Abscess: A localized infection in the bone or soft gum tissues, usually at the end of the root tip. Treated with antibiotics and possibly a root canal, performed by an endodontist. (Click here if you need to find an endodontist in your area)
Abutment: The natural teeth that holds a fixed or removable bridge in place.
Air Abrasion: A device that uses tiny
particles
of aluminum oxide
blasted in a stream of air at the tooth to remove the decayed debris and ruined
enamel
of cavities. This procedure usually eliminates the need for anesthesia, though
it is not
usable for all procedures where a drill has normally been used.
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Amalgam: The most common filling material used for fillings, also referred to as mercury or silver, which are often contained in the mixture. Alternatives are composite resins, and gold or porcelain inlays.
Anesthesia: Drugs and procedures that relieve the sensation of pain. Various types include general anesthesia, IV sedation, needle-less anesthesia and local anesthesia.
Apicoectomy: Surgery to the root section of
the
tooth through the
side of the gums where the root is severed at the base of the tooth and the
tooth is then
filled. Usually done when a root canal has failed to
eliminate
pain or infection, and is generally performed by an endodontist.
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Apnea or Sleep Apnea: A disorder which is potentially fatal in which a person who is asleep may stop breathing multiple times for more than 10 seconds. A general dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeontreats this disorder.
Autoclave: A device
that
has a chamber where instruments are
placed and steam under pressure is injected in order to complete sterilization.
OSHA
(Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards require all dental
offices to
have sterilization procedures for instruments that
include the use of an autoclave.
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Bite: The way the mouth closes, or the way in which the upper and lower teeth meet. Refer to dictionary entries for malocclusion, TMD, orthodontics.
Bleaching: A process of whitening teeth that uses special compounds usually containing hydrogen peroxide. Sometimes lasers are used in conjunction with these compounds. The over-the-counter whitening products are not the prescription strength that dentists use and are therefore less effective.
Bonding: The covering of a tooth surface with
a
composite resin to correct stained or damaged teeth.
Done normally
if there is enough healthy natural tooth material, otherwise
porcelain veneers or crowns
would be
used.
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Braces: Devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth. There are several varieties of braces, from invisible, i.e., placed on the interior of the teeth rather than the exterior, to plastic to metal appliances. (Click here if you need to find an orthodontist in your area)
Bridge: Prosthetic (false) tooth or row of teeth that spans between two natural teeth to replace missing or lost teeth. An alternative to a bridge would be a dental implant.
Bruxism: Involuntary,
“nervous” grinding of the teeth
while the patient is asleep. Can eventually cause headaches, TMD,
loss of tooth surface and cracking. Treatment includes a nightguard
custom-made by a dentist from impressions made of the patient’s teeth.
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Calculus: (Also called tartar.) Calcified plaque that forms from mineral salts in the saliva and deposits on the teeth. Removed in the course of a prophylaxis, or dental cleaning. Some toothpastes claim to reduce tartar accumulation, but only regular dental checkups and professional cleanings can prevent this accumulation from causing gum disease and tooth loss.
Cap: (Also called a crown.) A porcelain or gold cover for a decayed, damaged, brittle, or discolored tooth.
Caries: The medical term for dental cavities.
Cavity: A decay lesion or
hole in a tooth, usually caused
by a diet which includes sugar, which allows bacteria to grow and secrete acid
onto
the enamel of the tooth.
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Cementum: A thin layer of calcified tissue that has the hardness of bone and covers the root surface of the tooth, connecting the root to the bone of the jaw.
Composite Filling: A tooth-colored filling composed of a polymer material that looks like a natural tooth. Used instead of metal amalgam. Alternatives are gold or porecelain inlays.
Crown: A porcelain or
gold
cover for a
decayed, damaged, brittle or discolored tooth.
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Cuspids: The large single-cusped (pointed) teeth at the corners of the mouth, located between the incisorsand bicuspids. Also known as canine teeth.
Cusps: The raised round parts on the chewing surface of the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth: (Also known as primary or baby teeth.) A child's first set of twenty teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.
Dental Floss: A waxed or unwaxed piece of
nylon
string that
is inserted between the teeth and moved in an up/down fashion for the removal
of plaque or
other food deposits. Essential care for healthy teeth and gums, at least once a
day.
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Dentin: The main portion of the tooth structure covered by enamel and surrounded by a layer of cementum along the root.
DentiPatch: An adhesive strip applied by the dentist to the gum to prevent pain of the local anesthetic injection. A type of needleless anesthesia.
Denture: A removable
set
of artificial teeth.
Dentures may be partial, that is, replacing only a
section of teeth,
or full, which would replace the entire upper or lower sections of teeth.
Dentures are most often created by a prosthodontist.
An alternative to dentures is dental implants.
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Diastema: The space between teeth, most often referring to the top two center teeth.
Digital Radiography:
The use of computer imaging rather
than traditional x-ray film to create and store images of
teeth.
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Electronic Anesthesia: Anesthesia that sends electrical impulses blocking pain signals to the brain through electrodes placed near the teeth. Used as an alternative to injected anesthesia, and not effective for all patients and procedures. Often referred to as H-Wave.
Enamel: The highly calcified covering over the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body.
Endodontics: The branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure is a root canal.
Endodontist: A
specialist who treats
injuries, diseases, and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve tissue).
(Click here if you need to find an endodontist in your area)
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Extraction: The removal of a tooth that is severely decayed, broken, loose, or causing crowding.
Filling: Restoring lost tooth structure with amalgam, metal, porcelain, or composite resin. Used as part of the treatment of cavities.
Fluoride: A chemical that is used to
strengthen
the tooth enamel.
Added to many public water supplies and toothpastes.
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General Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness or “deep sleep,” accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, as well as protective reflexes, and including a loss of ability to independently maintain a breathing airway and respond purposefully to verbal or physical stimulation. Must be administered by a licensed anesthesiologist.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums. Early stage of gum disease. Treated by a general dentist or periodontist.
Halimeter: An instrument used in the diagnosis
and
treatment of chronic halitosis.
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Halitosis: Bad breath. Many dentists offer treatment programs for halitosis that are more effective than over-the-counter remedies.
Heat Sterilization: A procedure that involves a chamber into which instruments are placed and which raises the temperature for a period of time to kill all microorganisms. OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards require all dentists to use heat sterilizationfor dental instruments.
H-Wave: A device for
electronic
anesthesia that sends electrical impulses blocking
pain signals
to the brain through electrodes placed near the teeth. Used as an alternative
to injected
anesthesia, and not effective for all patients and procedures.
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Hygienist: A dental professional qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care. Certification is required.
Imaging: (Also called Video Imaging.) A photograph of teeth stored in a computer and then displayed on a television monitor. The dentist is able to show you an image of your smile and modify that image to show how your smile would look with new, repaired, or whitened teeth.
Impacted Tooth: A
tooth that fails to erupt properly and
remains fully or partially embedded and covered over by bone or gum tissue.
This most
often occurs with wisdom teeth. If not removed,
impacted
teeth can cause pain, headaches, infection and malocclusion.
Most often treated by an oral surgeon.
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Implant: A fixed replacement for a missing tooth. The procedure involves the implanting of a metal shaft, usually titanium, implanted in the jawbone. A prosthetic (artificial) tooth is then affixed to this shaft, providing a strong permanent replacement for a lost tooth. Implants also prevent the gradual loss of bone material in the jaw that occurs over time with the use of dentures.
Incisors: The four upper or lower single cuspidfront teeth designed for incising (cutting) food.
Inlay: A custom-made cast
gold or
porcelain alloy that is cemented to a previously prepared cavity
in
the tooth. A stronger and longer-lasting alternative to amalgam
or composite filling.
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Intra-oral Camera: A tiny video camera used to view the inside of the mouth, with the images projected onto a monitor screen. The images allow dentists and their patients to see the inside of the mouth in magnified form.
I.V. Sedation:
Anesthesia administered intravenously, used for
people who want
to be asleep during dental procedures. It is sometimes described as a “light”
anesthesia.
Special licensing is required for a dentist to perform this type of sedation in
their office.
Other types of anesthesia include general anesthesia
and local anesthesia.
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Lasers: Dental lasers are
a
family of
instruments, some used for oral surgery, some to
cure (harden)
restorative tooth materials and enhance tooth bleaching,
and
others to remove tooth structure to eliminate disease. Lasers are also
sometimes used
to treat gingivitis (gum disease). New lasers are
constantly
being developed and refined, and can sometimes eliminate the need for drilling.
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Local Anesthesia: Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized area. Done topically or by injection. Other forms of pain management include H-wave, DentiPatch, I.V. sedation, general anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
Malocclusion:
Meaning
"bad bite."
Any condition that that does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth.
Generally treated by an Orthodontist.
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Molars: The back teeth that are designed for grinding food before swallowing.
Mouthguard: A removable appliance used to
protect
teeth from
injury during athletic activities. Most effective when created by a dentist who
takes
exact impressions of the user's teeth to make the guard.
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Needleless Anesthesia: Anesthesia that is administered without the use of injections, such as the H-wave and DentiPatch.
Nightguard: A
removable
acrylic
appliance used to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism)
or joint problems (TMD), usually worn at night. The
appliance is
created by a dental laboratory using exact impressions of the patient’s teeth
taken by a
dentist.
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Nitrous Oxide: Colorless, sweet-tasting gas with a pleasing smell when inhaled (also called “laughing gas”), used to help patients relax during treatment. While not technically a form of anesthesia,the distraction and relaxation of the patient usually helps to reduce the discomfort of the procedure.
Onlay: A gold or porcelain inlay
extended to cover the cusps for protection of the tooth,
leaving
more natural tooth than a crown.
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Oral Sedation: Any substance taken orally (i.e., a pill or liquid) to reduce anxiety and relax the patient. Used in conjunction with some form of anesthesiaduring dental procedures.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: A specialist who deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures. Often simply called an Oral Surgeon.
Oral Surgery:
Surgery
of the mouth
including removal of teeth, particularly wisdom teeth.
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Orthodontics: Dental specialty that treats misalignment and malocclusion of teeth. Treatment usually consists of braces or a retainer.A variety of procedures and braces are now available.
Orthodontist: A
dental
specialist
who corrects irregularities of the teeth primarily through the use of
braces or a retainer.
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Palate: The general term that refers to the roof of the mouth.
Panorex: A single full-mouth x-ray, created by an x-ray camera that moves around the entire face and provides a single sheet of film showing the entire mouth.
Partial Denture: A
removable appliance
(prosthesis) that replaces some of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw,
as opposed
to a full denture, which replaces all the upper or
lower teeth.
Affixed to a natural tooth (abutment). An alternative
to a
partial denture is a dental implant.
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Pediatric Dentistry: Dental specialty focusing on treatment of children’s teeth.
Pedodontist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of children’s teeth. The more common terminology is Pediatric Dentist.
Periodontal Disease: The general term for the inflammation or disease affecting the gums.
Periodontics: The treatment of diseases of the
gum or
bone (supporting structure).
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Periodontist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque: A sticky substance that forms on the surface of the teeth and harbors bacteria growth and acid formation beneath its surface, causing tooth decay. Plaque build-up can irritate the gums and cause periodontal disease. Treated by regular dental cleanings, or prophylaxis,performed by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Porcelain Veneers:
Plastic or porcelain facing which is bonded directly to a tooth to improve its
appearance, producing a very natural appearance.
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Prophy Jet: Air polishing for stain removal.
Prophylaxis: (Also called a “prophy” for short.) The professional cleaning and removal of plaque, stains, and calculus on the teeth, performed by a dentist or dental hygienist.Ideally performed at least every six months.
Prosthodontics: The replacement of missing or
lost teeth
with artificial teeth. Common procedures are crowns,
bridges, dentures, and
implants.
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Prosthodontist: A dentist who specializes in restoring teeth and replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants.
Pulp Chamber: The opening in the center of the crown of a tooth that contains the pulp (nerve tissue) and stretches to the tip of the root.
Quadrant: One fourth of the mouth or half of
the
bottom or
top section of the mouth.
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Retainer: An appliance for maintaining the positions of the teeth and jaws immediately after the completion of orthodontic treatment.
Root Canal: A procedure used to save an abscessed tooth in which the pulp chamber is cleaned out, disinfected, and filled with a permanent filling. Generally performed by an Endodontist.
Root Planing: Deep cleaning of the teeth to
remove hardened
plaque below the gum line. This periodontal procedure is
usually
performed one quadrant at a time, usually by a periodontist
or periodontal assistant.
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Root Resection: The removal of the root of a tooth while retaining the crown. Usually performed by an Endodontist.
Scaling: A treatment for gum disease involving
removal of
hardened plaque (tartar or
calculus) from teeth. Performed by a dental hygienist
during
a prophylaxis (dental cleaning), or in more extreme cases by a
periodontist.
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Sealant: Plastic coating applied to grooves of the teeth to prevent decay, generally performed on children who are more prone to dental caries, or cavities.
Sleep Apnea: A disorder, which is potentially
fatal, in
which a person who is asleep may stop breathing multiple times for more than 10
seconds.
A general dentist or an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
treats this disorder.
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Sterilization: The process of eliminating bacteria and viruses from tools, surfaces and equipment. OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has specific standards for sterilization in all dental offices. See autoclave and heat sterilization.
Tartar: Also called
calculus.
Calcified plaque that forms from mineral salts in the
saliva and
deposits on the teeth. Removed in the course of a prophylaxis,
or dental cleaning. Some toothpastes claim to reduce tartar accumulation, but
only regular
dental checkups can prevent this accumulation from causing gum disease and
tooth loss.
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TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders): Problems associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which connects the lower jaw with the skull. Typically associated with pops and pain in the joint.
Ultrasonic Cleaning: Tooth cleaning (prophylaxis)
that uses high frequency sound waves to gently remove deposits such as
tartar and stains from the teeth.
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Veneers: Plastic or porcelain facing which is bonded directly to a tooth to improve its appearance, producing a very natural appearance.
Whitening: A process
of
whitening
teeth that uses special compounds usually containing hydrogen peroxide.
Sometimes
lasers are used in conjunction with these compounds.
Over-the-counter
whitening products are not the prescription strength that dentists use and are
therefore
less effective.
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Wisdom Teeth: The third set of molars, the last teeth to come in. For many people, wisdom teeth become impacted and must be removed by oral surgery.
X-ray: Radiation used for
diagnostic
purposes to photograph the bone tissue of the tooth above and below the gum
line. See also
digital radiography and panorex.
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