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100 Terms Every Dental Assistant Should Know

February 4, 2026

100 Terms Every Dental Assistant Should Know

No. Term Definition
1. Abscess Localized pus infection near tooth.
2. Abutment Tooth or implant supporting a prosthesis.
3. Acid Etch Enamel conditioning with phosphoric acid.
4. Alginate Irreversible hydrocolloid impression material.
5. Alveolar Bone Jawbone surrounding tooth sockets.
6. Amalgam Silver-colored restorative filling material.
7. Anesthetic Drug that prevents pain sensation.
8. Antibiotic Prophylaxis Preventive antibiotics before certain procedures.
9. Antiseptic Rinse Mouth rinse reducing oral bacteria.
10. Apex Tip of a tooth root.
11. Apex Locator Measures working length in endodontics.
12. Aphthous Ulcer Painful recurrent canker sore.
13. Articulating Paper Marks occlusal contact points.
14. Aspiration Inhaling fluid or debris into airway.
15. Autoclave Steam sterilizer for instruments.
16. Bitewing Radiograph X-ray showing crowns and bone levels.
17. Bleaching Whitening teeth using peroxide agents.
18. Bonding Agent Adhesive promoting composite retention.
19. Bruxism Grinding or clenching of teeth.
20. Burnisher Instrument smoothing restorative material.
21. CAD/CAM Computer-aided design and milling restorations.
22. Calculus Hardened plaque on teeth.
23. Caries Tooth decay causing demineralization.
24. Cavitron Ultrasonic scaler for calculus removal.
25. Cementum Calcified tissue covering tooth root.
26. Cephalometric Radiograph Lateral skull X-ray for orthodontics.
27. Chairside Assistant Assists dentist during procedures.
28. Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial mouth rinse for plaque control.
29. Composite Resin Tooth-colored restorative filling material.
30. Cone Beam CT 3D dental imaging scan.
31. Cotton Roll Absorbent roll for isolation.
32. Crown Full-coverage restoration over tooth.
33. Curette Hand scaler for subgingival debridement.
34. Cusp Pointed chewing surface on tooth.
35. Dam Clamp Holds rubber dam on tooth.
36. Dental Dam Rubber sheet isolating treatment area.
37. Dental Implant Titanium root substitute placed in bone.
38. Dental Prophy Professional teeth cleaning procedure.
39. Dentin Hard tissue beneath enamel.
40. Dentition Set and arrangement of teeth.
41. Diastema Space between two teeth.
42. Disinfection Reduces pathogens on surfaces.
43. Dry Socket Painful clot loss after extraction.
44. Eruption Tooth emerging into oral cavity.
45. Evacuation Tip Suction tip removing fluids.
46. Exodontia Tooth extraction procedures.
47. Explorer Instrument detecting caries and calculus.
48. Extraoral Outside the mouth.
49. Face Shield PPE protecting eyes and face.
50. Fluoride Varnish Topical fluoride coating to prevent caries.
51. Frenum Fold of tissue attaching lips or tongue.
52. Full Mouth Series Complete set of dental X-rays.
53. Gauze Absorbent pad for bleeding control.
54. Gingiva Gum tissue around teeth.
55. Gingivitis Inflammation of gums without bone loss.
56. Glassionomer Fluoride-releasing restorative cement.
57. Gloves Hand PPE preventing cross-contamination.
58. Handoff Safe transfer of instruments chairside.
59. Handpiece Dental drill device for cutting.
60. High-Volume Evacuator Strong suction for aerosols and fluids.
61. HIPAA US patient privacy and security law.
62. Impression Negative mold of teeth and tissues.
63. Incisal Edge Cutting edge of anterior tooth.
64. Infection Control Practices preventing disease transmission.
65. Informed Consent Patient agreement after understanding treatment.
66. Intraoral Inside the mouth.
67. Isolation Keeping field dry and accessible.
68. Laminate Veneer Thin porcelain facing on tooth.
69. Light-Cure Hardening resin with curing light.
70. Local Anesthesia Numbs a specific area.
71. Matrix Band Forms contour for restorations.
72. Mouth Mirror Reflects light and retracts tissues.
73. Mucosa Soft lining tissue inside mouth.
74. N95 Respirator Mask filtering airborne particles.
75. Occlusion How upper and lower teeth meet.
76. Operatory Room where dental treatment occurs.
77. Oral Pathology Diseases of the mouth and jaws.
78. Orthodontics Correcting tooth and jaw alignment.
79. Panoramic Radiograph Wide-view X-ray of jaws.
80. Papilla Gum tissue between teeth.
81. Partial Denture Removable replacement for missing teeth.
82. Periapical Radiograph X-ray showing full tooth and apex.
83. Periodontal Pocket Deepened sulcus from periodontal disease.
84. Periodontitis Gum disease with bone loss.
85. Plaque Sticky bacterial biofilm on teeth.
86. Polishing Smoothing tooth surfaces after cleaning.
87. Post-Op Instructions Care directions after a procedure.
88. PPE Protective equipment for staff safety.
89. Prophylaxis Angle Rubber cup attachment for polishing.
90. Prosthodontics Restoring and replacing missing teeth.
91. Pulp Nerve and blood supply inside tooth.
92. Pulpitis Inflammation of dental pulp.
93. Radiolucent Appears dark on radiograph.
94. Radiopaque Appears light on radiograph.
95. Recall Scheduled follow-up hygiene visit.
96. Restoration Filling or crown repairing tooth.
97. Retraction Cord Cord displacing gingiva for impressions.
98. Root Canal Endodontic treatment removing infected pulp.
99. Root Planing Smoothing root surfaces to remove deposits.
100. Saliva Ejector Low-volume suction for saliva.

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