A type of tooth filling made of silver and mercury. The metalic mixture is
initially soft so that it can be molded to fit the tooth and gradually
hardens. See alternatives: Gold, composites and porcelain.
Substances used to remove the effects of pain. General one of 4 types:
Topical Anesthesia, Local Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, and Neuroleptic
Anesthesia.
Similar to periapical X-rays except that only the crowns and part of the
roots are seen for 2 or 3 adjacent teeth. So called Bitewing because the
X-ray film holder provides a surface to bite down on and hold the X-ray
securely in place.
A Dentist that has been approved by the American Dental Society to practice
a particular specialty. Board certified dentists have demonstrated at least
two years of residency within a particular dental specialty and have been
certified to be competent in that specialty. Any dentist may claim specific
knowledge of any specialty, but a board certified dentist has passed an exam
demonstrating education and experience within a certain field of dentistry.
Same as tartar. Occurs when plaque is left on the teeth untreated. A hard
substance that acts an irritant by wedging between the tooth and gum. Left
untreated calculus can eventually lead to periodontal disease.
An alternative to Silver Amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are made
from a resin and particles that are mixed together and then given time to *
"cure"* and harden. The advantages of composite fillings is that they are
naturally white, can easily be colored to match the surrounding teeth, and
are relatively easy to install. Composite fillings are however less
biocompatiable than silver or gold and are generally not as strong as metal
fillings. Composite fillings are used more often on front teeth.
A chemical substance known to strengthen teeth enamel making teeth less
susceptable to decay. There are two ways fluoride makes its way to teeth:
ingestion through food or water; and topical application made directly to
the surface of the teeth by the dentist.
A class of Anesthesia substance or substances that are inhaled as gases.
General anethesia eliminates pain by rendering patients completely
unconscious. General anethesia must be administered by medical or dental
anesthesiologist, and oral surgeons with special training in a hospital or
office operating room. General anethesia is general used with oral surgery
or more complicated procedures where the patient must be relaxed and
painfree for an extended period of time. Complete recovery from general
anethesia often takes at least several hours.
Stage one of early periodontal disease characterized by inflammation,
swollen, reddish gum tissue which may bleed easily when touched or brushed.
Untreated, gingivitis can lead to chronic periodontal disease and the
stability of your teeth.
An alternative to Silver Amalgam fillings. Gold is longer lasting however
they are generally much more complicated, expensive and require multiple
visits. Gold is generally used as totally cast fillings which are cemented
into the mouth.
A tooth that is blocked by an adjacent tooth preventing it from erupting the
surface of the gum. An impacted tooth may push other teeth together or
damage the bony structures supporting the adjacent tooth. Often times,
impacted teeth must be surgically removed.
A class of Anesthesia substance applied by injection directly to the gums
or mouth tissue to provide pain relief to a local area of the mouth or gum.
Lidocain and prilocaine, and mepivacain are the most widely used. Dentists
often apply local anethesia to reduce the pain associated with general
dental procedures. The advantages are that the patient remains alert during
the procedure without the pain.
A class of Anesthesia substance applied intravenously. The degree of
anethesia can be controlled from slight consciousness to totally
unconscious. Fentanyl and droperidol combinations are most commonly used.
Dentists often apply Neuroleptic anethesia to reduce the pain associated
with any dental procedures. The advantages are that the degree of
unconsciousness and pain relief can be controlled and generally the recovery
time is much less than with general anethesia.
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As the name suggests, a type of X-ray where the X-ray machine makes a
complete half circle from ear to ear to produce a complete two dimensional
representation of all teeth.
X-rays providing complete side views from the roots to the crowns of the
teeth. Typically a complete set consists of 14-24 films with each tooth
appearing in two different films from two different angles.
A numeric assignment indicating the deepth of a periodontal probe which is
used to measure the depth between the teeth and the adjacent gums. The
larger the number, the larger the space and the more likely that periodontal
disease can or has occurred.
A sticky fairly transparent film that forms on the teeth or cracks of the
teeth primarily composed of undigested food particles mixed with saliva and
bacteria. Plaque left alone eventually turns in to tartar or calculus.
An alternative to Silver Amalgam fillings. Porcelain fillings are made of
the same material as china. Porcelain fillings and tooth replacement is
accomplished by hardening in a mold and then baked at an extremely high
temperature. The advantages of porcelain are similar to composites in that
they can be easily colore to match surrounding teeth. Porcelain is much
stronger and longer lasting than composite teeth replacement. The
disadvantages of porcelain is that the substance is brittle and typically
requires a highly skilled dental professional and multiple dental visits.
A four step process required when the inner pulp of the tooth is
irreversibly damaged. Step one involves removing all of the inner pulp from
the chamber of the tooth. Step two involves cleaning and smoothing the
inside of the tooth. Step three involves filling the tooth with an inert
material. Finally, an artificial crown is placed on top of the tooth.
Used with an otherwise healthy tooth has become loose due to advanced
periodontal disease. The loose tooth is wired to surrounding solid teeth
and a composite is added on top to hold the wire in place.
A class of Anesthesia substance applied directly to the gums or mouth tissue
to provide pain relief on the immediate surface of the tissue. Lidocain
and Benzocaine are the two most widely used. Dentists often apply topical
anethesia to reduce the pain associated with needle pricks required for the
application of a local anethesia or to reduce pain and discomfort of mild
infections or irritations on the gum or in the mouth.
Temporalmandibular Joint (TMJ) /Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The
temporalmandibular joint is a complicated joint formed where the lower jaw
bone attaches to the head. TMD refers to general class of disorder
affecting the bones and muscles of this region. Symptoms range from
tenderness and swelling to headaches and neck and back aches. Generally, a
clicking or popping sound when the jaw is opened or closed is evidence or
some form of one of the disorders.
Same as Vincent's Infection and Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG).
An acute and painful infection of the gums not contagious with a odor and
painful bleeding of the mouth and gums.
High frequency light (or radiation) which pentrate different substances with
different rates and absorbtion. By using film on the opposite side of the
substance, different level of exposure are recorded corresponding to each of
the different substances to form a picture. In dentistry, there are
typically 4 types of X-rays: Periapical, Bite-wing, Occlusal, Panoramic.