Dental terminology can often seem like a foreign language to new patients, but understanding these terms can significantly enhance your communication with your dental care team. Here’s a comprehensive guide to common dental terms you might hear in a dental office, explained in layman’s terms:
1. Plaque:
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If not removed through brushing and flossing, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Tartar (Calculus):
When plaque hardens on your teeth, it becomes tartar. Tartar is tough to remove and requires professional cleaning to get rid of it.
3. Cavity (Caries):
A cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay, which results from bacteria in plaque producing acids that attack the tooth enamel.
4. Enamel:
Enamel is the hard, outer surface layer of your teeth that protects them from decay. It’s the hardest substance in the human body.
5. Dentin:
Dentin is the layer of the tooth just beneath the enamel. It’s less hard than enamel and can be sensitive if exposed to the outside environment.
6. Gingiva (Gums):
Your gums are the soft tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Healthy gums are vital for maintaining overall oral health.
7. Periodontal Disease:
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden.
8. Root Canal:
A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The procedure involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it, then filling and sealing it.
9. Crown:
A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that’s placed over a tooth to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance.
10. Bridge:
A bridge is a dental restoration method that literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It consists of crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth/teeth in between.
11. Implant:
An implant is a metal post or frame that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them.
12. Orthodontics:
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with diagnosing, preventing, and correcting mispositioned teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment.
13. Braces:
Braces are devices used in orthodontics to straighten teeth and correct bite issues by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction.
14. Wisdom Teeth:
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They typically appear in the late teenage years or early twenties. Sometimes they need to be removed if they cause pain, are impacted, or lead to other dental issues.
15. Fluoride:
Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. Fluoride treatments may be recommended by your dentist for added protection against tooth decay.
16. Scaling and Root Planing:
This is a deep cleaning procedure that involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, and smoothing out the roots of the teeth to help gums reattach to the teeth.
17. Veneers:
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. They are used to treat various cosmetic concerns, such as chipped, broken, discolored, or smaller-than-average teeth.
18. Bite:
Your bite is how your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. An improper bite can cause issues with chewing and speaking, and can lead to jaw pain and wear on your teeth.
19. X-rays:
Dental X-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. This can help your dentist to identify problems, like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.
20. Sealants:
Sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars), where decay occurs
21. Composite Resin:
Composite resin is a tooth-colored filling material used in cosmetic dental procedures to repair decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored teeth. Unlike amalgam fillings, composites blend with your tooth color.
22. Impression:
An impression is a mold that your dentist takes of your teeth and mouth. It’s used to create a precise model of your teeth for designing dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic devices.
23. Bonding:
Bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin to repair a damaged tooth. It can be used to fix chips, cracks, discoloration, or to change the shape or size of teeth.
24. Denture:
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available: complete dentures (when all teeth are missing) and partial dentures (when some natural teeth remain).
25. Extraction:
Extraction is the process of removing a tooth from its socket in the bone. This may be necessary if a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, or in cases of advanced gum disease.
26. Local Anesthetic:
Local anesthetic is a type of medication used to numb a specific area of your mouth during dental procedures to prevent pain and discomfort.
27. Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous oxide, often referred to as “laughing gas,” is a safe and effective sedative agent mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax during dental procedures.
28. Occlusion:
Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). Proper occlusion affects your overall oral health.
29. Periodontist:
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants.
30. Endodontist:
An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating diseases and injuries of the tooth pulp or nerve of the tooth. They are experts in performing root canal treatment.
31. Prosthodontist:
A prosthodontist is a dentist specialized in designing, making, and fitting artificial replacements for teeth and other parts of the mouth. They work with crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
32. Orthodontist:
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. They use braces, aligners, and other devices to correct misaligned teeth and jaws.
33. Pediatric Dentist:
A pediatric dentist specializes in dental care for children from infancy through the teen years. They are trained to address children’s dental needs and provide a comfortable experience.
34. Dental Hygienist:
Dental hygienists are licensed dental professionals who specialize in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. They perform cleanings, assess oral health conditions, and educate patients on proper oral care.
35. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint):
The TMJ connects your jawbone to your skull. Disorders of this joint can cause pain and discomfort in your jaw, making it difficult to chew or speak.
Understanding these terms can greatly enhance your ability to make informed decisions about your dental care and improve your communication with your dental care providers.