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Definitions / Glossary

Barodontalgia

Commonly known as tooth squeeze and previously known as aerodontalgia, is a pain in tooth caused by a change in atmospheric pressure

Bruxism

The grinding of the teeth, and is typically accompanied by the clenching of the jaw.

Calculus

Or tartar refers to calcified deposits on the teeth, formed by the continuous presence of dental plaque

Crown

A crown is used to cap or completely cover a tooth.

Dental Implants

  • Definition: The dental implant is an artificial root ancred in the jaw bone through implantology. Its function is to replace a root from a damaged tooth or a removed tooth, in order to support a prosthesis. Dental implant is the link between the prosthesis and the jaw bone, allowing for chewing strength at the bone level and plays a shock absorber role.
  • Types and shapes: You can distinguish 2 types of dental implants : those that are placed one the jaw bone (juxta-osseous) and those placed within the jaw bone (endo-osseous). The shapes, generally cylindrical, can also be cone shaped, disk shaped, blade shaped. Each one corresponding to specific needs. The diameter generally vary between 3 and 5mm and the length between 10 and 15mm. The variety correspond to the diversity of the jaw bones and each clinical case.
  • Dental implant resistance: It must support chewing in all directions incompassing 10 to 35kg/cm² , it must not alter in time due to saliva, gums or other elements existing in the mouth.
  • Dental implant duration: Surpasses human life.

Dental restorative material

To restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss typically results from caries or external trauma. It is also lost intentionally during tooth preparation to improve the aesthetics or the physical integrity of the intended restorative material. Dental restoration also refers to the replacement of missing tooth structure which is supported by dental implants.

Dental braces

Also known as orthodontic braces, these are devices used in orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person’s bite. They are often used to correct malocclusions such as underbites, overbites, cross bites and open bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural. Orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to widen the palate or jaws or otherwise shape the teeth and jaws. They are mainly used on children and teenagers; however adults can also use them, more adults are going to orthodontic therapy in the last 20 years.

Dental cavities

Also known as tooth decay, is a disease where bacterial processes damages hard tooth structure.

Dental extraction

(Also referred to as Exodontia), is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

Dental implants

An artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. Dental Implant is starting to be a standard of care to replace Removable Prosthesis and Bridges.

Floss

Either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (Teflon or Polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from Interproximal areas of teeth

Fluoridation

Is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply in order to reduce tooth decay. Its use in the U.S. began in the 1940s, now many countries around the world are introducing Fluoridation to their water supplies.

U.S. researchers discovered that moderate fluoridation prevents cavities, and it is now used for about two-thirds of the U.S. population on public water systems and for about 5.7% of people worldwide. Although the best available evidence shows no association with adverse effects other than fluorosis, most of which is mild, water fluoridation has been contentious for ethical, safety, and efficacy reasons, and opposition to water fluoridation exists despite its support by public health organizations.

Fluoride therapy

Is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Most commonly, fluoride is applied topically to the teeth using gels, varnishes, toothpaste/dentifrices or mouth rinse. Systemic delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

Gingivitis

(“Inflammation of the gums“) around the teeth is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva (gums)

Gummy Smiles

Most people with gummy smiles feel embarrassed in social situations as they stress over who’s focusing on their large gum line. Cosmetic dentists have made things easier. You can achieve your desired smile in simple visits. Treating a gummy smile does not mean extensive surgery and lots of pain. In fact, it’s one of the easiest dental flaws to treat. When you’re ready to make-over your smile, schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to discuss your dream smile and your concerns. Most cosmetic dentists state that when you smile, your upper lip should fall where your gum and two front teeth join. To get a healthy, attractive smile, techniques such as lip repositioning and crown lengthening are used. You need to know about new mobile slots

Cosmetic Dental Techniques to Treat a Gummy Smile:

  • Repositioning your lips: As one of the techniques used to treat a gummy smile, lip repositioning is most often used with crown lengthening but can also be used on its own. To treat, your cosmetic dentist takes out some of the tissue on the inside of your upper lip. After removal, your cosmetic dentist stitches the lip to your gums. Stitching prohibits the muscles that lift your lip from revealing an excessively large gum line. Lip repositioning is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes to complete.
  • Crown Lengthening: As one of the procedure in treating a gummy smile, crown lengthening consists of gum tissue removal. While you’re under anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist eliminates some of the gum tissue. This removal lengthens your teeth. Usually done in just one visit. With advanced technologies and higher training, treating gummy smiles has never been easier.

Halitosis

Oral malodor, breath odor, mouth odor, foul breath, fetor oris, fetor ex ore, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source or not. Halitosis has a significant impact – personally and socially – on those who suffer from it or believe they do (halitophobia), and is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Mouthwash

Mouth rinse is a product used for oral hygiene. Antiseptic and anti-plaque mouth rinse claims to kill the bacterial plaque causing caries, gingivitis, and bad breath

Nitrous oxide

Commonly known as “laughing gas“, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula N2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects.

Orthodontics

This is a specific area of dentistry that specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial issues, the most common, “straightening of crooked teeth”. In layman’s terms, the area of dentistry that deals with a “bad bite” also known in the dental profession as “malocclusion”.

In order to provide successful orthodontic treatment the dentist must be very skilled at using different types of corrective applications. They must be able to bring the teeth and jaw into proper alignment which requires an in depth understanding of how different corrective appliances work.

What’s the Difference Between and Orthodontist and Dentist?
Many people ask what the main difference is between orthodontists and dentists. Less than 10% of dentists can actually call themselves an orthodontist. After a dentist graduates from dental school they can further there education by specializing in a branch of dentistry such as orthdontics by taking a 2 – 3 year residency program taking advanced orthodontic courses approved by the ADA American Dental Association . They will learn specialized skills relating to tooth movement and balancing facial irregularities. A dentist can only call themselves an orthodontist after completing this required advanced specialized education.

Can a Dentist Provide You With Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes a dentist that does not have the specialized designation of orthodontist can provide you with a wide variety of orthodontic treatment. However, many general dentists choose to refer complex and challenging ortho patients to the specilized orthodontists. This is not to say that a general dentist cannot provide you with great results through orthodontic care. As with any major decision make sure you check the dentists credentials and experience.

In my Opinion even most say a general dentist could provide orthodontic treatment , I will always recommend to use a specialist.

What’s the Quickest Way to Straighten Teeth?
The one drawback to orthodontic care, especially as an adult, is the length of time it takes to complete treatment. There are many new technologies today that make wearing dental braces less visible. Some treatment options can accelerate the time it takes to correct your bad bite or crooked teeth. The best way to determine a treatment option is to have a consulation with an orthodontist .

What Are the Benefits of Straight Teeth Using Orthodontics Vs. Some Other Method of Straigtening Teeth?
Straightening your teeth with traditional orthodontics allows you to keep your natural teeth without having to remove natural tooth structure. If your teeth are healthy and just need to be aligned, orthodontics will allow you to preserve your natural teeth. Wheras another equally popular alternative to braces “porcelain veneers” allows you to give the appearance of perfectly straight teeth in as little as two visits, however in most cases the dentist will have to prepare your teeth to fit the veneers which means removing tooth structure. In my opinion with the advanced technology in othodontist , consult with an orthodontist before you make your decision.

Invisalign
If you require braces but feel embarrassed flashing a mouth full of metal, consider Invisalign, a discreet way of straightening your teeth without all that bulk.

When you consult with your cosmetic dentist, you will be given several removable aligners to insert in your mouth. Designed to shift particular teeth into place, aligners are generally first worn in the back teeth and eventually move to the front teeth.

Every two weeks, you will change aligners. Each time you switch aligners, your teeth will shift. To ensure that your Invisalign treatment runs smoothly, visit your dentist every six weeks for regular check-ups. Your dentist will advise you to remove these aligners whenever you brush, floss, drink and eat.

Just as the name suggests, Invisalign aligners and trays consist of clear plastic, allowing you to conceal your treatment from others. Even though many patients prefer Invisalign because of its invisible perk, it can only be used for those with a proper bite. That is, because Invisalign is not administered with headgear like traditional braces, only those with proper alignment are ideal candidates.

Because each case differs, so does the cost of Invisalign treatment. Although Invisalign usually costs more than traditional braces, the average treatment only lasts about a year.

If you’re a candidate for traditional braces, consider Invisalign. You’ll get the same results–without advertising your treatment. Make sure to consult with an orthodontist to make your decision.

Teeth Whitening

So you want to whiten your teeth and you are trying to figure out what the best teeth whitening system is? Well there are many factors that influence the results you can get from a whitening system whether it be take home or in the dental chair. . Lets start with professional whitening in the dental office. You may have heard of some of the leading systems like Zoom or Britesmile and wondered which one lightens your teeth the most. The answer is, they both work great and the costs are similar.

The advantage to in office whitening is the obvious, speed, you are able to get results quicker than using an at-home solution. The price for the whitening treatment is determined by the dentists themselves. The manufacturers always have a suggested price but ultimately its the dentists choice as to how much they charge. That is why you will get a wide range of pricing if you call around… Some may charge $900 and others might only charge $400. Don’t forget to compare apples to apples, sometimes the dental practice will guarantee the results and others will include take home touch up kits so to get a fair comparison make sure you get all the specifics of the offer.

Here’s a quick comparison between Crest Whitestrips and professional 1 hour whitening. Whitestrips are obviously much cheaper but they have there limitations. If your teeth are straight its much easier to contact the whitening agent onto the surface of the tooth and get the results. If there is malocclusion (crooked teeth) you will have to shape the strips around your misaligned teeth and get consistent contact so the result is similar throughout. With professional whitening you tend to be able to get results faster and get whitening consistency. Both products and services work well, it just depends on your budget, time contraints and individual needs.

Temporomandibular joint disease

Also known as TMJD, TMJ, TMD or TMJ syndrome, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.

Xerostomia

The medical term for a “dry mouth” due to a lack of saliva . Xerostomia is sometimes colloquially called pasties, cottonmouth, or doughmouth. Xerostomia can cause difficulty in speech and eating. It also leads to halitosis and a dramatic rise in the number of cavities.