cavity
KAV-uh-tee
/ˈkæv.ə.ti/
A hollow space or hole in a tooth caused by dental decay.
In dentistry, it specifically means a structural hole formed in a tooth due to bacterial acid erosion.
The story behind the word. Cavity originates directly from the Latin word 'cavus', meaning 'hollow'. Early medical practitioners used 'cavitas' to denote any hollow area or pit within organs or bones, and by the 18th century, English dentists adopted it specifically for the structural holes left in teeth by acid erosion.
Word relationships
- caries: Caries is the clinical term for the decay process itself, whereas a cavity is the physical hole that results.
Commonly confused with
- decay: Decay is the continuous process of rotting, while a cavity is the resulting physical hole in the tooth.
Word family
- cavities (noun): Plural form of cavity.
Collocations
- fill a cavity
- cavity prevention
- develop a cavity
- dental cavity
Example sentences
- "The dentist discovered a small cavity in his lower molar during the routine checkup." Pediatric dentistry
Memory hook
A CAVITY is a CAVE inside your tooth. CAVITY = Cave in a tooth.
When not to use
Avoid using cavity to describe temporary tooth staining or surface discoloration that has not eroded the tooth.
Fun facts
- Dental cavities are one of the world's most common chronic health conditions, affecting almost 90% of adults globally at some point.
Explore more words
cavitation, vacancy, follicle, lacuna, preservative, excavate
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