Author: Adam R. Pershing, DMD

We strive to provide you with informative and helpful content related to all things dental. We understand that the world of dentistry can be overwhelming at times, especially with all the unfamiliar terminology and procedures. That’s why we’ve created this glossary to serve as a resource for our patients, providing definitions of commonly used dental terms. Our goal is to help you feel more comfortable and informed when it comes to your dental care.

A

Amalgam – Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth.
Anesthesia – Medications used to relieve pain.
Anterior teeth – Front teeth. Also called incisors and cuspids.
Arch – The upper or lower jaw.

B

Baby bottle tooth decay – Caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s mouth.
Bicuspids -A premolar tooth; tooth with two cusps, which are pointed or rounded eminences on or near the masticating surface of a tooth.
Bitewings – X-rays that help a dentist diagnose cavities.
Bonding – Application of tooth-colored resin materials to the surface of the teeth.
Bridge – A prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or otherwise attached to the abutment teeth or implant replacements.
Bruxism – Teeth grinding.

C

Calculus – A hard deposit of mineralized substance adhering to crowns and/or roots of teeth or prosthetic devices.
Canal – The narrow chamber inside the tooth’s root.
Canines – Also called cuspids.
Canker sore – One that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. A canker sore is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red exterior border.
Caries – A commonly used term for tooth decay, or cavities.
Cold sore – Usually occurs on the outside of the mouth, usually on or near the nose or lips. A cold sore is contagious because it is caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it is usually painful and filled with fluid.
Composite filling – Tooth colored restorations, also known as resin fillings.
Composite resin – A tooth colored resin combined with silica or porcelain and used as a restoration material.
Contouring – The process of reshaping teeth.
Crown – An artificial tooth replacement that restores missing tooth structure by surrounding the remaining coronal tooth structure. It is also placed on a dental implant.
Cusps – The pointed parts on top of the back teeth’s chewing surface.
Cuspids – Front teeth that typically have a protruding edge.

D

Dentin – The tooth layer underneath the enamel.
Denture – A removable set of teeth.

E

Endodontics – A form of dentistry that addresses problems affecting the tooth’s root or nerve.

F

Fluoride – Fluoride is often called nature’s cavity fighter and for good reason. Fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay.
Fluorosis – A harmless over-exposure to fluoride and resulting sometimes in tooth discoloration.

G

Gingiva – Another word for gum tissue.
Gingivitis – A minor disease of the gums caused by plaque.
Gum disease – An infection of the gum tissues. Also called periodontal disease.

I

Impacted teeth – A condition in which a tooth fails to erupt or only partially erupts.
Implant – A permanent appliance used to replace a missing tooth.
Incisor – Front teeth with cutting edges; located in the center or on the sides near the front.
Inlay – An artificial filling made of various materials, including porcelain, resin, or gold.

L

Laminate veneer – A shell that is bonded to the enamel of a front tooth. The shell is usually thin and made from porcelain resin.

M

Malocclusion – Bad bite relationship.
Mandible – The lower jaw.
Maxilla – The upper jaw.
Molar – Usually the largest teeth, near the rear of the mouth. Molars have large chewing surfaces.

N

Neuromuscular Dentistry – Addresses more than the aches and pains felt in and around the neck and head that are associated with your teeth and jaw.

O

Onlay – A filling designed to protect the chewing surface of a tooth.
Orthodontics – A field of dentistry that deals with tooth and jaw alignment.
Overdenture – A non-fixed dental appliance applied to a small number of natural teeth or implants.

P

Palate – Roof of the mouth.
Partial denture – A removable appliance that replaces missing teeth.
Pediatric Dentistry – A field of dentistry that deals with children’s teeth
Perio pocket – An opening formed by receding gums.
Periodontal disease – Infection of the gum tissues. Also called gum disease.
Periodontist – A dentist who treats diseases of the gums.
Permanent teeth – The teeth that erupt after primary teeth. Also called adult teeth.
Plaque – A sticky, colorless substance that covers the teeth after sleep or periods between brushing.
Posterior teeth – The bicuspids and molars. Also called the back teeth.
Primary teeth – A person’s first set of teeth. Also called baby teeth or temporary teeth.
Prophylaxis – The act of cleaning the teeth.
Prosthodontics – The field of dentistry that deals with artificial dental appliances.
Pulp – The inner tissues of the tooth containing blood, nerves and connective tissue.

R

Receding gum – A condition in which the gums separate from the tooth, allowing bacteria and other substances to attack the tooth’s enamel and surrounding bone.
Resin filling – An artificial filling used to restore teeth. Also called a composite filling.
Root canal – A procedure in which a tooth’s nerve is removed and an inner canal cleansed and later filled.
Root planing – Scraping or cleansing of teeth to remove heavy buildup of tartar below the gum line.

S

Sealant – A synthetic material placed on the tooth’s surface that protects the enamel and chewing surfaces.

T

TMJ – Temporomandibular joint disorder. Health problems related to the jaw joint just in front of the ear.
Tarter – A hardened substance (also called calculus) that sticks to the tooth’s surface.

V

Veneer – A laminate applied or bonded to the tooth.

W

Whitening – A process that employs special bleaching agents for restoring the color of teeth.
Wisdom tooth – Third set of molars that erupt last in adolescence.

hen you lose a tooth, it affects not just the appearance, but the function of your smile.

• It can be difficult to eat or speak naturally
• Extra stress is put on your remaining teeth
• You’re at greater risk for developing gum disease
• Your remaining teeth can shift out of position, causing bite problems
• The shape of your face and jaw can change over time

A bridge is a restoration which will help you maintain your oral health while making your smile complete again.

Bridges use prosthetic teeth to “bridge” the gaps caused by missing teeth. These false teeth are known as pontics, and are crafted from metal, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. Pontics can be matched in size, shape, and color to the teeth they are replacing for a natural appearance. A bridge can replace up to four teeth but is typically used to replace one or two.

There are four common types of bridges, and the type of bridge which is best for you will depend on your preferences, your oral health, the location and number of missing teeth, cost, and other factors. Because a bridge requires healthy teeth, gums, and bone for a long-lasting and successful restoration, any dental problems will need to be treated beforehand.

Traditional Bridge

Traditional bridges are fixed in place and are anchored by crowns placed on the healthy teeth on each side of the gap. First, the two supporting teeth, known as abutment teeth, are prepared for crowns. This requires removing part of the tooth structure and creating an impression of each tooth. Crowns are created from these impressions and are attached on each side of the artificial tooth, creating the bridge. The crowns are then cemented to the prepared teeth, securing the entire bridge unit in place.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is used when there aren’t teeth available on both sides of the missing tooth to serve as abutment teeth. In this case, a healthy tooth on one side of the gap can be fitted with a crown to hold a single pontic. Because the pontic is only attached on one side, cantilever bridges aren’t recommended for the rear of the jaw, where chewing forces are much more powerful and the extra stress can damage the abutment tooth over time.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge is a more conservative treatment than a traditional bridge because there is no need for crowns to hold the bridge in place. A pontic is created with two wings made of resin, porcelain, or metal attached to its back. These wings are then bonded to the backs of the two abutment teeth. This type of fixed bridge is often used to replace one or two front teeth; it’s not strong enough to replace molars. Because no crowns are necessary, a Maryland bridge is generally more cost effective than other options.

Implant-Supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge is a bridge attached to dental implants. Posts are surgically implanted in the jawbone, and, over a period of months, fuse with the bone, providing an exceptionally strong foundation for a bridge. The number of implants needed will depend on the location of the bridge (upper or lower jaw), the number of pontics, and the quantity and density of the bone.

Once the implant posts have healed and are well-integrated into the jawbone, metal or ceramic abutments are secured to the posts. The bridge is then secured to these abutments. The bridge can be fixed or removable for easier cleaning.

While this type of bridge is often the most expensive option, implant-supported bridges help protect jawbone health. Without the stimulation of biting and chewing, the bone ridge under a missing tooth begins to lose density and shrink. Implants stimulate bone tissue just as natural teeth do to preserve bone strength and density.

You have many options for replacing a lost tooth. Your dentist can help you determine which type of bridge is best suited to restore your healthy, confident smile.

Is it snoring or sleep apnea?

Snoring occurs when soft tissues in the throat area relax during sleep, partially blocking airways and vibrating with the passage of air. It’s this vibration which causes that distinctive snoring sound. If you’re one of the millions of people who snore, you know how those nocturnal noises can interfere with your peaceful sleep and the sleep of those around you.

Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. The word “apnea” is derived from the Greek word for “breathless.” When you suffer from sleep apnea, you briefly stop breathing during sleep.

Your body responds by waking every time you need to begin breathing properly again, often causing you to choke or gasp for breath. This cycle can repeat dozens of times per hour. While you may think you’ve slept through the night, you have never gotten the deep sleep your body needs to restore itself mentally and physically.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by an obstructed airway. The throat muscles may relax as you sleep, making it impossible to inhale fully with each breath. Obstruction can also be caused by a physical condition such as a deviated septum, excess throat tissue or enlarged tongue or tonsils. The size and position of your jaw can affect your breathing as well.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles which control breathing. Sleepers with CSA either stop breathing momentarily or take such shallow breaths that they can’t get sufficient air into their lungs.

Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex sleep apnea combines features of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

While men are more likely to develop this condition, sleep apnea can affect anyone. Factors such as obesity, increasing age, alcohol use, certain medications and drugs, medical conditions, and a family history of sleep apnea can also increase the risk of developing OSA and CSA.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Life

You (or your partner) may suspect sleep apnea if your sleep is interrupted by frequent loud snoring, choking, or snorting sounds, or if you appear to stop breathing or wake up short of breath throughout the night.

Sleep apnea affects your waking life as well. You might feel frequent daytime drowsiness or fatigue. You could have difficulty falling asleep at night or fall asleep involuntarily during the day. You might experience morning headaches or a sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up. Your quality of life can suffer, as insufficient sleep can lead to:

• Moodiness
• Frustration
• Depression
• Decreased libido
• Memory problems
• Inability to focus

If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, you should seek prompt treatment. Sleep apnea can seriously impact health, and has been linked to an increased risk of:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Dangerous reactions to medications
• Dangerous reaction to general anesthesia
• Accidents and injuries caused by fatigue and slower reaction time

What kind of treatments are available?

Treatments ranging from behavior modification to surgery are tailored to the cause and the severity of your sleep apnea:

• Behavior modification: Losing weight, abstaining from alcohol, changing sleep position, and monitoring medications that affect sleep can be effective in mild cases of OSA.
• Oral appliances: These comfortable, custom-fitted devices can advance the jaw or hold the tongue forward to maximize airway space.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines: For those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, PAP machines provide pressurized air through a tube attached to a mask, delivering a gentle flow of air to keep airways open through the night.
• Surgery: Surgical procedures can remove or reduce the obstructions causing OSA. Medical implants have been successful in treating both OSA and CSA for patients who qualify for these treatments.

If you suspect your snoring is something more than a nightly nuisance, ask your dentist or doctor for a referral to a sleep apnea specialist. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help you enjoy the restorative sleep you need for healthier days and healthier nights.

While you’re living your active life, be sure to protect your smile. A mouthguard is essential safety gear whenever you participate in any sport or activity that could lead to dental trauma.

Oral and dental injuries are very common for athletes, and often these injuries can be prevented or reduced with a mouthguard. Mouthguards are designed to absorb and distribute the force of impact on teeth, jaw joints, and jaws. Mouthguards help prevent cuts and lacerations to the gums, lips, inner cheeks, and tongue.

That’s why the American Dental Association recommends wearing a mouthguard for, among other activities, baseball, basketball, boxing, cycling, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, softball, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.

In fact, if you participate in any sport or activity with the potential for collision with hard surfaces, equipment, or other bodies, you should wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is doubly effective if you wear braces, because in case of impact it protects your braces and also shields the inside of your mouth from contact with brackets and wires.

Types of Mouthguards

Choose a mouthguard that provides effective protection, fits comfortably, and allows you to breathe and speak easily. There are three common options available:

Stock Mouthguards

Stock appliances can be found at sporting goods stores and drugstores. These are the most affordable option, but, because they are pre-formed, with a narrow range of sizes, they may not give you an ideal fit.

Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

This type of over-the-counter mouthguard generally provides a better fit than a stock guard can. The guard is heated first to soften it, and then, after cooling, the user bites down and molds the mouthguard to the teeth and mouth.

Custom Mouth Guards

Your dentist can create a mouthguard specifically for you. While they are more expensive, custom mouthguards are the most effective, durable, and comfortable guards available. With less overall thickness and a precise fit, a dentist-fabricated guard makes both talking and breathing easier while you’re exercising.

Caring for Your Mouthguard

A mouthguard can’t protect you unless it’s worn consistently, and it won’t protect you effectively unless it’s cared for properly.

Keep Your Mouthguard Clean

If you don’t clean your mouthguard as recommended, plaque, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms can collect on your guard and in your case, especially when the guard is put away damp. Keep your mouthguard clean, healthy, and odor-free by rinsing it after use and brushing daily with a soft toothbrush. Let it dry before returning your guard to a clean, dry case. Ask your dentist about cleaning tips for your specific mouthguard.

Protect Your Mouthguard

When your mouthguard isn’t in your mouth, it should be in its case. Sharp edges on cracked or broken guards can damage soft tissues. Don’t chew your guard because this can break it. Be careful where you leave your mouthguard because hot water, hot surfaces, and sunlight can warp it.

Replace Your Mouthguard as Needed

A mouthguard which doesn’t fit properly doesn’t protect properly. If your mouthguard is showing signs of wear, it’s probably time to replace it. If your mouthguard is broken or warped, don’t try to trim or repair it yourself. Your dentist can tell you if your guard is working effectively or needs repair or replacement.

Your smile deserves the best protection you can provide. Talk to your dentist about how a mouthguard can help you enjoy your active life to the fullest.

Missing teeth impact not only appearance, but oral health as well. If you’ve lost some or all of your teeth because of trauma, periodontal infection, or decay, dentures are one of the options which can offer you a healthier, more attractive smile. Full or partial dentures:

• Make eating and chewing easier
• Facilitate clearer speech
• Provide support for cheeks and lips for a healthier, more youthful appearance
• In the case of partial dentures, prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place
• Restore self-confidence
• Create a natural-looking smile

Your dentist will examine your gums, jawbone, and remaining teeth to determine whether dentures are your best option for tooth replacement, and which type of full or partial denture will best suit your needs. Custom dentures are individually crafted in specialized labs in a variety of different materials. Suitability, durability, aesthetic, and cost considerations can all be factors in your decision.

Full Dentures

Full dentures replace all of the teeth on the upper and/or lower jaw. For all types of full dentures, detailed impressions and measurements will be taken of your gums and mouth to create an ideal fit. The way your jaws work together will be evaluated to ensure that your dentures won’t affect your bite. Your dentist will also consider the shape of your face and your lips for a natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing smile.

Conventional Dentures

Conventional full dentures are created after the gums and jawbone have healed post-extraction, which usually requires several months. Temporary dentures can be used during the healing period.

Immediate Dentures

These dentures are fabricated in advance before any necessary extractions occur, and can be placed right away, without waiting for the gums and bone to heal. Because the gums and jawbone can shrink after tooth loss, it might take several months of adjustments to create the most comfortable fit. Immediate dentures are often used as a temporary denture.

Implant Supported Dentures

Dental implants are first surgically placed in the jawbone where they fuse with the bone over a period of months. Once the implants are secure, removable dentures are fabricated which clip onto the implants. (Fixed dentures are also an option, attached to the implants using special screws which can only be removed by a dentist.) This type of denture is very secure, and, because implants stimulate jawbone tissue like natural tooth roots do, helps prevent bone loss.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Most of them require healthy adjacent teeth for secure placement. Unlike bridges, which are fixed permanently to adjacent teeth, partial dentures are removable, and are held in place with different types of attachments:

Clasp Attachments

A common form of partial denture has a metal clasp attached to the end of the denture that fits snugly around a supporting tooth, holding it securely in place. These clasps are sometimes visible when speaking or smiling.

Precision Attachments

Small interlocking metal parts on both the partial denture and the adjacent teeth connect together for an unobtrusive, secure fit. These dentures might require crowns for the adjacent teeth and can be more expensive than clasp attachments.

Flexible Partial Dentures

Made of thermoplastic material, flexible dentures use translucent, gum-colored extensions that discreetly fit around the base of the teeth near the gumline.

Implant-Supported Partial Dentures

Partial dentures use stud or clip attachments to hold the denture securely to the dental implants.

Denture Care

Dentures, like natural teeth, require daily care. Your dentist can recommend the type of cleaning routine, soft brush, non-abrasive cleaner, and soaking solution which is best for removing any plaque and bacteria which build up on the denture.

Any discomfort or any damage to the appliance should be reported to your dentist at once. Keep up with regular dental checkups to make sure your denture is fitting properly and that your gums and other oral tissues are healthy.

Whether you choose dentures, bridges, or implants, replacing missing teeth restores the function and transforms the appearance of your smile. To discover if dentures are the best choice for you, discuss your questions, concerns, and options with your dentist.

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” has been used in dental procedures since the 19^th century. Modern nitrous oxide sedation is a safe, popular, and effective option for patients who experience mild to moderate dental anxiety.

Nitrous oxide provides the lightest form of dental sedation, called “conscious sedation.” Patients remain awake, relaxed, and able to communicate and respond to instructions.

The nitrous oxide delivery system provides a precise mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases. The gas is inhaled through a facemask and begins to work immediately. The level of sedation is monitored throughout the procedure to make sure the patient stays relaxed and free from pain. Once the dental procedure is complete, pure oxygen is administered, and recovery takes place within minutes.

One of the advantages of choosing nitrous oxide sedation is this convenient recovery time. With pills or IV sedation, you might need several hours before and after the procedure both to allow the sedation to take effect and to recover when you’re done. You should also have someone available to drive you to and from the appointment.

Nitrous oxide, on the other hand, is used only for the duration of your procedure, takes effect right away, and begins leaving your system as soon as you stop inhaling it. You will be able to resume your normal activities almost immediately.

Your dental experience should be as relaxing and stress-free as possible. Talk to your dental team about the types of sedation available, and they will work with you to decide on the best possible option. If you have mild to moderate levels of anxiety, wish to remain awake and relaxed throughout your visit, and prefer a rapid recovery period, nitrous oxide could be the ideal sedation choice for you.