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Dentistry vocabulary · Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Maxilla

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/mækˈsɪlə/nounCommon term

In dentistry, maxilla means: The upper jaw bone. It holds the upper teeth, forms most of the hard palate, and contains the maxillary sinuses above the back teeth.

In Turkish: maksilla, üst çene, üst çene kemiği

How it is used

The adjective is maxillary (maxillary molars, maxillary sinus). Because the sinus lies close to the roots of the upper molars, dentists check it on X-rays before extractions and implants, and a sinus lift may be planned.

Example sentences

  1. The roots of the upper first molar project into the maxillary sinus.

  2. There isn't enough bone in the posterior maxilla for a standard implant.

Common collocations

  • maxillary sinus
  • maxillary molars
  • posterior maxilla
  • maxillary arch
  • mandibleThe lower jaw bone. It holds the lower teeth, moves at the jaw joints, and contains the canal of the nerve that supplies feeling to the lower teeth and lip.
  • palateThe roof of the mouth. The front part, the hard palate, is bone covered with soft tissue; the back part, the soft palate, is muscle and moves when you swallow.
  • dental implantA small screw, usually made of titanium, placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once it has fused with the bone, it supports a crown, bridge or denture.
  • TMJShort for temporomandibular joint: the joint just in front of each ear that connects the lower jaw to the skull and lets the mouth open, close and move sideways.

More terms: Teeth and Oral Anatomy

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.