-A-
Amalgam - a silver colored metalic material used for fillings.
Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures.
Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth.
Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs.
Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth.
-B-
Biopsy - The removal of a small piece of soft tissue to be microscopically examined.
Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth.
Bonding - a tooth colored restoration chemically bonded to a tooth.
Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth.
Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping.
-C-
Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth.
Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay.
Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth.
Crown - an artificial cap or cover on a tooth ,made of porcelain and/or metal.
Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines.
-D-
Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth."
Dental Implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.
Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.
-E-
Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line.
Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth).
Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth.
-F-
Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity.
Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay.
-G-
Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
-I-
Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction.
Incisal - related to incisors (see below).
Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth.
Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth.
Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns.
-L-
Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals.
Lumineers – a type of veneers that is often used by dentists to enhance a person’s smile
-N-
Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth. Often used to treat TMJ disorders.
-O-
Onlays- a restoration that covers the entire biting surface of an unhealthy tooth
-P-
Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth.
Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.
Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
-R-
Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line.
Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside of the nerve canal of a tooth that is heavily decayed or infected.
-S-
Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth.
Smile Makeover – A procedure that uses a combination of treatments to transform a person’s smile.
-T-
Tartar - see calculus.
TMJ Syndrome - a disorder ,often painful ,associated with the joints of the jaw.
Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth.
-V-
Veneer - a porcelain or composite material bonded to the front of a tooth in order to change its shape and/or color.