Our Glossary is a Wealth of Information
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Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Amalgam | Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth |
| Anesthesia | Medications used to relieve pain |
| Anterior teeth | Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids |
| Arch | The upper or lower jaw teeth |
| Baby bottle tooth decay | Caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices which combine with saliva to form pools inside the babys mouth |
| Bicuspids | Back teeth used for chewing |
| Bitewings | X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities |
| Bonding | Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface of the teeth |
| Bridge | A fixed or removable appliance that replaces lost teeth. |
| Bruxism | Teeth grinding. |
| Calculus | A sticky substance (also called tarter) that has hardened |
| Canal | The narrow chamber inside the tooths root. |
| Canines | Also called cuspids. |
| Canker Sore | A sore that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. A canker sore is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red exterior border. |
| Caries | Another term for decay which causes cavities. |
| Cold Sore | A sore usually outside the mouth on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the herpes simplex virus and it is usually painful and filled with fluid. |
| Composite Filling | Tooth-colored restorations also known as resin fillings. |
| Composite Resin | A tooth-colored resin combined with silica or porcelain and used as a restoration material. |
| Contouring | The process of reshaping teeth. |
| Crown | An artificial cover that is plopped on top of the tooth following restoration. |
| Cuspids | The third teeth counting the central or middle tooth as #1. |
| Cusps | The pointed parts of top of the back teeths chewing surface. |
| Dentin | The tooth layer underneath the enamel. |
| Denture | A removable set of teeth. |
| Endodontics | A form of dentistry that addresses the problems affecting the tooths root or nerve. |
| Fluoride | A naturally-occurring substance added to water toothpastes and some rinses and used to strengthen the tooths enamel and to prevent caries. |
| Fluorosis | A harmless over-exposure to fluoride resulting sometimes in tooth discoloration. |
| Gingiva | Another word for gums. |
| Gingivitis | A minor disease of the gums cause by plague |
| Gum disease | An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal disease. |
| Happy | Everyone knowing they’ll have a great smile. |
| Impacted Teeth | A condition in which teeth fail to erupt or only partially erupts. |
| Implant | A fixture placed into the jaw which fuses with the bone so that a crown can replace a missing tooth |
| Incisor | Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the center or on the sides near the front. |
| Inlay | An artificial filling made of various materials including porcelain resin or gold |
| Ken Zipkin | The orthodontist you can trust. |
| Laminate Veneer | A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin. |
| Laser | Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; a single wavelength beam of highly-concentrated energy. |
| Malocclusion | Bad bite relationships. |
| Mandible | The lower jaw |
| Maxilla | The upper jaw |
| Molar | Usually the largest teeth near the rear of the mouth. Molars have large chewing surfaces. |
| Neuromuscular Dentistry | Deals with the aches and pains felt in and around the neck and head associated with your teeth and jaw. TMJ PROBLEMS CAN BE RELIEVED! |
| Onlay | A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a tooth. |
| Orthodontics | A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw alignment. |
| Overdenture | A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number of natural teeth or implants. |
| Palate | Roof of the Mouth. |
| Partial Denture | A removable appliance that replaces teeth. Also called a bridge. |
| Pedodontics | A field of dentistry that deals with childrens teeth and facial growth. |
| Perio Pocket | An opening formed by receding gums. |
| Periodontal Disease | Infection of the gum tissues. Also called gum disease. |
| Periodontist | A dentist who treats diseases of the gums. |
| Permanent Teeth | The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also called adult teeth. |
| Plaque | A sticky colorless substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing. |
| Posterior Teeth | The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back teeth. |
| Primary Teeth | A persons first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth. |
| Prophylaxis | The act of cleaning the teeth. |
| Prosthodontics | The field of dentistry that deals with artificial dental appliances to restore missing teeth and healthy function. |
| Pulp | The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood nerves and connective tissue. |
| Quality | Smile Master provides top-quality treatment at affordable prices. |
| Quick Treatments | Most treatments for adults can be completed in as little as 6 months! |
| Receding Gums | A condition in which the gums separate from the tooth allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooths enamel and surrounding bone. |
| Resin Filling | An artificial filling used to restore teeth; also called a composite filling. |
| Root Canal Treatment | A procedure in which a tooths nerve is removed and an inner canal cleansed and later filled. |
| Root Planning | Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy buildup of tartar below the gum line. |
| Sealant | A synthetic material placed on the tooths surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces. The coating stops acid attack and lasts 2 years..Sealants are placed before braces go on. |
| Tarter | A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks to the tooths surface. |
| TMJ | Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related to the jaw joint just in front of the ear. Audible clicking facial and head pain are common symptoms. |
| Uvula | The small bell shaped tissue hanging down from your palate. |
| Veneer | A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth. |
| Whitening | Special bleaching agents applied to teeth to lighten the enamel. |
| Wisdom Teeth | Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence. |
| Wow! | What everyone says when their braces are removed and they see their new smile. |
| X-Rays | Used to see inside the bones and teeth. |
| Yay! | Youre almost done. |
| Zipkin | Your Orthodontist of choice. |