Apoptosis is a well defined mode of cell death which plays an important role in the development, regulation, and maintenance of the cell count in all multicellular organisms. It is responsible for the cell-death events that occur right from the formation of the early embryo and the sculpting and moulding of organs in adult life. Apoptosis has role in both health and diseases with defective apoptotic mechanisms leading to wide range of pathologies including oral diseases. This review focuses on the role and significance of apoptosis in various physiologic as well as pathologic processes affecting the oral cavity.