Click on term below to expand.
Abutment
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. They are the part of the bridge used to support the replacement of the missing teeth.
Amalgam Restorations
Silver filling. Amalgams are usually placed on the back teeth.
Anterior
The front teeth.
Apicoectomy
Surgical Root Canal Therapy.
Bicuspid
The first and second bicuspids are the fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth that are used for chewing; they only have two cusps.
Bitewing
X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth’s biting surfaces on the same film. This x-ray shows the portion of the teeth above the gum line.
Composite Filling
Crown Restorations
An artificial tooth or cap, which covers a fractured tooth or one weakened by decay.
Dental Prophylaxis
Cleaning the teeth. Procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains. Also known as a prophy.
Dental Sealants
Clear application of acrylic placed over the biting surface of the tooth to prevent decay.
Fluoride Treatments
application of a gel or liquid that prevents decay.
Inlay Restorations
A laboratory-processed filling/restoration made of metal or porcelain. This filling does not involve the high points of the tooth.
Intraoral
Molar
The first, second and third molars, they are the sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. The back teeth with the large chewing surface on top. They have four cusps.
Onlay Restorations
A laboratory-processed restoration made of metal or porcelain that replaces one or more of the highest points of the tooth.
Oral Surgery
The dental specialty limited to the surgical removal of teeth, and the treatment of disease, deformities, and defects of the jaws and associated structures.
Orthodontics
The dental specialty dealing with the alignment of teeth, usually through the use of braces.
Panoramic film
X-ray taken outside of the mouth that shows all the teeth on one film.
Perio Scaling and Root Planing
Deep cleaning/scraping under the gums.
Periodontics
The dental specialty associated with the prevention and treatment of gum disease.
Pontic
An artificial tooth used in bridges.
Prosthodontics
The dental specialty limited to the restoration to the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth.
- Pontic - An artificial tooth used in bridges.
- Abutment - The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. They are the part of the bridge used to support the replacement of the missing teeth.
- Bridge - a fixed partial denture, which is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or implant abutments adjacent to the space (not removable).
- Partial Denture - usually refers to the prosthetic device that replaces the missing teeth on a framework that can be removed by the patient.
Pulpotomy
Partial or complete removal of damaged dental pulp to relieve pain. A root canal is usually recommended to save the tooth.
Radiograph
X-ray
- Intraoral - Inside the mouth.
- Bitewing - X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth’s biting surfaces on the same film. Shows the portion of the teeth above the gum line.
Resin Restorations
Tooth colored filling, also known as a Composite filling.
Restoration
Procedures performed to restore the missing part of the teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
A treatment used on a tooth with damaged pulp to stop infection and save the tooth. The pulp is completely removed and the inside of the tooth is sterilized and sealed to prevent infection.
- Anterior - The front teeth.
- Bicuspid - The fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth that are used for chewing; they only have two cusps.
- Molar - The sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. The back teeth with the large chewing surface on top. They have 4 cusps.
Silicate Restorations
