Topics

• Teeth
• Endodontics
• Pedodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Restorations
  

Teeth

Bicuspids/premolars: The teeth with two rounded points located between the eye teeth (cuspids) and the molars.

Centrals/laterals: The four front teeth.

Cusp: The pointed or rounded part of a tooth's biting surface.

Cuspids: The teeth near the front of the mouth that come to a single point. Sometimes called the "eye teeth" or "canines."

Molars: Teeth with a broad chewing surface for grinding food, located in the back of the mouth.

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Endodontics
Treatment of the root and nerve of the tooth.

Periapical: The area surrounding the end of a tooth root.

Post and core: An anchor placed in the tooth root following a root canal to strengthen the tooth and help hold a crown (cap) in place.

Pulp: The blood vessels and nerve tissue inside a tooth.

Root canal treatment: The removal of the pulp tissue of a tooth due to decay or injury.

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Pedodontics
The dental specialty devoted to the treatment of children.

Nursing bottle syndrome: Severe decay in baby teeth due to sleeping with a bottle of milk or juice. The drink's natural sugars combine with bacteria in the mouth to produce acid that decays teeth.

Pedodontist/pediatric dentist: A specialist who treats children from birth through adolescence.

Sealant: A thin plastic material used to cover the biting surface of a child's tooth to prevent tooth decay.

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Periodontics
Treatment of gums, tissue and bone that supports the teeth.

Gingivitis: An inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth caused by a buildup of plaque or food particles.

Periodontitis/gum disease: Chronic inflammation and destruction of supporting bone and tissue membrane around the roots of teeth.

Root planing: A treatment of periodontal disease that involves scraping the roots of a tooth to remove bacteria and tartar.

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Prosthodontics
Replacement of missing teeth with artificial materials, such as a bridge or denture.

Bridges: Nonremovable tooth replacements attached to adjoining natural teeth when one or a few teeth are missing.

Dentures: Removable artificial teeth in a plastic base that rests directly on the gums. A denture may be complete or partial depending on the number of missing natural teeth.

Pontic: The portion of a dental bridge that replaces missing teeth.

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Restorations
Replacement of missing or damaged tooth structure with artificial materials.

Amalgam: A silver filling. Used for more than a century, amalgam fillings are proven to be safe, cost-effective and durable.

Cast restoration: A procedure that uses a model of the tooth (an impression) to make a casting which replaces missing parts. Example: a crown.

Crown/jacket/cap: The artificial covering of a tooth with metal, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns cover teeth weakened by decay or severely damaged or chipped.

Inlay: A solid filling cast to fit the missing portion of the tooth and cemented into place. An onlay covers one or more tooth cusps.

Resin/composite: Tooth-colored filling material used primarily for front teeth. Although cosmetically superior, it is generally less durable than other materials.

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