• Tooth Anatomy
• Dental Glossary
• Tooth Eruption Patterns
• 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!