Basic Dental Terminology

A lot of the words that we use to describe teeth and the mouth as dentists are much more complicated than the ones that are used by non-dentists. So what are some of these words that make up dental terminology?

• Human dentition: this means the teeth that are located in the lower and upper jaws. So, when you hear or read this word, it basically means all your teeth. 
• Maxillae: this is the upper jaw. 
• Maxillary teeth: these teeth are part of the maxillae that are the arch, so they are in the front. 
• Mandible: this is the lower jaw. 
• Mandibular teeth: These teeth are located on the lower jaw. 
• Primary dentition: this is the first group of teeth we get as humans. They are commonly called "baby teeth" and there are 20 of them. 
• Permanent dentition: this is the second group of teeth we get as humans. They are commonly called our "adult teeth" and there are 32 of them. 
• Posterior: this is the area that is towards the back of the mouth. 
• Anterior: this is the area towards the front of the mouth. 
• Mesial: this is the middle, or midline. 
• Distal: This is away from the midline of your mouth. 
• Buccal: This is the cheek area of your mouth. 
• Lingual: This is the tongue area. 
• Facial: This is the area that is on your cheek or lip side of your mouth. 
• Palatal: This is the tongue side of your maxillary teeth. 
• Occlusal: This is the area of the mouth that are the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. 
• Incisal: This is the area of the mouth that are the biting surfaces of your front teeth. 

Now, you may not be a dentist in Park Ridge like me but at least now you know some basic dental terminology.