Abscess – area of localized pus formation

Bonding – application of tooth-coloured filling material (composite resin) to a tooth for repair/correction of fractures, wear, colour, or misalignment

Bridge (conventional) – a fixed prosthesis (doesn’t get taken out) used to replace missing teeth whereby adjacent teeth receive crowns and an artificial tooth is supported by the crowns

Bridge (Maryland) – a fixed prosthesis used to replace missing teeth whereby adjacent teeth receive metal supports to which an artificial tooth is attached; not as strong as a conventional bridge

Caries (tooth decay) – a bacterial process whereby bacteria ferment sugars available in food particles left on teeth into an acid which will demineralize the tooth resulting in a cavity

Crown – a tooth is recontoured and reduced in size by approximately 1mm or so to allow room for a crown to fit over top of the tooth to add strength as well as restore form and function to an otherwise weaker tooth

Crown Lengthening – a surgical procedure during which the gum and bone tissue is removed and recontoured to expose healthy tooth structure to allow restoration of a tooth

Dentures – a removeable acrylic prosthesis (can be taken out of the mouth) used to replace missing teeth

Gingivectomy – the removal of gum (gingival) tissue to create an area of self cleansing whereby infection has been removed; may also be done for cosmetic purposes

Gingivitis (gum disease) – inflammation of the gum tissue caused by the build up of plaque and calculus

Impacted tooth – a tooth which is blocked from full eruption by soft tissue, bone, or another tooth

Implant – a surgical procedure in which an anchor is placed within the bone, time allowed for healing and integration of the bone with the anchor, and a tooth then fitted to the anchor

Invisalign – orthodontic treatment which uses clear plastic trays to reposition teeth rather than using conventional brackets; applicable for minor to moderate orthodontics

Mouth Guard – a protective appliance worn by individuals who participate in contact sports or sports where damage to the teeth and jaw joint may be anticipated

Night Guard – a custom made appliance that is worn by individuals who grind or clench their teeth in order to protect their teeth and jaw joint during grinding or clenching

Orthodontics – the use of fixed or removeable applicances for the purpose of repositioning teeth and for changing jaw relationships

Periodontal disease – gum disease that has progressed to cause inflammation of deeper tissues including bone; pocketing of greater than 4mm

Plaque – loose food debris left behind on teeth colonized by bacteria; once plaque calcifies and hardens it is known as calculus

Post and Core – a procedure that occurs after a root canal if there is more than 50% loss of tooth structure; procedure involves placing a titanium post in the nerve canal to anchor the core (filling) in place

Root Canal – a procedure whereby infected and/or necrotic nerve tissue is removed from the nerve canal and replaced with a rubberized filling material

Root Planing – for patients with periodontal disease, a process whereby the roots surfaces are cleaned and smoothed to facilitate the reattachment of gum tissue

Scaling – removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above the gumline or just slightly below but above the root surface

Sealants – the preventative placement of a plastic coating to fill in deep grooves in teeth where decay may be prone to develop

Soft Tissue Management – a gum treatment program designed for patients with periodontal disease; involves deep cleaning possibly with freezing in multiple appointments, subgingival debridement with an antibacterial solution, and fluoride application; followed by a re-evaluation of the gum tissue in six weeks followed by a three month maintenance program

Space Maintainer – a fixed appliance designed to hold space for an adult tooth to erupt once a primary tooth is lost

Tooth surfaces
occlusal/incisal – the chewing surface of the tooth
mesial – the surface of the tooth closest to the midline
distal – the surface of the tooth closest to the back of the mouth
lingual – the inside surface of the tooth, closest to the tongue
buccal/facial – the outside surface of the tooth, closest to the cheek/lips

Veneer (porcelain) – a porcelain shell that can be cemented to the buccal portion of the tooth to restore teeth that are chipped, stained, or misaligned

Whitening – a cosmetic procedure done to whiten the teeth; when done using the procedure offered in the office, it involves the fabrication of custom whitening trays and then using a carbamide peroxide whitening gel; procedure can be done in 7 or 8 days at home or 1 hour in the office