Abrasion

Dental Abrasion is the wearing away of tooth structure by contact with opposing surfaces. It can happen when you brush your teeth too hard or if you eat something that you shouldn’t.

 

Abutement

A dental crown is made with a false tooth attached to the top of it. A dental abutment is like an anchor that keeps the crown in place. They are usually made of metal and attach to the back of your natural teeth.

 

Anesthesia

General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is when a person becomes unconscious and stops feeling pain. This is done with an injection of drugs that can be given intravenously, through a gas mask with oxygen, or through the nose and mouth. The type of drug used depends on the person’s weight, age, and any allergies they have. General anesthesia changes the brain activity in a way that makes it impossible to feel pain while under this medication.

Intravenous Sedation/Analgesia: Intravenous sedation is done by giving you medication to make you sleepy and not feel pain while getting dental work done. They put the medicine in a vein in your arm or hand and it goes through your body to where it’s needed most. Sometimes other types of anesthesia  are given at the same time so you don’t feel any pain while they work on your teeth.

Local Anesthesia:  Local anesthesia (also known as Regional Anesthesia) is a type of medication that is injected into the gums and numbs the tooth so the dentist can do their work without you feeling any pain, while maintaining consciousness. This medication can be given as an injection or as a gel.

Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation: Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation is a form of treatment that can be used before, during, or after surgeries. It provides patients with a feeling of relaxation and peace without the risks of general anesthesia. Doctors may recommend it to patients who are not eligible for general anesthesia, have certain chronic medical conditions, have seen their reserves of red blood cells lowered by chemotherapy treatments, or have had previous bad experiences with sedation.

Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is a type of surgical intervention in which a surgeon removes the apex or tip of a tooth. Usually this is due to the presence of a dental calculus or a periodontal pocket that is causing pain, infection, and tooth sensitivity.

 

Basic/Routine Cleaning

This procedure is typically performed by the dental hygienist on a regular basis. It involves the use of an ultrasonic scaler and/or hand instruments to remove calculus build-up, plaque, bacteria, and stains from tooth surfaces. A dental cleaning may be done annually or more often if recommended by the dentist.

 

Bicuspid

A bicuspid is a tooth that has two roots. The bicuspid is typically found in the premolar region of the mouth. In children, there are usually four bicuspids per quadrant whereas in adults, there are usually three bicuspids per quadrant.

 

Bilateral

A bilateral tooth is a term used to describe the lower anterior teeth, which include the bottom right canine, left central incisors, and right lateral incisors. There are three choices of dental implant treatment available for this area: bilateral single-tooth implants, two-implants-per-side type of treatment, or bilateral frameworks.

 

Bonding

Bonding is a very common treatment for teeth that are chipped, discolored or broken. Bonding is done to replace the natural tooth structure with a crown that has been matched to the color of your natural tooth. This improves the appearance of your smile and can help protect against tooth decay.

 

Calculus

Calculus, also known as tartar or plaque, is a type of mineral deposit that builds up on the teeth. This buildup can cause cavities and gum disease. Plaque is made up of things like bits of food and bacteria, so it’s important to brush your teeth and floss every day to prevent tartar from building up.

 

Cavity

Cavities are holes in the tooth caused by bacterial decay.

A dental cavity occurs when bacteria from plaque and saliva cause a hole in the tooth. Once bacteria has started to grow, it will continue to break down the minerals of the tooth, creating an acidic environment that breaks down tooth enamel and reduces the hardness of teeth. The patient may experience sensitivity, pain, swelling, and even bad breath from the accumulation of bacteria that leads up to a dental cavity.

 

Crown

Crown – A dental crown is a fitted cover that sits over the top of a tooth. It is made from porcelain, gold, or another material and can be used to cover a tooth with a large filling or to make a tooth appear straight.

 

Cusp

Tooth cusps are the points on the top of the tooth. They are important because they help to break down food. The teeth need to have cusps for people to be able to eat their favorite foods, like apples.

 

Decay

Tooth decay is when the enamel on your teeth wears out and can lead to cavities.

 

Dental Prophylaxis

Dental Prophylaxis is the act of cleaning teeth before or after any kind of dental work or surgery that might leave them dirty. You might also brush your teeth to prevent decay, which is caused by bacteria living in the mouth. Some of these bacteria can cause cavities and bad breath.

 

Dental Prosthesis

A dental prosthesis is a device used to replace teeth. It can be made of metal or plastic and can be attached to the gum or bone with an adhesive, and it will blend in with the other teeth. Prosthetics can also be removable, such as dentures.

 

Denture

A denture is a removable dental prosthesis that substitutes the structures of the upper or lower jaw. Dentures are either partial, meaning they replace only some of the teeth, or complete, which means they fill all the spaces in the mouth. Patients with a partial denture often have a “bridge” or a “partial plate” to hold the complete denture in place.

 

Direct Restoration

A type of tooth-colored filling that is shaped to fill the space that was once occupied by the tooth. This filling can be made of composite material or porcelain.

 

Enamel

Enamel is the thin, shiny, translucent layer that covers the crown of a tooth. The enamel is typically composed of minerals like calcium and phosphate, in addition to components like water and proteins. It protects the sensitive dentin underneath from being damaged by foods or drinks.

 

Endodontist

Endodontists focus on caring for complex tooth problems that primarily affect the inside of teeth which is commonly referred to as “dental-pulp”.

 

Erosion

Tooth erosion is when the acid in your mouth erodes the enamel on your teeth. This can be caused by such things as acidic foods, acid reflux, and overactive stomach. When the enamel is eroded, you will need to get a filling or crown or tooth extraction.

 

Excision

Surgical removal of bone or tissue.

 

Extraction

Extraction: A dental extraction is a process where a dentist will remove one or more teeth from someone’s mouth.

Simple Extraction: Extraction of teeth not requiring the breaking, cutting, or other sophisticated methods.

 

Filling

A filling is a restoration that fills in spaces where teeth have been lost. The most common type of filling is amalgam, which is made from mercury, silver, copper and tin. Amalgam fillings are not as attractive as newer materials such as porcelain or composite resin fillings, but they are durable.

 

Fixed Appliances

Fixed dental appliances is the term for any orthodontic appliance that is used to help fix or improve your teeth. The appliances are not removable and are securely attached to the teeth. The most common type of Fixed Appliance are Braces

 

Full-Mouth X-Rays

The examination of the mouth is a typical component in a typical radiographic examination. A full-mouth x-ray would be taken to provide a complete panoramic view of the teeth, as well as the structures surrounding them from occlusal to incisors, from palate to soft tissues. The full-mouth x-rays are often used by dentists for establishing diagnosis and treatment plans for patients.

 

Gingiva

Gingiva, also known as gums, are the pink tissue at the base of the teeth. This tissue is crucial because it helps seal the teeth together and preserves bone structure.

 

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a disease that occurs when plaque builds up along the gum line. This bacteria can also lead to an increased risk for periodontitis, where the gums and bone may be eroded by inflammation from the bacteria. Gingivitis typically starts as a mild form, with inflamed gums and bleeding upon brushing or flossing. As time goes on, it can progress into a more serious form that will cause pain while eating or brushing teeth.

 

Graft

A dental graft is used to fill in an area where the gum tissue has receded. A section of bone or soft tissue is transplanted to fill in the space between the teeth, giving structure to the gum tissue and stopping it from receding any further.
This procedure may only be needed if other treatments do not work, as it requires a significant amount of time for recovery.

 

Immediate Denture

In the event that a tooth becomes lost or is extracted, dentures can be made to replace it directly after extraction. This process is called ‘immediate denture’. An immediate denture is a temporary, removable tooth replacement made from plastic materials and acrylic resins based on impressions taken from the patient’s mouth. Once completed, this procedure may take anywhere from 1-2 hours.

 

Impacted Tooth

An impacted tooth is one that is unable to erupt through the gumline. This is often due to missing teeth below it or a large cyst on top of it. An impacted tooth may also be unable to erupt because its roots are too short or come together in an unusual way. Impacted teeth can cause sever pressure on the temporomandibular joints, leading to pain and headaches.

 

Dental Implant

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw. Dental implantation is one treatment for individuals who have lost teeth due to tooth decay or periodontal disease. The posts are coated with a special porcelain material which fills in the empty space where teeth used to be.

The thought of dental implant surgery can be daunting, but this type of procedure can provide patients with better oral health and improved quality of life.

 

Jaw

The jaw is the only movable bone articulated with the skull. It is composed of two parts, the mandible or lower jaw and the maxilla or upper jaw.

 

Lingual

The term Lingual is a medical term that refers to the tongue.

 

Maxilla

The Upper Jaw

 

Occlusal

Occlusal teeth are the back teeth in the mouth that come together when chewing to grind down food. They include all of the molars and premolars.

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

A dental professional who performs surgical and non-surgical treatments of the head, neck, and jaw. They focus on preventing and treating diseases and injuries to the teeth and gums.

 

Orthodontist

Orthodontia is an oral health care specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion, also known as bad bites. Orthodontists provide a multidisciplinary approach to orthodontics, involving dentistry for both installation and removal of braces, and have a strong focus on the long-term success of their patients.

Orthodontists are experts in tooth alignment and jaw growth.

 

Overdenture

An overdenture is typically a removable bridge that replaces teeth whose roots are either missing or too weak to support the bridge. It is placed on the same plane as the other teeth in order to avoid any excessive chewing pressure on neighboring teeth.

 

Palate

The palate is a large pad on the roof of the mouth.

 

Partial Denture

A partial denture is a dental prosthesis that replaces some natural teeth, typically in the upper jaw. A partial denture can also be used to replace all of the natural teeth in the lower jaw. Dental professionals usually refer to a partial denture as a “partial.” The patient must have at least one tooth remaining on either side of where the prosthesis will be installed.

 

Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess is a type of inflammatory lesion that occurs in the tissue around teeth. It is caused by bacterial infection due to gum disease. The inflammation causes an accumulation of pus and blood in this area, which then causes pain and swelling. Treatment may include antibiotics if the abscess is small, or surgical procedures such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction if the abscess is large.

 

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a group of diseases affecting the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and is linked with cardiovascular and other serious health problems.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. This inflammation is often referred to as “pockets” (periodontal pockets) and can be measured in millimeters. Dental plaque buildup in the pockets is responsible for the inflammation that causes destruction to gums, which can then lead to tooth loss.

 

Plaque

Plaque is a type of film that accumulates on the surface of teeth. It is composed of bacteria, food, and saliva. Plaque is caused by the sticky bacterial layer which traps particles of food and minerals from saliva. Over time, these mineral deposits form hard crystals which make plaque harder to remove.

 

Prophylaxis

Dental prophylaxis is the process of cleaning and polishing teeth to remove dental plaque and calculus that can lead to cavities.

 

Removable Partial Denture

The removable partial denture is a method of replacing teeth that have been lost. There are three types of removable partial dentures: fixed partial dentures, semi-flexible partial dentures, and flexible partial dentures. The fixed partial denture has a plastic base on which the teeth are attached to. It can be used as part of a complete set of teeth or as an alternative to some missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw where there is enough bone to support it.

 

Root

The root of a tooth is the part of an incisor or molar that forms the apex of the root canal. It extends into the jawbone and provides anchorage to grow in living bone.

 

Root Canal

A root canal is a procedure that includes the removal of the tooth’s pulp and bacteria from inside the tooth, as well as filling it with a material to prevent further infection. A dentin liner will be placed inside the canal, which will act as a barrier between the outside environment and exposed nerve tissue within the tooth. The exposed nerve tissue will then be flushed with an antibiotic solution, preventing additional bacteria from entering.

 

Scaling

Scaling is the process of removing plaque, tartar, calculus, and any other biofilm from the surface of the teeth. This can be done manually or with powered tools. The removal of this material allows for easier cleaning by brushing and flossing.

 

Temporomandibularjoint (TMJ)

The temporomandibular joint is the joint in your head where your lower jaw connects to your skull. The TMJ is impacted from a variety of factors such as how you chew, grind, eat certain foods, and even from what you slept on last night.

 

Unerupted

An unerupted tooth is one that is present in the mouth, but has not fully grown into the mouth yet. A tooth will continue to grow into the mouth until it reaches its final position. A common cause for unerupted teeth is a lack of space in the mouth for the tooth to grow into. This can be caused by blocked sinuses or impacted wisdom teeth, which also happen to be two common reasons for unerpted teeth.

 

Veneer

Dental veneers are artificial tooth-colored coatings designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They can be made out of porcelain, composite resin, or polyvinyl siloxane. Porcelain veneers are very strong and durable, but they are quite expensive. Composite resin is less expensive but still fairly strong.