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Denti- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “tooth.” It is used in some medical and scientific terms, including in dentistry.

Denti- comes from the Latin ��ŧ�Բ�, meaning “tooth.” Greek words for “tooth” are �ǻ�ṓn, source of the combining forms odonto- and -odont, and �ǻ��ú��, source of the combining form –odus.

What are variants of denti-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, denti- becomes dent-, as in dentin.

A less common variant of denti- is dento-, as in dentoalveolar.

One example of a term from anatomy that features the combining form denti- is dentigerous, meaning “having teeth.”

The denti- portion of the word means “tooth,” as we now know. The -gerous portion of the word means “bearing.” So, dentigerous literally translates to “tooth-bearing.”

What are some words that use the combining form denti-?

• denticle (using the equivalent form of denti- in Latin)
• dentiform
• dentifrice (using the equivalent form of denti- in Latin)
• dentilabial
• dentilingual
• dentiparous

What are some other forms that denti- may be commonly confused with?

• dendr-
• dendro-

The word dent, as in “a hollow or depression in a surface,” does not share a root with the combining form denti-. Learn where dent comes from at our entry for the word.

The combining form -form means “having the form of”—that is, “shaped” in some way. With that in mind, what does dentiform mean?