Dental Glossary

The term All-on-4® – also called All‐on‐Four or All‐in‐Four – refers to potentially ‘all’ adult teeth (to a maximum of 28) being supported on four dental implants, which is considered to be a total rehabilitation or full mouth restoration. The four implants support a fixed prosthesis with 10 to 14 teeth, and it is implanted immediately, typically within 24 hours of surgery. Our team of dental specialists would be pleased to provide more information.

A dental arch is either the top or bottom set of teeth. More specifically, the “dental arch” refers to the curved shape that the teeth are aligned in the mouth. You will hear us use the terms “upper arch” or “lower arch” when talking about the set of teeth on either the uppers and the lowers.

An abscess is a severe, enclosed infection. When bacteria cause deep decay in a tooth, they can travel through the tooth pulp and into the supporting bone, causing an infection. Your body’s response to this infection is to send white blood cells to the area to fight off the bacteria. The accumulation of dead white blood cells and bacteria on this battlefield results in swelling and pus, the hallmarks of an abscess.

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Called a pontic in the dental world, a dental bridge, as they pertain to dental implants, is a false tooth held in place through abutment teeth placed on either side of a gap. If a patient is missing more than one tooth, a dental bridge is likely a better option than an implant alone. Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant and filling the gap to help a person restore their bite, improve their smile, and enhance oral health.

“Bruxism” is the professional term for teeth grinding. Since grinding usually occurs while people sleep, they are often unaware they grind their teeth. However, a sore jaw or a constant, dull headache upon waking is a telltale sign of bruxism.

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Dental bonding is when the dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to repair a chipped, decayed, discolored, or fractured tooth

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A dental crown is a device used to cap a tooth. It covers the tooth to improve its appearance, strength, and usability. A crown is cemented on and can be considered semi-permanent.

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Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure performed by a dentist to adjust and expose the gum and bone to restore a greater amount of the tooth structure.

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Dental caries is reported to be one of the oldest and most common diseases found in humans. Dental caries, also known as cavities or tooth decay, are permanent damage to the hard surface of your teeth. They develop into tiny openings or holes.

A dental implant is the next best thing to having your own permanent teeth. An implant is the placement of an artificial root into your jaw, to hold a replacement tooth – called the crown – in place. The implant mimics the shape of the root and is usually made of titanium and other materials that are well-suited to the human body, as you will see in the article below.

A dental prosthesis can refer to a wide range of things, including bridges, dentures, crowns, and implants. These items can be used to ultimately correct intraoral defects related to missing teeth, damaged teeth, and more. Some dental prostheses can be removed, such as dentures, and others are fixed directly in the mouth and are permanent. Additionally, some are made of materials that resemble a person’s natural teeth and can help a person improve the functionality of their mouth and eliminate pain.

Dentures are a traditional option that can replace missing teeth, but many patients don’t have the same success with dentures as they do with implants. Some dentures can be removed daily for cleaning and storage while others are attached permanently to the mouth, such as implant- supported dentures. Partial dentures replace at least one tooth but not the arch, and these can shift in your mouth and cause discomfort or make it more difficult to eat, talk, and smile.

Dental appliances come in many types, though the term usually refers to a removable device or mouthguard. They can protect teeth from concussive blows as in the case of a soft sports guard or serve to open a narrow airway in someone suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Other dental appliances prevent teeth-grinding (bruxism), monitor arthritic changes in the jaw joint, or assist with proper growth, development, and tooth movement.

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This is another term that is used to indicate tooth loss or toothlessness. It typically refers to the condition when there is a complete loss of all of a person’s natural teeth.  Edentulism is a serious condition that can truly and significantly reduce an individual’s quality of life, appearance, self-image, as well as their ability to function on a daily basis. Tooth loss is a typical result of dental decay and periodontitis (gum disease).

The endosteal implant is the most commonly used type of implant exercised in modern dentistry, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. In order to fit this style of implant, a dentist will place small screws, plates, blades, or cylinders directly into the jawbone through a surgical procedure. Each implant can hold at least one prosthetic tooth.

An eposteal implant receives support by resting directly on the jawbone. This is not used as commonly by dentists today and is often seen as an outdated way of placing an implant. However, when the risk of advanced bone resorption is high in a patient, the dentist may opt for an eposteal implant.

Simply put, this means removing a tooth from the patient’s mouth. Tooth extractions were one of the most prominent dental procedures, but as technology has changed, it has become less common. Tooth extractions are usually performed in cases of dental disease, trauma, or tooth crowding.

A fixed dental prosthesis is a form of artificial tooth or combination of teeth that are not removable by the patient. A dental bridge or a crown are examples of a fixed prosthesis.

A dental filling is a restoration made of metal, porcelain, or resin that restores lost tooth structure. Metal fillings are known as “amalgam” and metal-free fillings are known as “composite.”

Gingivitis is inflamed gum tissue typically caused by dental plaque. Mild gingivitis rarely causes symptoms other than mild pain. Many fail to notice the condition until they notice bleeding while brushing or flossing. Gingivitis is reversible when treated in a timely manner but can develop into more serious conditions when ignored.

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Gum recession refers to when the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back or wears away, exposing more of the tooth’s hard surface to wear and tear. In severe cases, even the tooth root can be exposed, leading to an increased risk for complications.

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Halitosis is the clinical term for bad breath. Food breakdown typically causes foul-smelling breath, though other culprits include dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, and infection. Tobacco use, certain diets, and oral infections can also cause bad breath as these are risk factors for gum disease, which commonly accompanies halitosis.

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A hygienist is a type of dental professional qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care.

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A mold of your teeth and surrounding tissues used to create a custom-fitted dental prosthesis.

Incisors are your front teeth. Most people have eight incisor teeth — four in the upper jaw and four in the lower. These look like small chisels with sharp edges. Their main purpose is to help you bite into your food.

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Implant-supported overdentures are anchored directly to dental implants, significantly reducing the movement and slippage that can occur with traditional dentures.

Inlays are solid fillings usually made out of gold alloy. They are cast to fit the missing portion of the tooth and cemented into place over one or more tooth cusps.

The jawbone is the bone responsible for forming the structure of the mouth and has thepurpose of keeping teeth held in place. The lower part of the jaw is called the mandible, andthe upper part of the jaw is called the maxilla.  The jawbone is commonly the primary foundation for dental implants.

This type of medication is used to numb an area of the body where surgery is set to be performed.  It usually encompasses a one-time injection of medicine, such as lidocaine. The patient who receives a local anesthetic will remain conscious and alert while the surgery or procedure is taking place. Still, they should not experience any pain and will potentially only feel some pressure. Local anesthetics make it possible to perform many surgeries quickly, with less preparation, and enable the patient to experience a faster recovery time.

A smaller-sized implant used when there is limited bone volume or for temporary restorations.

“Malocclusion” refers to teeth that aren’t properly aligned, also called a misaligned bite. The word “occlusion” in this case refers to the alignment of your upper and lower teeth when your mouth is closed, with “mal” meaning bad or incorrect. The result: “bad bite.” Your upper teeth should fit slightly over your lower teeth when your mouth is closed with the grooves of the molars matched. Any deviation from this norm may be classified as a malocclusion.

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Molars are the flat, large teeth in the back of your mouth. They’re used mainly for grinding food while you chew.

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Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is an effective and safe sedative agent combined with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask. The mask goes over your nose to make you feel more relaxed, though it doesn’t put you to sleep. You can still hear and respond to the dentist. The effects will wear off shortly after removing the mask.

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An oral surgeon is dental specialist trained in surgical procedures, including tooth implant placement.

Osseointegration comes from Greek and Latin words meaning “bone” and “to make whole.” This biologic process allows a dental implant to fuse with your existing bone, improving the strength between the living bone and the load-bearing implant.

This is a form of dental prosthesis that is removable. It attaches to dental implants through the utilization of balls or bars and is supported by soft tissue. Overdentures are a great alternative compared to traditional dentures, as they are designed to eliminate the possibility of slippage or not staying in place in an individual’s mouth.

Onlays are gold or porcelain fillings that cover the cusps to protect the tooth.

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An overbite refers to a bite problem or malocclusion where the upper teeth overlap in front of the lower teeth when you close your mouth. “Overjet” is a related term that refers to when the teeth protrude diagonally rather than vertically, sometimes called “buck teeth.”

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A dental specialist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases and the placement of dental implants.

A dental specialist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of teeth, including tooth implants.

Partial dentures are removable appliances or prostheses that replace sections of missing teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

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Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection of the bone structures that support your teeth. Periodontal disease is usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits. The disease is manageable but not curable. In its advanced stages, it can lead to bleeding and sore gums, tooth loss, and painful chewing problems.

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Dental prophylaxis is the clinical term for a professional cleaning appointment. Regardless of the type you receive, prophylaxis thoroughly cleans your teeth to help maintain good tooth, gum, and mouth health.

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A removable dental prosthesis is a single tooth or more likely, a combination of teeth that are removable by the patient. A partial denture or a complete denture are examples of a removable prosthesis.

This is commonly recognized as a permanent crown that is affixed and implemented to replace a missing tooth.  A replacement tooth can function like a natural tooth would and is commonly created to match the color of the surrounding teeth in order to blend in. A replacement tooth is most often introduced when a person has lost a tooth due to disease, injury, damage, or tooth extraction.

This refers to the anesthesia used to enable a patient to relax and be comfortable during a surgical procedure. Once a sedative drug is administered, the patient should achieve a state of calm or go to sleep entirely. The sedative will reduce the patient’s awareness of the environment around them and control their responsiveness to external stimulation, including pain.

Sinus lift or sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure that is used to elevate the floor of the sinus to make space for dental implant placement. The procedure is completely safe and painless when performed properly.

This graft refers to the transplantation of a small amount of gum tissue from one location within the mouth to another location. The soft tissue graft is most usually performed to improve the appearance of the gums while also supporting replacement teeth. It is designed to restore the gums’ health and repair the damage that can occur when gum recession is present. Soft tissue grafts utilize a local anesthetic to allow the patient to be comfortable.

A subperiosteal implant sits on top of the jaw with the posts of the metal framework protruding through the gum to hold the prosthetic tooth (or teeth) in place. If a patient has minimal bone height or is unable to wear conventional dentures, a dentist might use this method for attaching an implant.

Simply put, this means removing a tooth from the patient’s mouth. Tooth extractions were one of the most prominent dental procedures, but as technology has changed, it has become less common. Tooth extractions are usually performed in cases of dental disease, trauma, or tooth crowding.

Zirconia crowns are a type of dental crown made from zirconium dioxide, a highly durable and strong ceramic material. They are known for their superior strength, natural appearance, and biocompatibility, which makes them a popular choice for restoring damaged or missing teeth. Unlike metal-based crowns, zirconia crowns are tooth-colored, and offer excellent aesthetics, making them ideal for those who want to maintain their natural-looking smile.