| 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. |
| Crowns |
An artificial "top" made of porcelain, composite, or metal that
is cemented on top of damaged teeth. |
| Currettage |
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 |
Dentist who specializes on
teeth and diseases of the tooth pulp, most
common treatment: root canal. |
| Endentulous |
Without any teeth. |
| Flouride |
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 Anethesia |
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 jaw. |
| Onlay |
A large filling when a substantial part of the tooth is replaced. |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon |
Dentists who specializes in
surgery of the teeth and bones of the jaw or face. |
| Orthodontist |
Dentist who specializes in correcting abnormally aligned
or positioned teeth. See Braces. |
| 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 |
Dentists who specializes in
the treatment of children's teeth and
children's oral diseases. |
| Periodontist |
Dentist who specializes in 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.
|
| Prosthetics |
Dental implants or artificial teeth. |
| Prosthodontist |
Board Certified Dentists who specialize in the replacement of missing
teeth by bridges and dentures. See Bridges. See 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 Planing |
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 anethesia 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. |
