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Listed below is a comprehensive list of dental and dental
related terminologies:
A
-
Abrasion.
A loss of tooth
structure caused by tooth grinding, an improper bite, a hard toothbrush or
poor brushing technique. This could also be from grinding or chewing hard
objects or food.
-
Abscess.
An infection of either
the tooth, gums or bone. Commonly appears either clinically as a "gum boil"
on the tissue, or it shows up on the x-ray, most often at the tip of the
root or between the roots.
-
Abutment.
These are the teeth on
either side of a bridge. They support the bridge. A bridge is placed when a
tooth is missing.
-
Age to bring in a
child. Most
children are brought in to see a dentist between age 3 and age 4. Younger
than that, and they generally will not be able to sit for the visit. If you
can bring the child in with you (if you are a parent) you can let them see
you having your teeth cleaned and perhaps the dentist can count their teeth
and let them have a pleasant first visit (instead of waiting until they have
a toothache).
-
Air abrasion.
A relatively new technique to the dental field in which a small high
pressure spray of aluminum oxide is used to remove decay or drill out pieces
of old fillings and even tooth structure. It cuts down the need for a drill
in many cases and often can eliminate the need for anesthetic since there is
less trauma to the tooth while it is being used. Advantages include: less
vibration, less noise, less heat build-up. It acts like a mini sand blaster
and works excellently in preparing teeth for sealants or conservative dental
care. Sometimes it is referred to as Micro-Dentistry.
-
Allergy.
An unwanted bodily
response to a substance or organism
-
Alveolar bone.
The bone surrounding the roots of teeth
-
Amalgam.
Silver fillings have been used for dental filling material for about 100
years. They are the metal type of fillings (containing mercury - about 50%,
tin, silver and other metals such as tin or zinc mixed together) and
generally hold up for years and are an easily placed filling material. Now
that newer, more aesthetic and conservative composite (white) fillings are
coming out with stronger materials and quartz fillers for better wear, more
people are getting those placed instead. Amalgams tend to have a higher rate
of causing tooth stresses and fractures. See
Cosmetic Section for more details
-
Analgesia.
Partial loss of pain
sensation
-
Anesthesia.
This is the method
of "numbing" an area of the mouth, or putting an area "to sleep" or in the
case of general anesthesia, putting the patient to sleep, for a brief time
while the procedure is being done, to block the transmission of pain through
the nerves.
-
Anterior teeth. The
six upper and six lower front teeth
-
Antibiotic.
A drug that stops
or slows the growth of germs (bacteria)
-
Apex. The
tip of the root of a tooth
-
Apicoectomy:
removal of the
root end of a tooth to treat an infection
-
Arch.
Shape assumed
collectively by upper and lower teeth
-
Attrition.
This is the loss of
tooth structure over time. This is generally caused by wear, long term
usage, heavy usage of the teeth
B
-
Baby teeth.
The first teeth,
also called deciduous teeth; usually there are twenty baby teeth. See the
Pedodontic Section for more information
-
Base.
This is the material
(typically a type of cement) that is placed under a filling, when a filling
is getting close to the nerve to act as an insulator and sedative on the
pulp of the tooth (where the nerve is.)
-
Bicuspids.
These are the teeth just behind the pointed canines. They are the fourth and
fifth tooth on either side from the midline. They typically have two cusps.
They are used for chewing
-
Bleaching.
Teeth can often be whitened by the several new techniques of "bleaching"
available today. The most common methods used are the "in-office" method
where a strong bleaching agent is placed over the isolated teeth and a
special light is used to assist the bleaching material lighten the teeth.
The "at-home" technique involves making trays which fit into the mouth and
these are then filled with bleaching materials. When worn for a few hours a
day, noticeable results can be seen generally within a few days to a couple
weeks. Results vary from individual to individual and it is probably best to
check with your dentist to help decide which method works best for you. Some
of the factors involved include the intensity of the stains, whether or not
you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth as well as what may have
caused the stains. See
Cosmetic Section for more details
-
Block injection.
Anesthetizing a nerve that serves a large area of the jaw, usually the lower
jaw; may numb teeth, tongue and half of the jaw in that area
-
Bonding.
Applying a tooth-colored resin to repair and/or change the color or shape of
a tooth, most often a front tooth
-
Bone loss.
Decrease in bone supporting the roots of teeth; a common result of gum
disease
-
Bone resorption.
The gradual loss of bone Orthodontists use this process to "pull" teeth
through bone to new positions.
- Braces.
Braces are put on teeth to help correct rotated teeth, too large of spaces,
crowding or misalignment of teeth. See
Invisalign section for more details
-
Bridge.
A permanently cemented appliance that replaces missing teeth. The side teeth
are called abutments and the missing replacement tooth is called a pontic.
See
Cosmetic Section more information.
-
Bruxism.
This is the grinding and clenching of the teeth generally during sleep. This
is often associated with flattening of the teeth surfaces.
C
-
Calculus.
When the plaque hardens on your teeth, it gets calcified and is referred to
as calculus. See
Preventive Section for more information
-
Canines
- The cuspids, the long pointy teeth that are the third tooth from the
midline on each arch.
-
Caries.
This is the dental term for a cavity (decay) on a tooth. See
Restorative Section for more information.
-
Cavitron.
Dental tool that uses
high frequency sound waves to clean teeth
-
Cellulitis.
Uncontrolled infection causing extensive swelling Since this is a dangerous
condition, a dentist or physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
-
Cementum.
Hard tissue that covers the roots of teeth
-
Chart.
To measure the depth of the gum pockets around teeth
-
Clasp.
Device that retains a removable partial denture
-
Cleaning.
Removal of plaque and calculus from teeth, generally above the gumline. See
Preventive Section for more information
-
Composites.
Composite or white fillings are used when esthetics is a concern. This is a
common bonding mix of plastic and glass/ceramic particles; usually cured
with light or chemicals. See
Restorative Section for more information.
-
Crowns.
Crowns are placed over a tooth when a large portion of the tooth is lost to
decay or has broken off. Usually when a filling is more than half of the
size of the tooth, the tooth is weakened. If the filling would comprise a
significant portion of the tooth, often the tooth can fracture under the
stresses of chewing and therefore, placing a crown over the tooth protects
the chewing surface and prevents that from happening. Crowns that are white
are made of porcelain and are usually placed in areas of esthetic concern.
See
Restorative Section for more information.
-
Curettage.
This is the scraping of the soft tissue areas to remove the bacteria deep
under the gums.
-
Cuspids.
These are the canines, or fangs. They are the third tooth from the midline.
-
Cyst.
A fluid-filled sac
D
-
Decay.
Destruction of tooth
structure caused by acid produced by bacteria
-
Deciduous Teeth.
These are the children's first set of teeth. Also called the primary teeth.
They are replaced later in life with permanent teeth.
-
Dentin.
hard, living inner layer of a tooth (the layer immediately under the outer
enamel layer)
-
Dental implant.
A (usually) titanium cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or
lower jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth
-
Dentition.
Your teeth and how they are arranged in your mouth
-
Denture.
A removable set of artificial teeth
-
Diastema.
The space between front teeth
E
-
Enamel.
Hard tissue covering the crown (portion above the gumline) of a tooth
-
Endodontist.
A specialist who treats injuries, diseases and infections of the tooth pulp.
A common procedure is called Root Canal Treatment or RCT
-
Eruption.
The process whereby teeth grow through the gums
-
Explorer.
A pointed instrument for examining the surfaces of teeth
-
Extraction.
Removal of a tooth/teeth
-
Edentulous.
Missing the teeth in either arch.
-
Endodontics.
The specialty of dentistry that involves removing the disease in and around
the root or nerve of a tooth. Generally referred to as a "root canal".
F
-
Filling.
Restoring lost tooth structure with metal, alloy, porcelain or resin
-
Fistula.
Tunnel conducting pus from one infection to the site of another; a mouth
fistula is called a gum boil
-
Flap surgery.
Loosening of gums from bone to expose and clean underlying tooth structures
-
Forceps.
Instrument used to remove a tooth
-
Full denture.
Removable denture replacing all teeth in upper or lower arch
-
Frenectomy.
Removal of the frenum, the thin cord of tissue that attaches the upper or
lower lips to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth
G
-
GTR. (guided tissue
regeneration)
a new technique for
replacing bone tissue lost between roots of teeth
-
General anesthesia.
A
controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete
loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, and the ability to respond
purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command
-
Geographic tongue.
Loss of all
usual color and texture of tongue; does not require treatment
-
Gingiva.
The gums
-
Gingivectomy.
Removal of gum
tissue
-
Gingivitis.
Inflammation of gum tissue
H
-
Halitosis.
This is the term for "bad breath". There are several causes of halitosis,
including the foods that we eat, smoking, coffee, or it could be due to
periodontal disease, infection or "ketosis" which is a nutritional
imbalance. Brushing the tongue, swishing with rinses after eating, flossing,
and brushing after meals, avoiding coffee, smoking and garlic are some of
the best ways to prevent this.
-
Hyperemia.
Dental sensitivity to
temperature and sweets; can precede an abscess
I
-
Implants.
Dental implants, simply put, are replacements for missing roots. Most
implants are typically titanium posts that are imbedded into the jawbone and
then plastic or porcelain teeth are placed over the portion of the implant
that sticks out of the gums. They usually take several months to complete
since the bone must fuse to the posts before any kind of pressure can be put
on the implant itself.
-
Impaction.
This typically refers to the wisdom teeth. When a tooth is impacted, it can
either be partially impacted, soft tissue impacted or full bony impacted,
depending upon how far into the tissue the tooth is.
-
Incision and drainage.
Making an
incision in an abscess to drain infection
-
Incisors.
These are the front two teeth on either side of the midline. They are mainly
used for biting.
-
Inlay.
When a filling is large enough that a little more chewing support may be
needed, an inlay may be used. These are typically lab-processed cases and
are either porcelain or gold.
-
Intraoral camera.
A tiny TV
camera used to view teeth and tissues of the mouth
-
Insurance.
Dental insurance is designed to be a benefit that typically an employer can
offer to their employees to assist them with their health care costs.
Unfortunately, often more than 35% of the fees go towards administering the
plan, then most plans have limitations, deductibles, waivers, fee schedules,
pre-authorizations, waiting periods, and maximums. In addition, it often
adds unnecessary expenses to the dental office for preparing forms,
submitting for pre-estimates, waiting for approvals and processing claims.
This does not allow for the dental care to be done with the least amount of
cost to the patient and the maximum benefit applied to the provider's fees,
rather than to administrative paperwork. The
American Dental Association has assisted in establishing a program that
allows a patient to select their own dentist, have 95% of the fees be
applied towards the dental work (as opposed to 30-45% being wasted on
unnecessary insurance administrative costs) and is very cost effective for
employers. It is referred to as Direct Reimbursement. This program is a
cost-saving alternative that is quickly becoming the standard of care. Click
here for more information on Direct Reimbursement Plan.
-
INVISALIGN.
A process of straightening teeth using a series of thin hard almost clear
aligners to correct crooked, rotations, crowding or space problems in the
teeth. See
Invisalign section for more details
L
-
Lasers.
There are several different types of lasers currently in use for dentistry.
Among these include lasers that can be used to assist with bleaching, gum
therapy, decay removal, root canal therapy, desensitizing a tooth, and
helping heal an ulcer. In addition, the latest laser in our arsenal is one
that can be used to determine if a stained pit has decay or not. It is 98%
effective in it's diagnosis (more accurate than an x-ray for smaller cases,
and with much less radiation.)
-
Local Anesthetic
- This is the most common form of anesthetic given for most dental
procedures. The anesthetic is localized in one area and generally will last
anywhere from 2-4 hours duration, although there may be lingering sensation
for several hours longer. Either we give an infiltration or a block,
depending upon the area we need to numb up.
M
-
Malocclusion.
"Bad bite" or misalignment between the upper and lower teeth
-
Mandible.
The lower arch (lower jaw).
-
Margin.
Point of contact between a restoration and the tooth
-
Maryland bridge.
A bridge that is bonded or cemented only to the backs of the adjacent teeth
-
Maxilla.
The upper arch (upper jaw).
-
Molars.
The larger back teeth, which are the 6th, 7th, and 8th tooth in the mouth
from the front in each quadrant. They are used for most of the chewing.
N
-
Nightguard.
This is a removable appliance that is fabricated to assist with grinding,
bruxism, clenching and TMJ symptoms. It is often worn at night to prevent
wearing down the teeth surfaces.
-
Nerve.
A common term for tooth pulp which is the sensitive innermost portion of a
tooth
-
Nitrous oxide.
The gas used to reduce patient anxiety
-
Novocain.
An older brand name for a local anesthetic
-
Nutrition and
Dentistry.
The more we learn about nutrition, the more that we believe that a good diet
will promote a healthier lifestyle and healthier teeth. Especially if you
are anticipating dental work, you might wish to increase your Vitamin C,
since it aids with healing. During pregnancy, women should take extra care
to eat right and brush regularly since the hormone changes can affect the
susceptibility of the tissues to infection.
O
-
Occlusal
- the top of the teeth on the back teeth (the chewing surface.)
-
Occlusal Guards
- Bite splints or nightguards. If you have TMJ, it's worth worth looking
into getting an occlusal guard. These can be used to help relief pressure,
tension and anxiety.
-
Onlay
- When a tooth has a large filling that doesn't quite need a crown for side
wall support, but a filling might not be strong enough by itself or be
aesthetically compromised, then an onlay is placed. Generally, these are
either cast from gold, a strong pressed ceramic type material or made from
porcelain and are quite strong. They are more esthetic and more durable than
fillings.
-
Oral and maxillofacial
surgeon. A
specialist who deals with the diagnosis & surgical treatment of diseases,
injuries, and deformities of the mouth and supporting structures. Generally
requires four additional years of training after dental school
-
Oral cavity.
The mouth
-
Oral hygiene.
The process of maintaining the cleanliness of the mouth
-
Oral Surgery.
One of the specialties of dentistry. It includes the removal of teeth,
placing implants, and jaw surgery.
-
Orthodontics.
One of the specialties of dentistry. It involves braces, for the
straightening of teeth. Generally the procedures are done to straighten the
alignment of the teeth for better form, esthetics, function and speech. See
Invisalign section for more details
P
-
Palliative treatment.
Treatment that is designed primarily to reduce or eliminate pain
-
Parasthesia.
Loss of sensation in part of the body
-
Partial.
Removable denture replacing some of the teeth
-
Panoramic x-ray.
These are taken using a special machine that takes the x-ray of the jaws
with the film outside of the mouth and it shows a larger area at a time- all
the teeth on one film. It is generally good for looking for teeth, and for
identifying cycts, infections, impacted teeth, or fractures. The resolution
is generally not as good as the individual films to show cavities.
-
Pedodontics.
A specialty of dentistry. Pediatric Dentistry - the treatment of children's
teeth.
-
Periodontal Disease.
The irritation and swelling and bone loss that can occur if disease is let
go around the supporting tissues of the teeth. This is one of the more
common and also preventable diseases of mankind. See the
Periodontic Section for more information
-
Periodontal Pocket.
The area of the gum tissue that attaches to the tooth at the top of the
gums. Generally speaking, we have healthier gums when the pockets are 2-3 mm
deep, because it is easier to clean with a brush. Pockets that are 4-6 mm or
deeper, tend to trap food and bacteria easier and can lead to gum disease.
-
Permanent Teeth.
The adult teeth, the second set of teeth that we get, starting around age
six and ending when we get our third molars (wisdom teeth) around age 17-22.
-
Placebo:
A treatment that works because of the patient's belief in it, not because of
the actual physical change it produces
-
Plaque:
A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth; composed largely of
bacteria and food substances suspended in saliva
-
Pontic:
A false tooth mounted on a bridge
-
Porcelain
crowns: A porcelain cap which covers the crown (that portion above
the gumline) of the tooth to repair it or change the shape and/or color. See
Restorative Section for more information.
-
Porcelain
inlay or onlay: A tooth-colored filling, made of
porcelain. See the
Cosmetic Section for more information
-
Porcelain
veneers: A thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front and top of a
front tooth to repair or change the color and/or shape. See the
Cosmetic Section for more information
-
Post:
A thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy;
provides retention for a "core" which is a buildup of material that replaces
the lost tooth structure
-
Post-core:
A post and a buildup of material that replaces the lost tooth structure
-
Post-crown:
A single structure that combines post-core and crown
-
Prognosis:
The probable outcome of treatment
-
Prophylaxis:
Procedure for preserving the health and preventing infection of teeth
-
Prosthesis:
An artificial replacement for a body part
-
Prosthodontist:
A dentist who specializes in restoring teeth, replacing missing teeth with
bridges and dentures, and maintaining proper occlusion
-
Pulp:
The nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth
-
Pulp
cap: The medicated covering over a small area of exposed pulp
-
Pulp
chamber: The center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the
pulp
-
Pulpectomy:
Total removal of the pulp in children's teeth
-
Pulpitis:
Inflammation of the pulp; a common cause of a toothache
-
Pulpotomy:
Partial removal of the pulp
-
Pyorrhea:
Common term for gum disease
-
Plaque.
Generally this is the film that develops on teeth which is sticky and can
develop into a calcified mass called calculus if not removed. It is food
that is broken down and bacteria that combine to produce it. See the
Preventive Section for more information
-
Porcelain Veneers.
The thin pieces of porcelain that are used to change the shape, size or
color or position of teeth, primarily used in the front teeth. See
Cosmetic Section for more information
-
Posterior Teeth.
The back teeth in the mouth beyond the canines.
-
Primary Teeth.
This is the dental term for the first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth.
See the
Pedodontic Section form more information
-
Prophylaxis.
Also called a prophy. This is the basic cleaning of the teeth done by the
hygienist usually. See
Preventive Section for more information
R
-
Reimplantation.
Return to mouth of tooth/teeth lost through trauma
-
Reline.
Plastic buildup of denture to compensate for bone loss (usually accomplished
in conjunction with a dental laboratory)
-
Restoration.
The replacement part or portion restored on a damaged tooth
-
Retained root.
Root remaining in jaw after tooth is extracted or broken off
-
Root.
Tooth structure that connects the tooth to the jaw
-
Root Canals.
A root canal is typically done whenever the decay or injury to the tooth
invades the inner part of the tooth where the pulp is. This is where the
nerve and the blood supply are located. When a root canal is done, the inner
portion of the pulp is removed, along with any infection that may have
invaded the inside walls of the tooth. Then a sealer material is placed with
a rubbery plastic to fill the hole so that new infection can't get into the
tooth. Generally, by removing the root, it can potentially weaken a tooth
and therefore, it is common to protect the integrity of the tooth by placing
a crown over the tooth. See
Post Operations instructions for more information
S
-
Saliva.
Clear fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus,
viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles
-
Saliva ejector.
Suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva
-
Salivary glands.
Located under tongue and in cheeks, produce saliva
-
Scaling.
Meticulous removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces
-
Sealants.
Sealants used to be considered for children's teeth only. Now we are finding
that adults too, can benefit from sealants. Sealants are plastic coatings
that are placed on the etched surface in the grooves of teeth-typically on
the back molars and sometimes on pre-molars. It helps prevent sugars and
bacteria from getting into those deep fissures and cause decay. See the
Pedodontic Section for more information.
-
Specialties of
Dentistry.
There are several recognized specialties of dentistry. Simply stated, these
are the more common specialties: Endodontics is the treatment of root
canals. Pedodontics is the treatment of children. Periodontics is the
treatment of the gums. Orthodontics is the straightening of teeth. Oral
Surgery is extracting teeth and jaw surgery.
-
Sjorgren's Syndrome.
A condition resulting in dry mouth and dry eyes caused by an immune system
malfunction. It affects 2-4 million people and 90% are women. For more
details from a web site specifically designed for this topic, click
here.
-
Secondary dentin.
Produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation
-
Sleep apnea.
The periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep
-
Space maintainer.
Dental device that holds the space lost through premature loss of baby teeth
-
Splint.
To connect two or more teeth so they function as a stronger single structure
-
Supernumerary tooth.
Extra tooth
T
-
Tartar.
Also called calculus,
a hard deposit containing bacteria and minerals that adheres to teeth
-
TMD.
Temperomandibular
disorder; term given to condition characterized by facial pain and
restricted ability to open/move the jaw
-
TMJ.
The temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is a very unique and fragile joint.
Because of the numbers of tendons, ligaments and muscles that are used to
hold it in position, it is subject to trauma and stress. As a result,
headaches, jaw soreness and and neckaches can all be related to problems
related to the TMJ. Sometimes the small disc that separates the lower
jawbone from the socket where it rests gets displaced and a bite splint may
be used among other therapies to "reposition" the jaw into the proper
alignment.
-
Toothbrushes.
Brushing after
each meal or snack is a great way to prevent cavities. If your toothbrush is
frayed at the ends, you should consider replacing it. Let your toothbrush
air-dry in between uses so you don't get bacteria growing in it. Keep it in
the light, so the dark creepy bacteria can't do well. Bacteria like a dark
wet environment to thrive in. Tap the water off and make sure you don't
leave food or toothpaste on the brush. Never share a toothbrush with someone
else and change it even more frequently if you have been sick. See the
Preventive Section for information
-
Tooth bud.
Early embryonic structure that becomes a tooth
-
Tooth whitening.
A process to lighten the color of teeth
-
Torus.
Common bony growth on the palate or lower jaw
-
Transplant.
Placing a natural tooth in the empty socket of another tooth
-
Trauma.
Injury caused by a blow, chemicals, temperature extremes, or poor tooth
alignment
-
Trench mouth.
Gum disease characterized by severe mouth sores and loss of tissue.
U
-
Unerupted tooth:
A tooth
that has not pushed through the gum and assumed its correct position in the
jaw
V
-
Veneers.
Thin coverings on the teeth, typically made of porcelain, but can also apply
to composite materials. Veneers generally refer to the conservative version
of a crown. The procedure is similar and the technique is more critical,
because we are working with thin layers of porcelain and we also have to
concern ourselves with the underlying color of the teeth, since the veneers
are basically translucent and pick up the core shade of the teeth. See the
Cosmetic Section for more information
W
-
Wisdom Teeth.
These are the last teeth to come into your mouth. They are the 3rd molars
and generally do not come out until around age 17-25 years of age. Most
people either don't have room in their mouth for them, or they come in
crooked, or are impacted and never fully erupt. They get decayed easily and
therefore are most commonly removed on most patients. See
Post Operations instructions for more information
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