Definitions of Dental Terms
Amalgam fillings (silver-mercury) - Are a mixture of different metals such as silver, copper, zinc and tin bound with mercury. The process of mixing these alloys together with mercury forms a paste used to fill the teeth. The mercury makes up between 45-50% of the mixture and acts to binds these metals. Now considered obsolete and possibly toxic in my opinion and has been excluded from my practice for many years.
Anesthetics – Either applied or injected medication for pain are often called “novocaine”. Many more effective medications are now used and when the types is carefully matched to the procedure excellent results for pain control are obtained for comfortable treatment.
Bleaching (tooth whitening) - The process of brightening or whitening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with an in-office power bleaching method, or at-home professional whitening systems.
Bonding (resin bonding) - Process by which enamel colored resin is bonded to a tooth’s surface, shaped, hardened, and polished. The color and polish is matched to the tooth. This is the technique used for both front and back fillings.
Bridge - A dental bridge is a device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with a bridge, the teeth on either side of the missing one must be preparedas for a crown and will serve as anchors to hold the replacement teeth in place.
Composite resin - Tooth-colored filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles in a great variety of types designed for the use it will be put to.
Cosmetic contouring - Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance by slightly changing the shape.
Cosmetic dentistry - Field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person’s smile, shape of the face and overall appearance. Many positive improvements in self esteem often accompany cosmetic procedures.
Crown - A crown, often called a cap, is a tooth covering placed over a carefully prepared existing tooth. Most crowns are made of porcelain, often with a base of supporting gold, is a hard stain resistant material that gives the appearance and function of your own natural teeth. A crown is used to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth. It is placed on an individual tooth much like a thimble goes over your finger. Crowns will strengthen and restore teeth when there is not adequate tooth structure left to hold a filling.
Dentin - Layer of tooth structure under the enamel. It is approximately half as mineralized and hard as enamel. Exposed dentin is often the cause of tooth sensitivity as it contains nerve like fibers.
Denture – A replacement for teeth when all teeth are missing. Often considered a last resort. George Washington wore a denture of ivory and wood.
Diastema - Space between two teeth, usually the front center two teeth, but is used for spaces between teeth in general.
Enamel - Very hard, highly mineralized white outer layer of the tooth that covers the dentin. Dental decay begins in the hard enamel and then peritrates into the soft dentin very rapidly.
Endodontics - The science of root canal treatment. Difficult cases are often done by specialists in this field. This field has changed and advanced extremely rapidly in the last ten years and is now done rapidly and with little discomfort. It is now a totally new process that patients find very easy.
Fissure sealants - A thin resin protective film on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. It is placed in the grooves that are decay prone. Children receive the greatest benefit from sealants as the chewing surfaces of a child’s teeth are most susceptible to cavities.
Fluoride treatment - Fluoride treatments help to strengthen the teeth externally. Supplements are more helpful for the internal development of the teeth. Teeth do get benefit from fluoride-containing toothpastes. Fluoride rinses are used when your Dentist sees adults and children that may be especially prone to developing cavities. The prescription rinses are very helpful in adults who are prone to cavities on the root surfaces.
Gingiva – An alternate more technical word for gums. This is the term used by dentists amongst themselves.
Gum (periodontal) disease - Also known as gingivitis or periodontitis -A serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss by bone loss.
Gum Reshaping - Excessive or uneven gums can be corrected with a simple cosmetic surgical procedure called gingivoplasty which results in a more even, pleasing smile.
Hygienist - Licensed oral health professionals, dental hygienists focus on preventing and treating soft tissue diseases in order to protect teeth and gums from damage.
Impaction – Any tooth that has failed to erupt into its normal position. Impaction can be caused by bone, other teeth or lack of space for it.
Implant - A dental implant is simply a titanium tooth root. This provides the support a crown needs to withstand the pressures of chewing. Implants reverse the negative impact of missing teeth, restores and maintains the natural bite, prevents stress on the other teeth, keeps opposing teeth in their proper place, prevents tilting and shifting of adjacent teeth.
Impressions – The process of making a mold of a single tooth to the whole mouth so that a reproduction of it can be made for study or construction of an appliance.
Incisor – The central or adjacent front teeth with cutting edges. They affect your smile, speech and chewing function.
Inlay - Porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.
"Instant" orthodontics - The art of using ceramic veneers to ‘instantly’ align crooked teeth with veneers or crowns
Laminates(veneers) - Thin, custom-made moldings that cover the fronts of unattractive teeth. They are crafted from lifelike, high-tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile. Always custom made, veneers can provide the answer to shape, position and color problems.
Malocclusion - A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.
Midline - An imaginary vertical line that divides the face into two right and left parts. It reveals where new teeth should be placed to blend in.
NTI-tss (tension suppression system) – A small oral appliance man to fit over the front teeth that prevents tension-type headache, and jaw disorders (“TMJ”), without drugs or surgery, through the reduction of muscular activity.
Onlay - Porcelain, resin, or gold restoration of a tooth that protects and strengthens the tooth by covering the full chewing surface.
Oral Hygiene - Proper oral hygiene, including flossing and brushing is just as important as ever to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy, along with regular dental hygiene appointments as often as needed. This canbe up to four times a year.
Orthodontics - Correcting a variety of cosmetic and functional problems this branch of dentistry deals with straightening teeth. Through the use of specially designed and fitted wires or appliances, constant and gentle pressure is put on the teeth causing them to move to new positions.
Partial Denture - Removable dental appliance that replaces some but not all of the natural teeth.
Porcelain(dental) - Ceramic, tooth-colored material that fuses at high temperatures and vacuum to form a hard, enamel-like substance that can be shaped and colored to match any tooth color.
Root canal treatment (Endodontics) - Inside your tooth, running like a thread through the root, is a nerve and blood supply. When this is diseased or injured, the tissue dies. If you do not remove this tissue, your tooth gets infected and this causes pain and can lead to a dental abscess. After the dentist removes the tissue, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it.
Sedation - A small pill is taken before seeing the dentist. This little pill works rapidly to create a relaxed state and although you are ina sleep-like state, you are responsive. It is essential that someone escorts you home.
TMJ - If teeth don’t fit and slide together in harmony, one or more of the head and neck muscle groups may begin to suffer from fatigue. This may be felt as headaches, shoulder pain. Stress levels are known to make matters worse.
Veneers(porcelain or composite) - Are thin, custom-made moldings that cover the fronts of unattractive teeth. They are crafted from lifelike, high-tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile.
Whitening - People with stained or dull teeth will benefit from whitening - a safe, effective means to whiten stained, discolored or dull teeth (or even a single tooth). In-office and supervised at-home whitening systems are available. At-home systems should be individually fitted and monitored by your cosmetic dentist.
Wisdom tooth - Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars are the last teeth in the mouth and the last teeth to erupt. This occurs usually between the ages of 17 and 25. When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, food and bacteria collect under the gum causing a local infection. This may result in bad breath, pain, and swelling. This is particularly true of the lower wisdom teeth.