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Glossary
Amalgam
Typical silver colored filling made of mix of
silver, tin, mercury, and some other trace elements like copper.
Advantages- placement easier than other materials, cost (but not in our
office). Disadvantages- expansion/contraction of metallic substance,
color, breaks down in 10-20 years, just plain ugly.
Apicoectomy
The name for a procedure of sealing and shaping
the submerged root end of a tooth. This procedure involves surgical entry
through soft tissue and bone to gain access to the root end.
Composite
Tooth colored filling
materials. Many varieties, many uses. Main advantages- color, adhesives
available to strengthen rather than weaken tooth. Disadvantages- some
techniques may have shrinkage and wear problem, very technique sensitive.
Crown
Also called a cap, a crown is a cover for a decayed or
damaged tooth made of porcelain and/or metal.
Bridge
One or more artificial teeth
attached to neighboring teeth, usually joined by crowns on each side of
artificial tooth. It is used to maintain space and function for missing
teeth.
Bonding
The covering of a tooth surface to correct stained
or damaged teeth, by painting a layer of plastic on the tooth.
Extraction
The removal of teeth-not the patient's wallet!
Laminated Veneer
A thin porcelain shell bonded to the tooth
to correct imperfections in shape and color.
Inlay
A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made filling
cemented into the tooth. If it covers the tips of the teeth or otherwise
supports the tips it is called an onlay.
Nightguard
A plastic mouthpiece to
prevent damage from grinding teeth at night.
Orthodontic Treatment
Braces to correct the position of
teeth.
Overbite
Refers to the amount of vertical overlap of the
anterior teeth. Normal range is between 0 and 20%.
Overjet
Refers to the amount of distance between the upper
and lower incisor teeth in a horizontal plane front to back. Normal is 0
to 1mm.
Porcelain Onlays
A restorative option done
to replace one, more, or all of your posterior tooth cusps if fractured or
lost due to trauma or decay. The final result is most esthetic and
discreet. In comparison to a crown, an onlay is more conservative in
regards to the amount of total tooth structure removal that is required.
We love conserving tooth structure, ask if you are eligible!
Prophy
Simple cleaning of teeth with hand instruments,
sometimes a cavitating and/or baking soda spraying instrument, rubber
wheel and dental toothpaste.
Root Canal Therapy
Cleaning out the inside tube of the tooth
to preserve the teeth.
Root Planing
The cleaning of the root surface to provide
healthy attached gum.
Sealant
Plastic coating applied to
grooves of teeth to prevent decay.
If we say you have...
- Abscess
Infection caused by severe decay, trauma, or gum
disease. You may have pain and swelling, angular chelitis, sore areas in
the outermost corners of the upper and lower lip junction.
- Bruxism
Tooth grinding often caused by stress. Most often
done unconsciously at night.
- Crossbite
Misalignment of the teeth when biting. Lower
teeth shift to one side. May affect both sides.
- Papillary Denture Hyperplasia
Raised bumpy red areas on
the hard palate under an upper denture.
- Periodontitis
Advanced gum disease; inflammation of gum
tissue, which causes bone loss resulting in tooth loss if untreated.
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