamel…
The Secret to Strong Teeth Starts With Healthy Gums
When you think of a great smile, you probably think of your teeth. But there is a quiet hero working behind the scenes: your gums! Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. Just like a house needs a strong foundation to stand tall, your teeth need strong gums to keep them safely anchored…
How You Can Make A Difference!
We believe that everyone deserves a reason to smile. Yet, millions of people go without basic dental care because of cost or a lack of nearby dentists. This leads to serious problems. Untreated dental issues not only cause severe pain, make it hard to eat, and can keep people from going to school or work,…
