Glossary of Dental Terms
1. Aesthetic Dentist: A dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry; various dental treatments and procedures are to create a beautiful smile
2. Aesthetic Dentistry: similar to cosmetic dentistry, use of various dental treatments and procedures to create a beautiful smile
3. All Porcelain Crowns: most natural and aesthetically pleasing dental crown; excellent choice for traumatized front teeth
4. Amalgam Fillings: metal dental fillings containing traces of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals; controversial because of potential health hazards
5. Bonding: tooth-colored resin is “bonded” to a tooth to restore the tooth, or make it more aesthetically pleasing; generally an easy and least expensive procedure
6. Bridges: false tooth/teeth firmly attached to two dental crowns; “bridges” gaps caused by missing or underdeveloped teeth
7. BriteSmile Teeth Whitening: patented teeth whitening system used in office by dental professionals; popular and successful whitening system
8. CAD/CAM Technology: innovative technology used in creating dental restorations (ie. crowns, veneers, inlays/onlays, bridges, etc.); unprecedented efficiency and accuracy
9. Cerec Crowns: technology available for dentists to create a dental restoration in-office; minimizes dental visits for patients; arguably creates better restorations than previous restorations sent to laboratories
10. Children’s Dentistry: dental health is important for infants and children; tooth decay and cavities are reportedly the most chronic ailments in children and teenagers
11. Cosmetic Dentist: dentists who improve the aesthetics of a patient’s smile (gums, teeth, smile, etc.)
12. Composite Fillings: type of dental restoration often referred to as “tooth-colored fillings”; various composites allow the filling to appear more natural
13. DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery
14. DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine
15. Dental bonding: tooth colored material is bonded to a tooth; used in preventative measures as well as cosmetic dental work
16. Dental Crown: a “cap” that is placed over a tooth or dental implant; can be needed to cover a dental implant or discolored tooth, restore a broken tooth, or protect a weak tooth
17. Dental Hygiene: maintaining good oral health; includes regular brushing, flossing, dental cleaning, as well as gum and tongue cleaning
18. Dental Implants:procedure for a missing tooth; an “anchor” placed in the jaw to replicate the natural root of a tooth
19. Dental Sealants: preventative dental procedure where thin coating is placed over vulnerable teeth to prevent cavities and decay
20. Dentures: commonly known as “false teeth”; helps restore ability to chew as well as aesthetic improvements
21. Digital Imaging: enables advanced diagnosis and examination; patients can better visualize problems and treatment
22. Digital X-rays: an X-ray of a tooth’s interior; patients are able to see their tooth and dental problem on a computer screen, enabling the patient visualize their tooth
23. Enamel: protective outer layer of a tooth; it is the part of the tooth you can see
24. Enamel Recontouring: considered a cosmetic procedure; change or reshape teeth to correct a bite, or make a smile more aesthetically pleasing
25. Endodontics: specialty branch of dentistry working with the root of a tooth and the pulp; most common procedure performed by endodontists are root canals
26. Extreme Makeover Dentist: dentist who combines numerous cosmetic dental procedures to create a new smile for a patient
27. Fluoride: a natural chemical that can help prevent tooth decay; toothpastes and dental rinses containing fluoride can help establish
28. Full Mouth Rehabilitation: an advanced dental procedure working to correct bite positions and broken teeth; patients with TMJ are often a good candidate for the procedure
29. Gingival Contouring: a cosmetic dental procedure working with imperfections in the gums; results in a beautiful and aesthetic smile
30. Inlays: a restorative dental procedure for decay on the biting surface of teeth; very similar to a filling
31. Intra-oral Camera: captures a picture of a tooth’s exterior; helps patient’s see dental problems they may not have noticed before; allows the patient to have the same view of a tooth as the dentist
32. Invisalign: commonly called “invisible braces”; an orthodontic procedure using clear and removable teeth aligners instead of metal braces
33. Laser Teeth Whitening: quick and efficient cosmetic procedure performed in a dentist’s office; laser teeth whitening is often performed in one visit, and is much cleaner and more effective than take-home kits
34. Lumineers: cosmetic procedure for teeth that are chipped, discolored, or misaligned; thin sheathes of porcelain are placed over an existing tooth; similar to veneers, however the natural tooth is not removed
35. Metal Braces: traditional orthodontic treatment; metal brackets and wires are used to correct misaligned bites and teeth
36. Neuromuscular Dentistry: dentistry focusing on jaw misalignment; jaw misalignment can be the cause of other severe dental issues
37. Non-metal Fillings: an alternative dental filling option to metal amalgams; more natural and aesthetically pleasing; less damaging to the natural tooth
38. Onlays: a restorative dental procedure for decay on the biting surface of teeth; very similar to a filling, except it restores more than one cusp
39. Orthodontic Braces: orthodontic procedure used to correct bite, misaligned teeth, and/or help correct jaw issues
40. Orthodontics: specialty branch in dentistry that works to correct bites; most common orthodontic treatment is braces
41. Periodontal Laser Therapy: treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease, gingivitis, etc.) using specialized lasers; Simply explained, the laser emits a light that kills bacteria and disease from the infected area
42. Periodontal Plastic Surgery: a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the removal of infected or diseased gum tissue and the following cosmetic work of recreating an aesthetically pleasing smile.
43. Periodontics: special branch of dentistry that focuses on gums, and other tissues that support the tooth’s structure
44. Porcelain Veneers: a thin layer of porcelain ceramic that is bonded to an existing tooth; a cosmetic dental procedure that appears very natural and conceals discolored, misaligned, or misshaped teeth
45. Preventative Dentistry: dental care focusing on preventing cavities and disease; includes regular dental visits, regular brushing and flossing, and proper nutrition
46. Root Canal: an endodontic procedure where the pulp of a tooth is removed before the tooth needs to be extracted
47. Sedation Dentistry: a technique available for patients who may have high anxiety regarding dental treatments; different types of sedation dentistry are available depending on the dentist’s certification and patient’s preference.
48. Six Month Smiles: innovative orthodontic treatment to align teeth in six months; the system uses clear braces straighten teeth and perfect smiles
49. Smile Makeover: combination of cosmetic dental procedures to create a beautiful and confident smile
50. Take-home Teeth Whitening Kits: teeth whitening kits that are available for patients to take home with them; generally less expensive than an in-office procedure, however it is more time consuming; generally involve a system of trays and whitening gel applied daily
51. Teeth Whitening: cosmetic dental procedure involving the removal of stains and discoloration of teeth; a very popular and common cosmetic dental treatment
52. TMJ Dentistry: a specialty in dentistry focusing on temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a chronic and degenerative disease; TMJ is often the result of a poor bite, which dentists can examine and fix using orthodontics or other dental procedures
53. Tooth Extractions: a dental procedure involving the removal of a tooth; the reasons for an extraction vary, but teeth are most commonly extracted due to severe decay
54. Tooth Restoration: dental procedures performed to restore the functioning of a tooth; types of restorations include fillings, crowns, bridges, and veneers, in addition to others.
55. Tooth Shaping: a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which small portions of the enamel is removed to make a tooth appear more aesthetically pleasing
56. Zoom! Teeth Whitening System:Teeth whitening system that uses the patented Zoom! Teeth Whitening gel; the system is performed in-office by a trained dental specialist
