Phoenix Dentistry | Glendale Dentist

Abfractions

Defects at the gum line of teeth caused by the loss of tooth structure due to the pressure created by clenching and bruxism.

Abrasion

Tooth wear caused by forces other than chewing such as holding objects between the teeth or improper brushing.

Abutment

A tooth (or implant) that supports a dental prosthesis such as a bridge or denture.

Abutment Crown

Artificial crown serving for the retention or support of a dental prosthesis.

Amalgam

An alloy containing mercury used in direct dental restorations.

Local Anesthesia:

The loss of pain sensation over a specific area of the anatomy without loss of consciousness.

Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation:

A medically controlled state of depressed consciousness while maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It includes administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s) by a route other than IV; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and appropriate monitoring.

Bitewing radiographs

X-rays used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as they bite down.

Bleaching (Teeth Whitening)

A cosmetic dental procedure that whitens the teeth using a bleaching solution containing some form of hydrogen peroxide.

Bonding

A composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and/or color. Bonding also refers to how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.

Bruxism

Constant grinding or clenching of teeth during the day or more commonly while asleep which can create significant wear to teeth.

Build Up

The addition of material to broken down teeth where inadequate structure remains to support a restoration. In most cases composite is added via adhesive or mechanical retention.

Calculus

Hard deposit of mineralized plaque adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth removed during dental cleanings.

Cavity

Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion caused by bacteria.

Clenching

The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological stress, physical effort, or a bad bite.

Composite

A dental restorative tooth-colored material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).

Conscious Sedation

A state in which patients are awake and can breathe and swallow on their own but are less aware of what is taking place.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Practice of dentistry dedicated to the creation and enhancement of optimal smiles. Employs non-metal restorations and adhesive bonding systems to produce esthetic results not possible with traditional dentistry.

Crown

Restoration covering or replacing the major part, or the whole of the clinical crown of a tooth;

Crown Lengthening

A surgical procedure exposing more tooth for restorative purposes by apically positioning the gingival margin and/or removing supporting bone.

Cusp

The pointed portion of the tooth.

Decay

The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure.

Dental Prophylaxis

Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.

Dental Prosthesis

An artificial device that replaces one or more missing teeth.

Dental Specialist

A dentist who has received postgraduate training in one of the recognized dental specialties.

DDS- Doctor of Dental Surgery

DMD- Doctor of Medical Dentistry

Dentin

That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum.

Denture

An artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent tissues.

Digital X-rays

Latest technology to produce high quality radiographs with 60-90% less radiation than traditional methods. Displayed on a computer screen instantly, digital allows immediate viewing by patients and dental staff.

Direct Restoration

A restoration fabricated inside the mouth.

Enamel

Hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth.

Endodontist

A dental specialist who limits his/her practice to treating disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions, i.e. root canals.

Erosion

Wearing down of tooth structure, caused by chemicals (acids) and is common in eating disorders.

Extraction

The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts.

Filling

A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain.

Fixed Partial Denture (Bridge)

A fixed partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or implant abutments adjacent to the space.

Fracture

The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.

Full-Mouth X-Rays

A combination of 14 or more periapical and 4 bitewing films of the back teeth. This series of x-rays reveals all the teeth (their crowns and roots) and the alveolar bone around them.

Gingiva

Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and encircling the necks of those that have erupted.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective tissue.

Gingivectomy

The excision or removal of gingiva.

Gingivoplasty

Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.

Graft

A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency in gum or bone tissue.

Gum Lift

The removal of gingival tissue with a diode laser. An important adjunct to cosmetic dentistry used to even the smile line, lengthen short teeth and reduce a gummy smile.

Immediate Denture

Removable prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal of remaining natural teeth.

Dental Implant

A device specially designed to be placed surgically within or on the mandibular or maxillary bone as a means of providing for dental replacement; endosteal (endosseous); eposteal (subperiosteal); transosteal (transosseous).

Inlay

An indirect intracoronal restoration; a dental restoration made outside of the oral cavity to correspond to the form of the prepared cavity, which is then luted into the tooth.

Laser Gum Treatment

Use of a diode laser to remove infected granulation tissue from a periodontal pocket. Additional settings sterilize the pocket to promote healing not possible with traditional scaling.

Lumineers

Feldspathic veneers made by the Den-Mart Corporation. Direct marketed to patients promising a no prep technique. Limited in scope of use as many cosmetic cases require preparation for the best result.

Malocclusion

Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.

Maryland Bridge

A type of fixed partial denture not requiring crowns. The prosthesis is bonded to the natural teeth to secure it.

Mouthguard

Device that fits over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth, mouth or lips. May also refer to a device that prevents tooth grinding or treats temporomandibular disorders (nightguard).

Neuromuscular Dentistry

A philosophy of dental rehabilitation and occlusion which believes the bite position should be where the masticatory muscles are in optimal function. Differs from traditional dentistry which believes the bite position should be determined by joint position (centric relation vs. neuromuscular position). NMD employs technology such as TENS, computerized scans and EMG’s to analyze a patient’s bite and muscle health.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A disorder in which breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep. Can be treated by a variety of oral appliances.

Occlusion

Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.

Onlay

An indirect restoration made outside the oral cavity that overlays a cusp or cusps of the tooth, which is then luted to the tooth. May be made of metal, porcelain, or composite

Overdenture

A removable prosthetic device that overlies and may be supported by retained tooth roots or implants. Preferable to the traditional due to increased retention and stability of bone long term for denture support.

Periodontal

Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues and/or periodontal membrane of the teeth, resulting in an abnormally deep gingival sulcus, possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss of supporting alveolar bone.

Periodontal Pocket

Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a feature of periodontal disease.

Periodontitis

Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue of the supporting or surrounding structure of teeth with loss of attachment.

Plaque

A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives.

Post

An elongated projection fitted and cemented within the prepared root canal, serving to strengthen and retain restorative material and/or a crown restoration.

Precision Attachment

Interlocking device, one component of which is fixed to an abutment or abutments and the other is integrated into a fixed or removable prosthesis in order to stabilize and/or retain it.

Premedication

The use of medications prior to dental procedures, such as antibiotics for various medical conditions.

Prophylaxis

Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus and stains.

Pulp

Connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth.

Radiograph

An image produced by projecting radiation, as x-rays, on photographic film. Commonly called x-ray.

Removable Partial Denture

A removable partial denture (removable bridge) is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth that can be removed by the patient. Held in place by clasps or attachments to existing teeth.

Root Canal

The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp. Portion of the tooth treated by endodontic therapy.

Root Canal Therapy

The treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.

Root Plane

A procedure designed to remove microbial flora, bacterial toxins, calculus, and diseased cementum or dentin on the root surfaces and in the pocket. Therapy beyond a normal dental prophyloxis. Can be accompanied by laser therapy.

Scaling

Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.

Sealants

Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel and causing caries.

Splint

A device used to support, protect, or immobilize oral structures that have been loosened, replanted, fractured or traumatized. Also refers to devices used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Temporomandibular (TMJ)

The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction, especially muscle symptoms.

Veneer

In the construction of crowns or pontics, a layer of tooth-colored material, usually, but not limited to, composite, porcelain, ceramic or acrylic resin, attached to the surface by direct fusion, cementation, or mechanical retention; more commonly refers to a porcelain restoration that is luted to the facial surface of a tooth to change its appearance in cosmetic procedures.

Mac Veneers

Custom cosmetic restorations created by MicroDental Laboratories in Dublin, CA. One of the most respected and leading edge dental laboratories in the world.

Dentistry

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, and Glendale, Arizona

Dental Definitions