Remember the last time you were in a dental chair? Leaned back, lights in your eyes, and you hear your dentist rambling about your oral health—but you have no idea what they’re even talking about.
Your Crete dentist knows that one of the most important aspects of a doctor-patient relationship is communication. That’s why we have created this blog post to explain all of the technical dentistry jargon that most patients wouldn’t understand. If you want to decipher the dental code, review this A-Z list of helpful dental terms! (Great opening, but you CAN’T have typos in the first line!)
A
Amalgam: The metallic material used to repair tooth decay.
B
Bleaching: A cosmetic dental treatment that systematically removes stains from the outermost layers of your teeth.
Bonding: A cosmetic treatment that adds to missing or imperfect tooth structure to improve its form and function.
C
Caries: Holes in the tooth left by tooth decay. You may know them as cavities.
Composite resin: A biocompatible dental material used to fill cavities and create or rebuild lost tooth structure.
Cosmetic dentistry: A field of dentistry that concerns the beauty of the smile rather than fixing functional issues.
Crown: A restorative procedure that strengthens a weak, worn, decayed, or otherwise damaged tooth.
D
Dental implants: A modernized tooth replacement option for a missing tooth from root to crown.
Dental Abscess: An oral infection that exists inside the tooth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the tooth in place.
E
Endodontist: A specialist who focuses on issues affecting the interior of the tooth and performing root canals.
F
Fluoride: A mineral that is well-known for its ability to rebuild and strengthen the tooth enamel, protecting it from tooth decay.
G
Gingivitis: The earliest form of gum disease.
H
Halitosis: Chronic bad breath.
M
Malocclusion: Misaligned teeth or jaws that may exist as an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite.
O
Occlusal surface: The tooth’s chewing surface or top of the tooth crown.
P
Periodontitis: The most advanced stage of gum disease, associated with countless dental problems.
Periodontist: A dentist who specializes in the gum tissue that supports the teeth, especially in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gum disease.
Prosthodontist: A dentist who specializes in replacing missing teeth and smile functionality.
R
Restorative dentistry: A field of dentistry that focuses on repairing damaged teeth to regain optimal function after injury, decay, or loss.
S
Sleep apnea: A condition that blocks the proper flow of air through the throat and to the brain during the night, resulting in chronic snoring, interrupted sleep, chronic exhaustion, and other issues.
T
Tartar: The hardened yellowed substance that comes from lingering plaque and dental debris. It can only be removed with special tools by your dentist.
TMJ: The temporomandibular joint. Allows you to open and close your jaw.
V
Veneers: Porcelain or composite coverings that remake the size, shape, color, and overall appearance of the teeth that show when you smile.
If you’re ever confused on what your dentist is trying to discuss with you, don’t hesitate to ask!
About Our Office
Communication is the key to a successful dental plan. When you choose to visit Williamsburg Dental, you’re choosing dental experts that care about your oral health as if it were their own. We want all of our patients to be successful, and we can’t do that if the lines of communication have been severed by complicated dental jargon. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact our helpful dental office.