Abscess– A sac of bacteria forms a localized infection in the bone or soft gum tissues, usually at the end of the root tip.

Abutment– The natural tooth that holds a fixed or removable bridge in place.

Air Abrasion– A device using tiny particles of aluminum oxide blasted in a stream of water at the tooth to remove the decayed debris and ruined enamel of cavities, usually eliminating the need for anesthesia. It is not usable in all places where a drill would be used.

Amalgam– an alloy of mercury, silver, tin, etc. used in dental restorations.

Anesthesia– Drugs and procedures that relive the sensation of pain including general anesthesia, IV sedation, needle-less anesthesia and local anesthesia.

Attrition– The wearing away of tooth enamel due to the opposing tooth and grinding.

Bite– The way the mouth closes, or the way in which the upper and lower teeth meet.

Bleaching– Whitening teeth using a combination of solutions which includes weak acids and hydrogen peroxide.

Bonding– The covering of a tooth surface with a composite resin to correct stained or damaged teeth, sometimes changing the shape of the tooth.

Bridge– A fixed partial denture or prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth which is attached to the adjacent teeth.

Bruxism– Involuntary “nervous” grinding of the teeth while the patient sleeps.

Calculus– Hardened plaque that has become mineralized.

Caries– The medical term for dental cavities.

Cementum– A thin layer of dull yellow colored calcified tissue that has the hardness of bone and covers the root surface of the tooth, connecting the root to the jawbone.

Composite filling– A tooth-colored filling composed of a polymer material that looks like a natural tooth.

Crown or Cap– A restoration that covers your natural tooth that is damaged. It can be composed of metal, porcelain, metal/porcelain or pressed acrylic.

Cusps– The raised round parts on the chewing surface of the teeth.

Dentin– The hard tissue under the enamel of the tooth structure covered by enamel and surrounded by a layer of cementum along the tooth.

Dentures– an artificial set of teeth that is removable. The full denture replaces all the teeth in the arch. The partial denture can replace one or more missing teeth in the arch.

Enamel– The hard, shiny highly calcified covering over the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body.

Filling– Restoring lost tooth structure with amalgam, metal, porcelain, or composite resin used in the treatment of cavities.

Fluoride– A chemical that is used to strengthen the tooth enamel which is added to many public water supplies and also toothpaste.

General Anesthesia– Controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by loss of pain sensation, protective reflexes, including the loss of ability to independently maintain airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal communication.

Gingivitis– Inflammation of the gums. Early stage of gum disease.

Halitosis– Bad breath.

Impacted Tooth– A tooth that is submerged under gum tissue. It may be mal positioned, partially erupted, or completely submerged. It may never erupt. Most commonly associated with wisdom teeth.

Implant– A manufactured material placed in or on the jawbone to aid in replacing missing teeth.

Intraoral Camera– A tiny TV camera used to view the inside of the mouth, with the images projected onto a monitor screen.

Lumineers– Extremely thin (contact lens thick) shells of special porcelain customized to the new desired shape and size of tooth then secured on the tooth with a special cement without drilling the tooth, with NO needles (shots), and NO pain.

Malocclusion– Meaning bad bite. Any condition that does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth.

Night Guard– An acrylic mouthpiece worn to prevent damage from grinding teeth at night.

Periodontitis– Gingival and bone disease caused by advanced gingivitis which causes bone loss and may result in tooth loss if untreated.

Plaque– A sticky substance that forms on the surface of the teeth and harbors bacteria growth, molds, and acid formation beneath its surface, causing tooth decay.

Porcelain Laminate Veneers– A thin porcelain shell (similar to a fingernail in thickness) that is bonded to the front and top of a tooth to correct imperfections in shape and color, or to close space between teeth.

Prosthodontics– The replacement of missing or lost teeth with artificial teeth. Common procedures are crowns, bridges, dentures and false teeth.

Pulp Chamber– The opening in the center of the crown of a tooth, which contains the pulp or nerve tissue and vessels, and stretches to the tip of the root.

Root Canal– A procedure used to save an abscessed tooth in which the pulp chamber is cleaned out, disinfected, and filled with a permanent filling.

Root Planing– Deep cleaning of the teeth to remove hardened plaque below the gumline, usually performed one quadrant at a time.

Scaling– A treatment for gum disease including removal of hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) from the teeth.

Tartar– Calcified plaque that forms from mineral salts in the saliva and deposits on the teeth.

Veneers– A thin porcelain shell (similar to a fingernail in thickness) that is bonded to the front and top of a tooth to correct imperfections in shape and color, or to close space between teeth.

Whitening– A process which lightens the color of the teeth.