Have
you ever wondered what a dental procedure entails or a term means?
Quite frequently in other dental practices, patients undergo procedures
without fully knowing what's happening to them. We strive to avoid
that by discussing the procedure with you first, ensuring that you
completely understand and agree to it. In fact, we're providing this
informative section to you to help you understand the terms and procedures
we use in our office.
Bleaching
Bleaching
lightens stains or discoloration and can be performed on living
teeth or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
Bonding
Bonding
restores chipped, cracked, miscolored or misaligned teeth by
rebuilding the surface with a plastic or porcelain material.
Bridges
One
or more replacement teeth anchored by one or more crowns on each
side. Bridges are cemented into position and become permanent.
Calculus
Plaque
which is not removed by regular brushing and flossing can harden
into unsightly calculus (also called tartar). This crusty deposit
creates a cohesive bond that can only be removed by a dentist.
Calculus formation may also make it more difficult for you to
remove new plaque and bacteria. The prevention of calculus buildup
above the gumline has not been shown to have a therapeutic effect
on gum disease.
You
can help reduce the formation of calculus by:
•
Brushing with an ADA-accepted tartar/calculus control toothpaste.
•
Having your teeth cleaned professionally every six months, or
more frequently as recommended by your dentist or hygienist.
Crowns
When
a tooth is fractured, has a large, old filling, or is severely
damaged by decay, your dentist may recommend the placement of
a crown. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure
and can improve the appearance of your smile. Types of crowns
include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal
crown, and the all-metal crown.
Implants
Dental
implants can be an effective method to replace one tooth or several
teeth. Each implant consists of a metal anchor that is insserted
into the jawbone, and a protruding post, which is outfitted with
an artificial tooth. Implants can also support a bridge, replace
a partial denture or secure a fixed denture. The process requires
surgery and may take up to a year to complete.
Inlays
and Onlays
Tooth-colored
restorations that are used on the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth. They can be placed instead of silver fillings or to replace
existing silver fillings.
Oral
Irrigation
Directing
anti-microbial (anti-plaque) liquid below the gumline to flush
out and kill germs to allow the regeneration of healthy tissue.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics
correct crowded teeth, misaligned teeth, and bite problems in
children and adults.
Periodontal
Disease
"Periodontal" comes
from two Greek words that mean "around the tooth." Healthy
gum tissue and bone form the supporting foundation of each
tooth. Periodontal diseases are caused by bacterial infections
that
attack gums, ligaments, and bone. Although the body has some
natural defenses that resist bacterial attacks, these may not
fully protect gum and bone tissues from inflammation and infection.
There
are several kinds of periodontal disease. Often painless, these
diseases may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly, and
they can occur at any age. Unless you have regular dental checkups,
includinga periodontal exam, you may not be aware you have
a problem until your gums and bone have been seriously damaged.
Types
of Periodontal Diseases
Gingivitis: mild and often reversible, gingivitis
makes gums red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily.
It can usually be eliminated by daily brushing, cleaning between
teeth, and regular dental cleanings and checkups.
Periodontitis: Much more destructive and serious, this
desease destroys the tissues that anchor teeth into bone. The
gums detach from the teeth and form pockets. Exposed tooth roots
become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold and touch.
The tooth may eventually become loose in its socket and fall
out or require extraction.
Warning
Signs
• Gums that bleed easily.
•
Red, swollen or tender gums.
•
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
•
Pus between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed.
•
Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
•
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
•
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
•
Any changes in the fit of partial dentures.
Plaque
A
sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming
on teeth. Saliva, food, and fluids combine to produce these deposits
that collect on teeth and where teeth and gums meet.
Plaque
buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease.
Fighting plaque is a life-long component of oral care. It begins
forming on teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing which is why
it is so important to brush at least twice a day and floss
daily.
Root
Planing
Smoothing
rough root surfaces so the gum can heal. Local anesthesia may
be used.
Scaling
Cleaning
the teeth to remove deposits above and below the gumline.
Sensitive
Teeth
In
healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is protected by your
gums and your teeth's hard enamel shell. Microscopic holes in
the dentin, called tubules, connect back to the nerve triggering
pain when irritated by certain foods and beverages. Dentin can
be exposed by:
•
Receding gums caused
by improper brushing
or gum disease.
•
Fractured or chipped teeth.
•
Clenching or grinding your teeth.
Treatment
Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may recommend one
or more of the following treatments to relieve the symptoms of
sensitive teeth:
•
A soft-bristle toothbrush to protect gums.
•
A special toothpaste for sensitive teeth that can either block
access
to the nerve or insulate the nerve itself.
•
A flouride rinse or gel for sensitive teeth, prescribed by your
dentist.
Tartar
See Plaque
Veneers
(Porcelain Laminate)
Porcelain
laminate veneers bond custom-made tooth-shaped shells to correct
or camouflage discoloration, damage, or misalignment.
Wisdom
Teeth
Wisdom
teeth, or third molars, are the final teeth to develop. Most
of us have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth.
They usually emerge during our late teens or early twenties.
 Often
times, wisdom teeth become trapped, or impacted, in the jawbone
and cause crowding, displacement, decay, infection, or gum
disease. Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in many different directions — horizontally,
vertically, or at an angle. In most cases, it is recommended
that impacted wisdom teeth be extracted.
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