definition of terms

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems and bad breath. » back

Dental Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, in order to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontitis. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene. » back

Halitosis Treatment

Bad breath of oral or gastrointestinal origin. For more information about halitosis, please go to www.BreatheRX.com.  » back

Sealants

Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel and causing caries. » back

Bonding

A composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and/or color. Bonding also refers to how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth. » back

Fillings

A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain. » back

Crowns

Crown refers to the restoration of teeth using materials that are fabricated by indirect methods which are cemented into place. A crown is used to cap or completely cover a tooth. » back

Bridges

A fixed or removable dental appliance that replaces lost and/or missing teeth. » back

Root Canal

The nerve of the tooth is removed from the canal inside the root and replaced with a sterilized filling material. » back

Dentures

An artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent tissues. » back

Veneers

Ultra-thin, custom-made facings bonded to teeth to enhance and restore function and/or appearance. Veneers can be used to treat chipped, worn, crooked, and/or discolored teeth. » back

Extractions

The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts. » back

Whitening including zoom!

The process of lightening discolored or stained teeth. Treatment can be in-office or at-home. » back

Implant Restoration

Artificial tooth roots that are placed into bone to mimic the root structure of a tooth. They can be used to replace teeth or to support and retain dentures. A crown, bridge, or denture is then placed over the implant to restore natural tooth function. » back

TMJ Treamtment

The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible). » back

Night Guards

A plastic type of appliance that is used to relax the jaw muscles and/or prevent the teeth from wearing down due to bruxism (grinding), which typically occurs during sleep. People who wake up with sore muscles, facial weakness, or a jaw that is "locked" are good candidates for this device. » back

Gum Treatment

Gum treatment is the treatment of active gum and jaw bone disease. Gum disease treatment can slow or stop the progression of gum disease. Since there are different stages of gum disease (from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis), there are different levels of treatment. In some cases, the patient may be referred to a specialist. » back

orthodontics

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. » back

Digital X-Rays

A computer technology whereby radiographs are seen immediately after exposure on the computer screen. No developing or waiting is necessary. They can be magnified, colorized, and have their density manipulated for greater information. The radiation exposure necessary is about 90 percent less than that of conventional dental radiographs, which are already quite low. » back

Intraoral Camera

We use small cameras about the size of a pen, called intraoral cameras, to help clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums. » back

Electronic Claims

Our office utilizes electronic claims processing. This means that rather than sending your dental claim through the mail, it is sent electronically to your insurance company We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf. » back

Paperless charting

Our office is a completely digital (paperless) dental office. This means all X-rays and charting are made and recorded with the aid of the computer. This technology allows us to maintain your dental records electronically and cut down the unnecessary paperwork used with traditional paper charting. » back

DiagnoDent

Diagnodent is a non-invasive, painless tool used for detecting tooth decay that is not yet visible and would otherwise be undiagnosed by conventional methods alone. » back

soft tissue laser

Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue. The soft tissue laser can also be employed to destroy bacteria in gum pockets, preventing infection and allowing the tissue to return to a healthy state. The soft tissue laser enabled the dentist to treat our patients with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches. » back

Digital imaging

We use digital imaging software in our office, which allows us to take a digital picture of you and use our imaging system to predict how a particular treatment or cosmetic procedure would change the appearance of your teeth. This software is beneficial for patients who are considering cosmetic procedures but are not sure if they’re ready for dramatic changes. Digital imaging also allows us to document your dental case and procedures very well. We take digital images of your face, teeth and smile to provide us with a permanent dental record and to provide a visual documentation of treatment.
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