Dentists use lots of terms to describe parts of your mouth, dental procedures, and oral health issues, and many times those terms seem like a different language! While we can’t breakdown everything being said, we can share with you a few of the common ones you may hear while being treated at our office.
Abscess: This is one you may hear if you come in with tooth pain. An abscess is an inflammation that is usually secondary to an infection. It may include a collection of puss and/or swelling.
Anesthesia: Used to make procedures less painful, many dentists use local anesthesia to numb the area where the pain is likely to occur.
Basic Cleaning: A regularly scheduled treatment, a basic cleaning is a routine professional tooth cleaning to remove plaque build-up, tartar, and stains.
Bleaching: A procedure that whitens teeth using a bleaching solution.
Bonding: The use of tooth-colored plastic material applied with a special light that bonds the material to the tooth and improves smiles.
Bridge: Also known as a fixed partial denture, a bridge is an appliance that replaces missing teeth by securely attaching an artificial tooth to the natural teeth
Composite: The most common type of filling material.
Crown: A cover put over a tooth to help restore the tooth’s normal shape, size, and function.
Dental Prophylaxis: A scaling and polishing procedure used to remove plaque and stains.
Extraction: The act of removing a tooth or portions of a tooth.
Full-Mouth X-Ray: A series of films that reveal all of the teeth including, the crowns, roots, and alveolar bone.
Implant: an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into the jawbone and over time fuses to the bone of the jaw.
Mouthguard: A must for athletes, a mouth guard is a removable plastic device worn over teeth and gums.
Nightguard: A removable device worn over teeth at night to protect from damage due to clenching or bruxism.
Preventative Dentistry: Procedures and services administered to prevent oral diseases.
Prophylaxis: A dental cleaning that consists of the removal of plaque, stains, and calculus by scaling and polishing.
Radiograph: An image produced by projecting radiation. Also called an X-ray.
Retainer: This is a fixable or removable device worn to prevent teeth from shifting.
Sealants: Plastic resin placed on teeth to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel.
Veneer: Thin coverings placed over the front part of teeth made to look like natural teeth.
At Jackson Dental, we are committed to making sure that YOU know what is going on during YOUR treatment. If you have a question about anything that is happening or is going to happen, please ask our staff. We are happy to explain anything to you!