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Tooth Anatomy Tooth Eruption Patterns
Dental Glossary Interpreting Tooth Pain

Dental Glossary

  • abscess
    infection caused by severe decay, trauma, or gum disease. You may
    have pain and swelling. see Emergencies
  • amalgam
    Typical silver colored filling made of mix of silver, tin, mercury, and
    some other trace elements like copper. Advantages- placement
    easier than other materials, cost. Disadvantage- color, breaks down
    10-20 years. For more information on Fillings see Services.
  • bonding
    Adhering tooth-colored resin materials to tooth surface to create a
    bond. Also, it is the process of covering of a tooth surface by
    enamel-like resin to correct stained or damaged teeth, by adhering a
    layer of plastic on the tooth.
  • bleaching (tooth whitening)
    Process of brightening or whitening stained, discolored, or dull
    teeth with an in-office power bleaching method, or dentist
    -supervised, at-home whitening systems. For more information on
    Whitening or Bleaching see Services.
  • bridge
    One or more artificial teeth attached, usually on both sides, by
    crowns to adjacent teeth. It is used to maintain space and function
    for missing teeth. Bridges may be made of gold or porcelain on gold.
    For more information on Bridges see Services.
  • bruxism
    Tooth grinding, often caused by stress. Most often done
    unconsciously at night.
  • composite
    Tooth-colored resin filling materials made of resin reinforced with
    silica or porcelain particles. Main advantages- tooth colored, are
    bonded to strengthen rather than weaken tooth. Disadvantages-
    They are very technique sensitive so should not be placed by
    dentists unfamiliar with their use. For more information on Fillings
    see Services.
  • cosmetic recontouring
    Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more
    youthful in appearance.
  • cosmetic dentistry
    The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a
    person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.
  • crown
    A crown, also known as a cap, is a cover for a decayed or damaged
    tooth made of porcelain and/or metal. For more information on
    Crowns see Services.
  • diastema
    The space between two teeth.
  • extraction
    The removal of teeth - may be simple or surgical. Oral surgery is the
    field of dentistry relating to extractions. For more information on
    Extractions see Services.
  • fistula
    A bump or boil on the gum tissue, which is a tract, in which an
    abscessed tooth can drain.
  • fluoride
    Fluoride is the ion form of the element fluorine and exists abundantly
    in living tissue like tooth enamel. Once teeth are developed, fluoride
    makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay. For more
    information on Fluoride see Services.
  • gingiva
    Gum tissue
  • gingivitis
    Inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque and or tarter build-
    up. Precurser to periodontitis if not treated. For more information
    on periodontal disease (Gum Disease) see Services.
  • impacted tooth
    This is a tooth that is submerged under the gum tissue, usually
    associated with a wisdom tooth. It may be malpositioned and may
    never erupt, but may still require removal. For more information on
    Wisdom Teeth removal see Services.
  • implant
    A a titanium, screw-like appliance positioned in the bone to replace
    a lost tooth or teeth. A crown, bridge, or bar and denture can be
    fixed to the implant(s). For more information on Implants see
    Services.
  • inlay
    A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made tooth restoration
    cemented or bonded into the tooth. Inlays restore the area of the
    tooth between cusps and are fabricated in a dental lab from an
    impression of the prepared tooth. For more information on Inlays
    see Services.
  • night guard
    A plastic mouthpiece to prevent damage from grinding teeth at
    night.
  • onlay
    A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made tooth restoration
    cemented or bonded to the tooth. Onlays are much like inlays, but
    include one, two, three or even four cusps. Like inlays and crowns,
    onlays are fabricated in a dental lab from an impression of the
    prepared tooth. For more information on Onlays see Services.
  • periodontitis (Gum Disease)
    Advanced gum disease; inflamation of gum tissue which causes
    bone loss resulting in tooth loss if untreated. For more information
    on periodontal disease (Gum Disease) see Services.
  • porcelain laminate veneer
    A thin porcelain shell bonded to the tooth to correct imperfections in
    shape and color. For more information on Veneers see Services.
  • prophy
    Simple cleaning of teeth above the gum line with rubber wheel and
    dental toothpaste.
  • root canal therapy
    Cleaning out the inside nerve of the tooth to preserve the tooth. For
    more information on Root Canal Therapy see Services.
  • root planing
    The removal of hard deposits (called tartar or calculus), with metal
    scalers, on the root surface and smoothing the root surface to allow
    for reattachment of the gums to the tooth and ultimately pocket
    reduction. For more information on Gum Disease and Root Planing
    see Services.
  • rubber dam
    A thin rubber sheet applied to teeth for safy and to control moisture
    during dental procedures.
  • sealants
    A plastic coating applied to grooves of teeth to prevent decay. For
    more information on Sealants see Services.
  • veneers (porcelain or composite)
    Ultra-thin, specially made laminates bonded to teeth. (Veneers are
    especially useful for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth.)
    For more information on Veneers see Services.
  • whitening (bleaching)
    The process of brightening or whitening stained, discolored, or dull
    teeth with in-office power bleaching method or dentist-supervised,
    at-home whitening systems.

Definitions of Specialties

  • Denturist
    This is a professional that strictly deals with making and fitting
    dentures. Most Denturists are not dentists, but have special training.
    Unless a Denturist is also a Dentist they cannot perform any surgical
    procedures. A Dentist or Oral Surgeon must perform the
    procedures for surgically removing the teeth and/or preparing to
    bone and gums for a denture.
  • Endodontist
    This is a dentist that strictly deals with the nerve of the tooth. They
    may perform simple to difficult root canal treatments as well as
    surgical root procedures. They may perform an apicoectomy
    (surgically removing the tip of the root) or a root amputation
    (removing a root on a multi-rooted tooth). They have usually 2 or
    more years of continuing education after graduating dental school,
    and limit their practice to only endodontics.
  • Oral Surgeon
    This is a dentist that performs many aspects of surgery in and about
    the head area. They can perform simple to extremely difficult
    (Completely-Bony Impacted Third Molars (Wisdom teeth))
    extractions. They also perform biopsies and removal of tumors in the
    head and neck region. Most place implants in the jaw for future
    restorations and do complex jaw realignment surgeries. They have
    usually 4 or more years of continuing education after graduating
    dental school, and limit their practice to only oral surgery.
  • Orthodontist
    This is a dentist that straightens teeth. They analyze a mouth and
    surrounding bone structures and determine where the teeth should
    be. If there is enough room they will manipulate the teeth and bone
    through the use of bands, wires, elastics, headgears and other
    appliances to achieve a harmonious balance between facial muscles
    and teeth. If there is not enough room teeth may have to be
    extracted to achieve the desired results. A Dentist or Oral Surgeon
    will perform the procedures for surgically removing the teeth.
    Orthodontists treat children as well as adults. They have usually 2 or
    more years of continuing education after graduating dental school,
    and limit their practice to only orthodontics.
  • Pedodontist
    This is a pediatric dentist. They focus their dentistry to treating the
    younger patients. They will usually treat children from as little as 1
    or 2 to early adulthood. They have usually 2 or more years of
    continuing education after graduating dental school, and limit their
    practice to only pedodontics.
  • Periodontist
    This is a dentist that deals with the supporting structures of the
    teeth. They diagnosis and treat gingivitis (Inflammation of the gum
    tissue) as well as periodontitis (Gum Disease). They may perform
    simple cleanings to complicated bone surgeries. They perform bone
    grafting where indicated and do soft tissue grafts to treat gum
    recession. Most also place implants in the jaw for future restoration.
    They have usually 3 or more years of continuing education after
    graduating dental school, and limit their practice to only
    periodontics.
  • Prosthodontist
    This is a dentist that deals with simple to complicated full mouth
    restorations. They may be crowns, fixed bridges, dentures, implant
    cases, or mixed implant and fixed bridge cases. They sometimes
    encompass the majority of the patients remaining teeth. They also
    perform needed restorative procedures, such as obturators, after
    removal of cancerous portions of the mouth. They have usually 3 or
    more years of continuing education after graduating dental school,
    and limit their practice to only prosthodontics.

These are the only official specialties in the field of dentistry. Cosmetic, aesthetic, geriatric or implantology are not recognized specialties, yet!

 

 

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