Reference
Glossary of Dental Terms
Understanding dental terminology can help you make informed decisions about your oral health. Use this glossary to look up common dental and holistic dentistry terms.
Amalgam
A composite composed of 40-55% mercury along with silver, tin and copper. Used as a filling material in traditional dentistry but avoided in holistic practices due to mercury content.
Biocalix
A material used in root canal therapy that expands and alkalinizes the tooth, thus discouraging further build-up of bacteria.
Biological Dentistry
A method of practicing dentistry that takes into account bio-compatibility of dental materials and the bio-energetic or meridian system used in Chinese medicine and the focal infection theory.
Bleaching
Also known as whitening, the process of lightening off-colored or stained teeth with supervised bleaching methods. This can be done in-office with a laser or at home with individualized trays.
Bone Graft
A procedure done when there has been significant bone loss to help the body regenerate lost bone. The source of the grafting material can either be from the patient’s own body or from a natural substance such as algae. Follow up work such as an implant will need to be done within a matter of months or the body will start to re-absorb the new bone.
Bonded Dentistry
Includes a wide range of procedures: tooth-colored fillings or composites, creating veneers and closing gaps between teeth.
Bridge
A dental appliance that replaces lost teeth. It can be either removable or fixed.
Build Up
The removal of old filling material and decay from a worn-out tooth and bonding with tooth-colored composite resin to create a solid foundation for a cap or crown.
Composite Resin
Tooth-colored material made of resin reinforced with silica, glass or porcelain particles that is used for filling cavities.
Cosmetic Contouring
Creating a more pleasing appearance by reshaping natural teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An aspect of dentistry that concentrates on the pleasing, aesthetic appearance of a person’s smile.
Crown
Also known as a cap, this type of restoration replaces the missing portion of a tooth or corrects the overall bite.
Dentin
Softer layer of tooth structure that lies beneath the enamel.
Diastema
Space or gap between two teeth.
Enamel
The white outer layer of tooth structure covering and protecting the dentin.
Fixed Bridge
A dental appliance used for replacing missing teeth that is non-removable. The bridge is held in place by cementing or bonding to adjacent teeth that are used as anchors.
Focal Infection Theory
Formulated and tested more than 50 years ago, this theory states that conditions in the mouth have a direct impact on the body as a whole.
Galvanism
The phenomenon of dissimilar electrical patterns created in the mouth through the use of dental metals.
Gingiva
Gum tissue. Infections in the gingiva can lead to periodontal disease.
Holistic Dentistry
An approach that views the mouth as a component of the entire body rather than an isolated part that is separate from the whole.
Implants
Used to replace a missing tooth. A post is placed in the bone and then the tooth is restored by attaching a finished crown to it. The entire procedure can take anywhere from one day to three months, depending on which approach is appropriate for the patient.
Inlay
Used to support tooth structure by bonding a durable material such as resin, porcelain or gold and filling a decayed part of a tooth.
Laminating
Applying a thin layer of composite resin or porcelain to the surface of a tooth in order to alter its appearance.
Malocclusion
Misalignment of the upper or lower teeth causing a poorly adjusted, uncomfortable bite. This is often the cause of pain in the jaw joints, also known as TMJ Syndrome.
Onlay
Similar to an inlay except that the filling is also applied to the biting surface of the tooth.
Panorex
Also known as panoramic X-rays, these are full-mouth X-rays that show a complete view of the teeth and surrounding bones of the jaw.
Partial Denture (Bridge)
A dental appliance that is removable or fixed, used to replace missing teeth.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal infection is generally caused by a combination of stress, acidity, and improper oral hygiene. It affects the gums and bone surrounding the teeth.
Porcelain
Material created by fusing ceramics at high temperatures so that a hard substance/glass is formed resembling tooth enamel.
Root Canal Therapy
The procedure by which an infected tooth can be preserved by sterilization and filling of the inner canals and tubules.
Rubber Dam
Used to isolate teeth during dental procedures, this thin rubber sheet is important during the process of replacing old amalgams to prevent unnecessary exposure to metal.
Titanium
A metal primarily used for implants and orthodontic wires. Titanium used for implants is medical grade and extremely pure. Studies have shown that it integrates into bone without detectable inflammation, so it is generally regarded as safe.
Veneers
Ultra-thin sheets of porcelain or composite resin created for bonding to the surface of teeth. This procedure is especially useful in repairing or changing the appearance of damaged teeth.
Whitening
See Bleaching.
Have Questions About a Term?
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