Essential Dental Anatomy and Clinical Terminology

Oral Anatomy and Dental Structures

• Mouth (Boca): Another term for the oral cavity.
• Oral Cavity (Cavitat Oral): Another name for the mouth.
• Teeth (Dientes): Hard, white, enamel-covered structures used to chew and bite food.
• Tongue (Lengua): A muscle located at the base of the oral cavity used to speak and eat.
• Tonsils (Amígdalas): Structures located at the left and right sides of the palatoglossal arch.
• Uvula: A cone-shaped tissue that hangs down from the soft palate.
• Hard Palate (Paladar Duro): The bony front portion of the roof of the mouth.
• Soft Palate (Paladares Blandos): A fibrous and muscular soft tissue that comprises one-third of the roof of the mouth.
• Upper Lip (Labio Superior): A structure made of soft, pink tissue close to the nose.
• Lower Lip (Labio Inferior): Located near the chin.
• Gums (Encías): Comprised of soft, pink tissue that covers the roots of the teeth and helps hold them in place.
• Palatoglossal Arch (Arco Palatogloso): A structure bordered on each side by the tonsils.

Dental Actions

• Chop: Cortar
• Grind: Moler
• Tear: Desgarrar
• Chew: Masticar
• Crush: Aplastar
• Cut: Cortar

Types of Teeth and Jaw Anatomy

The patient had her wisdom teeth (muelas del juicio) removed by an oral surgeon. The canines are very pointy compared to other teeth. Premolars are smaller than the molars they are positioned in front of. The front incisors are usually the first teeth children lose. Food is pushed back to the molars so that it can be ground up further.

Jawbone (Maxilar): The bone that forms the shape of the lower part of the face.

Tooth Anatomy and Clinical Vocabulary

• Root Canal (Conducto Radicular): A set of narrow spaces inside the root of the tooth.
• Dentin (Dentina): The layer of living cells under the enamel.
• Blood Vessel (Vaso Sanguíneo): A tube that moves blood around the body.
• Crown (Corona): The visible section of the tooth above the gumline.
• Cementum (Cemento): A layer of hard substance that covers the root.
• Nerve (Nervio): A body part that carries messages between the brain and the body.

Dental Office Personnel and Facilities

• Advice: Consejo
• Staff: Personal
• Back Office: Oficina administrativa
• Dental Therapists: Terapeutas dentales
• Lab Technician: Técnico de laboratorio
• Front Office: Oficina principal
• Financial Coordinator: Coordinador financiero
• Office Manager: Gerente de oficina
• Waiting Room: Sala de espera
• Treatment Rooms: Salas de tratamiento
• Storage Room: Almacenamiento
• Restrooms: Baños