Glossary of Terms

Dental Exam - Comprehensive evaluation of oral health, including teeth, gums, and jaw.

Dental X-rays - Imaging to identify issues like cavities, bone loss, or infections.

Prophylaxis (Dental Cleaning) - Professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and stains.

Fluoride Treatment - Application of fluoride to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.

Sealants - Protective coatings applied to molars to prevent cavities.

Filling - Repairing cavities using materials like amalgam or composite resin.

Crown - A cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape and function.

Bridge - A prosthetic used to replace missing teeth, anchored by adjacent teeth.

Implant - A titanium post surgically placed to replace a missing tooth's root.

Inlay/Onlay - Custom-fit restorations for repairing moderate tooth damage.

Root Canal Therapy - Removing infected pulp from inside a tooth and sealing it.

Bonding - Application of tooth-colored resin to repair chips, cracks, or gaps.

Amalgams - A dental filling material made from a mixture of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper.

Light-cured Composites - Tooth-colored resin-based materials hardened using a curing light (usually LED or UV).

Glass Ionomers - tooth-colored materials made from a mix of powdered glass and organic acids, available as light-cured or self-cured (chemically setting) options.

A dental specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of issues related to the tooth pulp and surrounding tissues.

Pulp: The soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

Pulpitis: Inflammation of the pulp, often caused by deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental procedures.

Apical Foramen: The small opening at the tip of the tooth root where nerves and blood vessels enter the pulp.

Periapical: Refers to the area surrounding the tip of the tooth root.

Root Canal: The hollow section of a tooth’s root containing the pulp.

Scaling and Root Planing - Deep cleaning below the gum line to treat gum disease.

Gum Graft - Transplanting tissue to cover exposed roots or repair gum recession.

Periodontal Surgery - Procedures to treat advanced gum disease or bone loss.

Extraction - Removal of a tooth due to decay, infection, or crowding.

Wisdom Tooth Removal - Surgical extraction of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth.

Apicoectomy - Surgical removal of the tip of a tooth root to treat persistent infection.

Bone Grafting - Adding bone material to strengthen areas for dental implants.

Sinus Lift - Raising the sinus floor to allow placement of dental implants in the upper jaw.

Dental Trauma Care - Treatment for injuries like chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.

Abscess Drainage - Draining pus to relieve pain and treat infection in the gums or teeth.

Facial Fractures: Broken bones in the maxillofacial region (e.g., jaw, cheekbones).

Soft Tissue Injuries: Lacerations or damage to gums, lips, or facial skin.

Benign Growths: Non-cancerous tumors like odontogenic cysts.

Oral Cancer: Malignant growth in the oral cavity or jaw.

Maintenance services such as relining, rebasing, or repairing broken prostheses.

Crown:

A tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.

Can be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination (e.g., porcelain-fused-to-metal).

Bridge:

A dental appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth (or teeth) to adjacent natural teeth or implants.

        Complete Dentures:

Replace all teeth in either the upper or lower arch.

Made of acrylic resin and designed to fit snugly over the gums.

Partial Dentures:

Replace one or several missing teeth.

Often includes a metal or acrylic framework that anchors to remaining natural teeth.

Overdentures:

Rest on remaining natural teeth or implants for support and stability.

Help preserve the underlying bone and soft tissue.

Flippers:

Temporary removable partial dentures used as a placeholder or aesthetic solution.

Implant-Supported Dentures:

Removable dentures that are stabilized by dental implants for added security and functionality.