Oral health definitions for non-dentists

• Amalgam - Silver-colored filling material; may also be referred to as a restoration or filling.
• Bitewings - X-rays of the top and bottom molars and pre-molars to show decay between teeth or under fillings.
• Bridge - A non-removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth with false teeth and attaches to healthy teeth.
• Calculus (Tartar) - Hardened plaque on teeth, requiring scaling to remove.
• Caries - Cavities and decay.
• Complete Mouth Survey - (CMS) Multiple X-rays taken of the entire dental structure. For an adult, approximately 16-21 films.
• Composite - A tooth colored filling material; also referred to as a filling.
• Cosmetic Dentistry - Beautifying teeth and smile through bleaching, bonding, closing spaces, and improving appearance of teeth.
• Crown - A gold or porcelain cap that covers a tooth
• Edentulous - Having no teeth.
• Endodontics - Department/process providing root canal treatment for teeth with diseased pulp.
• Gingiva - Gums.
• Gingivitis - Inflammation of the gum tissue; common reversible gum disease that occurs when plaque is not removed.
• Impacted - Describes a tooth not visible above the gum line.
• Implant - An artificial tooth substitute, surgically implanted in the bone.
• Inlays - A gold, porcelain or composite filling placed within the cusps of the tooth.
• Occlusal - The chewing or grinding surface of a tooth.
• Onlays - Porcelain or gold restorations covering at least one cusp of the tooth.
• Operative Dentistry - Department providing fillings, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry.
• Oral Pathology - Study of diseases and pain of mouth and jaw.
• Oral Surgery - Department where extractions of teeth are performed as well as general surgical procedures in the jaws, and lower facial area.
• Orthodontics - Department providing bands (braces) for straightening teeth.
• Partial - (RPD; Removable partial denture) Removable replacement for missing teeth that rests on the gums with clasps that attach to remaining teeth.
• Pediatric Dentistry - Department providing dentistry for children under the age of 16.
• Periodontics - Department providing treatment for gum disease and resulting bone loss.
• Plaque - Soft deposits of bacteria and debris that collect on teeth.
• Pocket - Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth where bacteria can enter, causing gum disease.
• Preventive Dentistry - Teeth cleaning and instruction to prevent gum disease.
• Prophylaxis - Prophy; a basic teeth cleaning.
• Prosthesis - A cemented or removable replacement for missing teeth.
• Prosthodontics - Department where crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures are made.
• Pulpitis - An infection of the nerve inside a tooth.
• Pulpotomy - Removal of only the pulp tissue in the crown of the tooth, an endodontic procedure.
• Radiographs - X-rays.
• Recall - Appointment for a patient who is returning for maintenance or follow up care.
• Restoration - Filling used to restore the tooth.
• Root Canal Therapy - (RCT, endodontic therapy) Removal of the nerve inside a tooth and subsequent filling of this space.
• Scaling and Root Planing - Cleaning teeth to remove calculus and plaque above and below the gum line.
• Third Molars (wisdom teeth) - The last teeth to come into the mouth.
• Treatment Plan - A list of procedures and related costs recommended to treat patient’s dental needs.
• Veneer - A porcelain facing placed on an anterior tooth.