Oral health definitions for non-dentists
- Amalgam - Silver-colored filling material; may also be referred to as a restoration or filling.
- Bitewings - X-rays of the top and bottom molars and pre-molars to show decay between teeth or under fillings.
- Bridge - A non-removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth with false teeth and attaches to healthy teeth.
- Calculus (Tartar) - Hardened plaque on teeth, requiring scaling to remove.
- Caries - Cavities and decay.
- Complete Mouth Survey - (CMS) Multiple X-rays taken of the entire dental structure. For an adult, approximately 16-21 films.
- Composite - A tooth colored filling material; also referred to as a filling.
- Cosmetic Dentistry - Beautifying teeth and smile through bleaching, bonding, closing spaces, and improving appearance of teeth.
- Crown - A gold or porcelain cap that covers a tooth
- Edentulous - Having no teeth.
- Endodontics - Department/process providing root canal treatment for teeth with diseased pulp.
- Gingiva - Gums.
- Gingivitis - Inflammation of the gum tissue; common reversible gum disease that occurs when plaque is not removed.
- Impacted - Describes a tooth not visible above the gum line.
- Implant - An artificial tooth substitute, surgically implanted in the bone.
- Inlays - A gold, porcelain or composite filling placed within the cusps of the tooth.
- Occlusal - The chewing or grinding surface of a tooth.
- Onlays - Porcelain or gold restorations covering at least one cusp of the tooth.
- Operative Dentistry - Department providing fillings, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry.
- Oral Pathology - Study of diseases and pain of mouth and jaw.
- Oral Surgery - Department where extractions of teeth are performed as well as general surgical procedures in the jaws, and lower facial area.
- Orthodontics - Department providing bands (braces) for straightening teeth.
- Partial - (RPD; Removable partial denture) Removable replacement for missing teeth that rests on the gums with clasps that attach to remaining teeth.
- Pediatric Dentistry - Department providing dentistry for children under the age of 16.
- Periodontics - Department providing treatment for gum disease and resulting bone loss.
- Plaque - Soft deposits of bacteria and debris that collect on teeth.
- Pocket - Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth where bacteria can enter, causing gum disease.
- Preventive Dentistry - Teeth cleaning and instruction to prevent gum disease.
- Prophylaxis - Prophy; a basic teeth cleaning.
- Prosthesis - A cemented or removable replacement for missing teeth.
- Prosthodontics - Department where crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures are made.
- Pulpitis - An infection of the nerve inside a tooth.
- Pulpotomy - Removal of only the pulp tissue in the crown of the tooth, an endodontic procedure.
- Radiographs - X-rays.
- Recall - Appointment for a patient who is returning for maintenance or follow up care.
- Restoration - Filling used to restore the tooth.
- Root Canal Therapy - (RCT, endodontic therapy) Removal of the nerve inside a tooth and subsequent filling of this space.
- Scaling and Root Planing - Cleaning teeth to remove calculus and plaque above and below the gum line.
- Third Molars (wisdom teeth) - The last teeth to come into the mouth.
- Treatment Plan - A list of procedures and related costs recommended to treat patient’s dental needs.
- Veneer - A porcelain facing placed on an anterior tooth.
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