Dental and Oral / Dental Surgery

Family Dentistry:

 Dental services provided to both adults and children.

Crown:  Custom-made covering that fits over your whole tooth after the dentist has prepared it. A crown is made
out of porcelain that has been fused to metal, porcelain only, or a metal such as gold.  a crown is also known as a cap.

Bridge:  A dental appliance that is permanently cemented onto adjacent teeth to replace one or more missing teeth.  
A bridge is made out of the same material as a crown.

Denture:  A set of artificial teeth.

Root Canal:  Root canal therapy or Root Canal Treatment is a dental procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp
chamber of the tooth and filling it with a suitable filling material. A root canal is usually performed when the tooth
cannot be filled or restored any other way because the decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected.

Tooth Extraction:  The surgical removal of a tooth, also known as having a tooth "pulled"

Filling:  The material used to replace an area of the tooth where decay has been removed and a cavity remains. Two common types of fillings are amalgam (silver) and composite (white). Fillings may also be made of gold or porcelain.

Teeth Whitening:  A cosmetic dental procedure in which natural teeth are whitened with a bleaching agent such as peroxide.  this procedure is also known as bleaching.

Teeth Cleaning:  Professional removal of plaque and calculus (calcified plaque) from teeth, followed by a thorough polish.

Complete Oral Exam:  Thorough examination of the teeth and jaws, including surrounding structures.  A complete oral exam will include an oral cancer screening and a full set of radiographs.  A dentist will consult radiographs to find unerupted teeth, decay, infection, and other pathologies.

Oral Cancer Screening:  Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.  If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests.

Digital X-rays:  A new way of taking X-rays that sends images straight to a computer screen and reduces radiation exposure for the patient by 80%.

Cosmetic Bonding:  Bonding is the process in which tooth colored materials (composite resin) are adhered (bonded) to the tooth. This is a procedure that can be used to repair or improve the appearance of a tooth that has been badly stained, broken or chipped.

Veneers:  Veneers are a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They are custom made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. A veneer can be used to treat dental conditions such as a slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth or they can even be used to cover spaces in between the teeth. A veneer can be made by the dentist or in a dental laboratory, depending on the materials used and the preference of the dentist.

Oral Surgery:  Oral surgery is the area of medicine concerned with correcting problems or damage to the mouth, teeth and jaw.  Oral surgery is commonly performed to remove wisdom teeth, prepare the mouth for dentures, repair jaw problems and perform root canals. Oral surgeons may also perform more advanced procedures as required after trauma or severe disease damages the structures of the mouth.

Nitrous Oxide:  Nitrous Oxide or "laughing gas" is a gas that's combined with oxygen to produce a a calming effect and a sense of well being when inhaled. Many dentists use Nitrous Oxide to help a patient relax during dental treatments.

Implant:  A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace missing teeth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant is permanent.  A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor an artificial tooth or teeth such as a crown, bridge or denture.

Dry Socket:  A dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a condition that can occur after a tooth has been removed.  When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot normally remains in its place. A dry socket can occur if the blood clot becomes dislodged. With the protective blood clot gone, the bone and nerves underneath are exposed, causing severe pain. A dry socket is very common, but it can be avoided by not smoking and following post operative instructions after any type of oral surgery.

Gingivitis:  Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, which can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. The signs and symptoms are red, swollen and puffy gums that bleed easily. If treatment is not received, gingivitis could progress into periodontitis, an advanced and more serious stage of gum disease which includes bone loss and is not reversible.

Periodontitis:  Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible. The gum tissue and bone that surround and support your teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out. Periodontitis occurs when the early stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is left untreated.

Sealant:  Dental Sealants are a clear and protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are most commonly placed on children's permanent teeth because they are more prone to cavities.

TMJ Disorder:  Also known as TMD, is the pain or tenderness experienced in or around the temporomandibular joint, or jaw joint.