Abfraction
wearing of the tooth along the gumline caused by repeated clenching and grinding
Abrasion
wearing down of the tooth structure, commonly caused by using a hard toothbrush and improper brushing technique along the gumline. Grinding/chewing hard objects or food.
Abscess
infection of tooth, gum, or bone.
Abutment
teeth on either side of a bridge. supports the bridge.
Air Abrasion
the use of abrasive particles such as 27 micron aluminum oxide under high pressure to abrade and sometimes remove old fillings, dentin, and enamel. eliminates the need for a drill
Amalgams
mixture of silver, mercury, and several other metals used by dentists to make fillings for cavities. have a higher rate of causing tooth stresses and fractures.
Anesthesia
method of “numbing” an area of the mouth, or putting an area “to sleep” to block the transmission of pain through the nerves
Anterior Teeth
front six teeth on the upper and lower jaw (central, laterals, canines)
Attrition
loss of teeth over time caused by wear, long term usage, heavy usage
Base
material (cement) that is placed under a filling, when filling is getting close to the nerve to act as an insulator and sedative on the pulp of the tooth
Bicuspids
the fourth and fifth teeth from the midline. typically have 2 cusps
Bleaching- in office
method where a chemical is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the chemical lighten the teeth
Bleaching- at home
method of making trays to fit into the mouth and these are filled with chemicals
Braces
help to correct rotated teeth, too large spaces, crowding or misalignment of teeth
Bridge
a permanently cemented appliance that replaces missing teeth
Bruxism
the grinding and clenching of the teeth
Calculus
when plaque hardens on your teeth, cannot be removed simply with brushing
Canines
third tooth from the midline on each arch
Caries
term for a cavity (decay) on a tooth
Composites
glass filled resin fillings, more conservative and aesthetic than silver
Crowns
placed over a tooth when a large portion of the tooth is lost to decay or has broken off, if the filling would comprise a significant portion of the tooth, often the tooth can fracture under the stresses of chewing therefore, placing this over the tooth protects the chewing surface
Curettage
the scraping of the soft tissue areas to remove the bacteria deep under the gums
Cuspids
third tooth from the midline
Deciduous Teeth
children’s first set of teeth, replaced later with permanent teeth (primary teeth)
Dentures
false, removable teeth made of a type of plastic or porcelain that duplicates the shape, size, and function of teeth
Edentulous
missing the teeth in either arch
EMPRESS Crowns/Veneers
a type of conservative veneer or laminate crown that uses a technique in which a strong porcelain material is bonded to the tooth, rather than cemented, and it picks up a more natural color of the underlying tooth
Endodontics
specialty of dentistry that involves removing disease in and around the root of the nerve of the tooth. (root canal)
Gingiva
term for gums, or supporting soft tissue around the teeth
Gingivitis
inflammation and bleeding of the gums. first step toward periodontal disease, is reversible
Halitosis
term for bad breath, several causes including foods we eat, smoking, coffee, or could be due to periodontal disease, infection or ketosis which is a nutritional imbalance
Implants
typically titanium posts that are imbedded into the jawbone and then plastic or porcelain teeth are placed over the portion of that sticks out of the gum
Impaction
a tooth can either be partially impacted, soft impacted, or full bony impacted, depending on how far into the tissue the tooth is
Incisors
front two teeth on either side of the midline
Inlay
when a filling is large enough that a little more chewing support may be needed, typically lab-processed cases and are either porcelain or gold
Invisalign
process of straightening teeth using a series of thin hard plastic “aligners” in a series, to correct rotations, crowding or space problems
Lasers
can be used to assist with bleaching, gum therapy, decay removal, root canal therapy, desensitizing a tooth, and helping heal an ulcer. also used to determine if stained pit has decay
Local Anesthetic
localized in one area, generally will last from 2-4 hours duration, may be lingering sensation for several hours longer
Mandible
lower jaw
Maxilla
upper jaw
Molars
6th, 7th, and 8th tooth in the mouth from the midline
Night Guard
removable appliance that is fabricated to assist with grinding, bruxism, clenching and TMJ symptoms, worn over
Occlusal
the top of the teeth on the back teeth
Occlusal Guards
can be used to help relieve pressure, tension, and stresses from clenching
Onlay
when a tooth has a large filling that doesn’t need a crown. More conservative than crowns and leaves as much tooth structure as possible.
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.
Panoramic X-ray
An X-ray that takes a a picture outside the mouth and shows all teeth on one film. This is useful for identifying cysts, infections, impacted teeth, or fractures.
Pedodontics
Pediatric Dentistry
Periodontal Disease
The irritation, swelling, and bone loss that can occur around the supporting tissue of the teeth. irreversible
Periodontal Pocket
The area of the gum tissue that attaches to the tooth at the top of the gums. Healthy: 2-3mm. UnHealthy:4-6mm
Permanent Teeth
The second set of teeth that we get, starting around age 6 and ending when we get our 3rd molars, age 17-22
Plaque
Film that develops on teeth which is sticky. It is food that is broken down and bacteria that combine to produce it.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin pieces of porcelain that are used to change the shape, size, color, or position of teeth. Primarily used on the front teeth.
Posterior Teeth
The back teeth in the mouth beyond the canines.
Primary Teeth
The first set of teeth also called baby teeth.
Prophylaxis
“Prophy” A basic cleaning of the teeth and gums done by a dental hygienist.
Root Canal
A treatment in which diseased tissue from this part of the tooth is removed and the resulting cavity is filled with an inert material.
Sealants
Plastic coatings that are placed on the etched surface in the grooves of teeth. Typically on the back molars and sometimes on the pre-molars.
Sjogrens’s Syndrome
A condition resulting in dry mouth and eyes caused by an immune system malfunction. Affects 2-4 million people. 90% are women.
TMJ
Temporo-Mandibular-Joint
A unique and fragile joint in the jaw that is subject to stress and trauma due to the number of tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are used to hold it in position.
Veneers
A thin covering on teeth typically made of porcelain but can also apply to composite materials. Conservative version of a crown.
Wisdom Teeth
The last teeth to come in. The 3rd molars. Don’t come until 17-25 years old.