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 • Nov. 14, 2018

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 • Nov. 4, 2018

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

From Nature • May 21, 2018

He has served as president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the odontology board.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2016

Odontol′ogist, one skilled in odontology; Odontol′ogy, the science of the teeth; Odontolox′ia, irregularity of teeth; Odontō′ma, a small tumour composed of dentine.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various