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!
Mastication
The process of chewing food.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Molars
The three back teeth in each dental quadrant used for grinding food.
Mucogingival Junction (MGJ)
The meeting of thick, protective gingival tissue around the teeth and the mucous lining of the cheeks and lips.
Malocclusion
A ‘bad bite’ or misalignment of the upper and lower teeth.
Managed Care
A program whereby patient-dentist assignment and dentist reimbursement is administered by a separate, external organization.
Mandible
The lower jaw.
Margin
The interface between a restoration and tooth structure.
Maryland Bridge
A bridge that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth and requires minimum tooth reduction.
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,…
