odontology

American  

[oh-don-tol-uh-jee, od-on-] / ˌoʊ dɒnˈtɒl ə dʒi, ˌɒd ɒn- /

noun

1. the science dealing with the study of the teeth and their surrounding tissues and with the prevention and cure of their diseases.

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odontology British  

/ ɒˌdɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌɒdɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of science concerned with the anatomy, development, and diseases of teeth and related structures

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Other Word Forms

• odontological adjective
• odontologist noun

Etymology

Origin of odontology

First recorded in 1810–20; odonto- + -logy

Example Sentences

Among the specialists called on to assist in the identification of victims is Jim Wood, an expert in forensic odontology, the use of dental records to match teeth found in the ashes.

From New York Times

Its free services include forensic odontology and fingerprint examination, as well as forensic anthropology and DNA analyses through the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification laboratories.

From Seattle Times

Dentistry, and by implication odontology, thus treads a fine line between being fraught and fascinating.

From Nature

The odontology board also issued new guidelines that say experts should no longer make identifications but instead limit testimony to including or excluding a person as a potential contributor or declaring results inconclusive.

From Washington Post

The report that had the biggest impact on the commission's decision was one from a scientist who was once regarded as a proponent of forensic odontology.

From BBC