dental

1 of 2

adjective

den·​tal ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce dental (audio)
1
: of or relating to the teeth or dentistry
2
: articulated with the tip or blade of the tongue against or near the upper front teeth
dentally
ˈden-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce dental (audio)
adverb

dental

2 of 2

noun

: a dental consonant

Examples of dental in a Sentence

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Adjective
That shift could give bio-repair gels and serums a much bigger role in dental care down the road, especially as researchers learn how to work with the body’s own minerals and repair processes rather than just covering up the damage. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 Of those four, Humana was the only payer that didn’t decrease dental allowances. — Caroline Catherman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Treatments for erosion and sensitivity could expand The researchers see a range of possible uses, including treatments for enamel erosion, products for sensitive teeth and materials that help fillings and other dental restorations last longer. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 Fred Riccardi, president of the Medicare Rights Center in New York, says A and B don't cover vision, dental, hearing care or any prescription drugs. — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dental

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin dentalis, from dent-, dens

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dental was in 1594

Phrases Containing dental

Rhymes for dental

See All Rhymes for dental

Browse Nearby Words

Dent
dental
dentale
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dental. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dental

adjective
den·​tal
ˈdent-ᵊl
: of or relating to the teeth or dentistry
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin dentalis "relating to the teeth," from dent-, dens "tooth" — related to dandelion, indent, trident

Medical Definition

dental

adjective
den·​tal ˈdent-ᵊl How to pronounce dental (audio)
1
: relating to, specializing in, or used in dentistry
dental surgery
dental students
2
: relating to or used on the teeth
dental paste
dentally
-ē How to pronounce dental (audio)
adverb
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