Definition of some dental terms:
|
| Amalgam |
|
A type of tooth filling made of silver and mercury. The
metallic mixture is initially soft so that it can be molded to fit the tooth
and gradually hardens. See alternatives: Gold,
composites and
porcelain. |
| Anesthesia |
|
Substances used to remove the effects of pain. General one
of 4 types: Topical Anesthesia,
Local Anesthesia,
General Anesthesia, and
Neuroleptic Anesthesia. |
| Autoclave |
|
Equipment used to clean dental instruments that uses super
heated high pressure steam. |
| Bicuspids |
|
The premolars |
| Bitewing X-rays |
|
Similar to periapical X-rays except that only the crowns
and part of the roots are seen for 2 or 3 adjacent teeth. So called
Bitewing because the X-ray film holder provides a surface to bite down on
and hold the X-ray securely in place. |
| Board Certified |
|
A Dentist that has been approved by the American Dental
Society to practice a particular specialty. Board certified dentists have
demonstrated at least two years of residency within a particular dental
specialty and have been certified to be competent in that specialty. Any
dentist may claim specific knowledge of any specialty, but a board certified
dentist has passed an exam demonstrating education and experience within a
certain field of dentistry. |
| Braces |
|
Bands, wires, ceramic or other appliances used to correct
teeth alignment. |
| Bridges |
|
Dental work that involves supporting a replacement tooth
between two healthy teeth. |
| Calculus |
|
Same as tartar. Occurs when plaque is left on the teeth
untreated. A hard substance that acts an irritant by wedging between the
tooth and gum. Left untreated calculus can eventually lead to periodontal
disease. |
| Canines |
|
The teeth located just to the left and right of the
lateral incisors, 4 in total. Also referred
to as cuspids. |
| Canker Sore |
|
An ulcer appearing in the mouth or lips usually caused by
viral infection. Also referred to as a cold sore. |
| Central Incisors |
|
The first four front teeth, two located on the top and two
on the bottom of the mouth. |
| Composite Fillings |
|
An alternative to Silver Amalgam
fillings. Composite fillings are made from a resin and particles that are
mixed together and then given time to "cure" and harden. The
advantages of composite fillings is that they are naturally white, can
easily be colored to match the surrounding teeth, and are relatively easy to
install. Composite fillings are however less biocompatible than silver or
gold and are generally not as strong as metal fillings. Composite fillings
are used more often on front teeth. |
| Crowns |
|
An artificial "top" made of porcelain, composite, or metal
that is cemented on top of damaged teeth. |
| Curettage |
|
A periodontal procedure which involves scraping off plaque
to the bottom of the damaged gum tissue and removing the damaged gum tissue. |
| Dentures |
|
A set of artificial teeth. |
| Endodontist |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize on teeth and
diseases of the tooth pulp |
| Endentulous |
|
Without any teeth. |
| Fluoride |
|
A chemical substance known to strengthen teeth enamel
making teeth less susceptible to decay. There are two ways fluoride makes
its way to teeth: ingestion through food or water; and topical application
made directly to the surface of the teeth by the dentist. |
| General Anesthesia |
|
A class of Anesthesia substance
or substances that are inhaled as gases. General anesthesia eliminates pain
by rendering patients completely unconscious. General anesthesia must be
administered by medical or dental anesthesiologist, and oral surgeons with
special training in a hospital or office operating room. General anesthesia
is general used with oral surgery or more complicated procedures where the
patient must be relaxed and pain free for an extended period of time.
Complete recovery from general anesthesia often takes at least several
hours. |
| Gingivitis |
|
Stage one of early periodontal disease characterized by
inflammation, swollen, reddish gum tissue which may bleed easily when
touched or brushed. Untreated, gingivitis can lead to chronic periodontal
disease and the stability of your teeth. |
| Gingivectomy |
|
A procedure performed by periodontists to remove gum
tissue. |
| Gingivoplasty |
|
A procedure performed by periodontists to reshaping the
gum. |
| Gold Fillings |
|
An alternative to Silver Amalgam
fillings. Gold is longer lasting however they are generally much more
complicated, expensive and require multiple visits. Gold is generally used
as totally cast fillings which are cemented into the mouth. |
| Halitosis |
|
The same as bad breath. Halitosis has several potential
causes including dentures, tooth decay or periodontal disease. |
| Impacted Tooth |
|
A tooth that is blocked by an adjacent tooth preventing it
from erupting the surface of the gum. An impacted tooth may push other
teeth together or damage the bony structures supporting the adjacent tooth.
Often times, impacted teeth must be surgically removed. |
| Lateral Incisors |
|
The teeth located just to the left and right of the
central incisors, 4 in total |
| Local Anesthesia |
|
A class of Anesthesia substance
applied by injection directly to the gums or mouth tissue to provide pain
relief to a local area of the mouth or gum. Lidocain and prilocaine, and
mepivacain are the most widely used. Dentists often apply local anesthesia
to reduce the pain associated with general dental procedures. The
advantages are that the patient remains alert during the procedure without
the pain. |
| Molars |
|
The class of teeth found in the back of the mouth after the
canines that are characterized as having multiple biting surfaces. |
| Neuroleptic
Anesthesia |
|
A class of Anesthesia substance
applied intravenously. The degree of anesthesia can be controlled from
slight consciousness to totally unconscious. Fentanyl and droperidol
combinations are most commonly used. Dentists often apply Neuroleptic
anesthesia to reduce the pain associated with any dental procedures. The
advantages are that the degree of unconsciousness and pain relief can be
controlled and generally the recovery time is much less than with general
anesthesia. |
| Occlusal X-rays |
|
Larger X-rays taken to show the whole bite of the lower and
upper jar. |
| Onlay |
|
A large filling when a substantial part of the tooth is
replaced. |
| Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeon |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize on surgery of the
teeth and bones of the jaw, jawbone or face. |
| Orthodontist |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize on correcting
abnormally aligned or positioned teeth. |
| Panoramic X-rays |
|
As the name suggests, a type of X-ray where the X-ray
machine makes a complete half circle from ear to ear to produce a complete
two dimensional representation of all teeth. |
| Periapical X-rays |
|
X-rays providing complete side views from the roots to the
crowns of the teeth. Typically a complete set consists of 14-24 films with
each tooth appearing in two different films from two different angles. |
| Pediatric Dentist |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize on children's
teeth. |
| Periodontist |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize on gums, gum
disease, tissues and structures supporting the teeth. |
| Perio Charting |
|
A numeric assignment indicating the depth of a periodontal
probe which is used to measure the depth between the teeth and the adjacent
gums. The larger the number, the larger the space and the more likely that
periodontal disease can or has occurred. |
| Plaque |
|
A sticky fairly transparent film that forms on the teeth or
cracks of the teeth primarily composed of undigested food particles mixed
with saliva and bacteria. Plaque left alone eventually turns in to tartar
or calculus. |
| Porcelain Fillings |
|
An alternative to Silver Amalgam
fillings. Porcelain fillings are made of the same material as china.
Porcelain fillings and tooth replacement is accomplished by hardening in a
mold and then baked at an extremely high temperature. The advantages of
porcelain are similar to composites in that they can be easily colored to
match surrounding teeth. Porcelain is much stronger and longer lasting than
composite teeth replacement. The disadvantages of porcelain is that the
substance is brittle and typically requires a highly skilled dental
professional and multiple dental visits. |
| Prosthetics |
|
Dental implants or artificial teeth. |
| Prosthodontist |
|
Board Certified Dentists who specialize in the replacement
of missing teeth by bridges and dentures. |
| Root Canal |
|
A four step process required when the inner pulp of the
tooth is irreversibly damaged. Step one involves removing all of the inner
pulp from the chamber of the tooth. Step two involves cleaning and smoothing
the inside of the tooth. Step three involves filling the tooth with an inert
material. Finally, an artificial crown is placed on top of the tooth. |
| Root Planning |
|
The procedure of scraping plaque off of teeth below the gum
line or on the root of the tooth. |
| Sealants |
|
A substance applied to the biting surface of teeth to
protect the teeth from decay. |
| Splints |
|
Used with an otherwise healthy tooth has become loose due
to advanced periodontal disease. The loose tooth is wired to surrounding
solid teeth and a composite is added on top to hold the wire in place. |
| Topical Anesthesia |
|
A class of Anesthesia substance
applied directly to the gums or mouth tissue to provide pain relief on the
immediate surface of the tissue. Lidocain and Benzocaine are the two most
widely used. Dentists often apply topical anesthesia to reduce the pain
associated with needle pricks required for the application of a local
anesthesia or to reduce pain and discomfort of mild infections or
irritations on the gum or in the mouth. |
| TMJ/TMD |
|
Temporalmandibular Joint (TMJ) /Temporomandibular disorder
(TMD). The temporalmandibular joint is a complicated joint formed where
the lower jaw bone attaches to the head. TMD refers to general class of
disorder affecting the bones and muscles of this region. Symptoms range
from tenderness and swelling to headaches and neck and back aches.
Generally, a clicking or popping sound when the jaw is opened or closed is
evidence or some form of one of the disorders. |
| Trench Mouth |
|
Same as Vincent's Infection and Necrotizing Ulcerative
Gingivitis (NUG). An acute and painful infection of the gums not
contagious with a odor and painful bleeding of the mouth and gums. |
| X-Rays |
|
High frequency light (or radiation) which penetrate
different substances with different rates and absorbtion. By using film on
the opposite side of the substance, different level of exposure are recorded
corresponding to each of the different substances to form a picture. In
dentistry, there are typically 4 types of X-rays: Periapical, Bite-wing,
Occlusal, Panoramic. |
