Glossary of Terms

A short glossary of terms you may find used on this site.

abscess
infection caused by severe decay, trauma, or gum disease. You may have pain and swelling.

amalgam
Typical silver coloured filling made of mix of silver, tin, mercury, and some other trace elements like copper.
Advantages- placement easier than other materials, cost.
Disadvantage- colour, breaks down 10-20 years.

bonding
The covering of a tooth surface to correct stained or damaged teeth, by painting a layer of plastic on the tooth.

bridge
One or more artificial teeth attached, usually on both sides, by crowns to adjacent teeth. It is used to maintain space and function for missing teeth. May be made of gold or porcelain on gold.

bruxism
Tooth grinding, often caused by stress. Most often done unconsciously at night.

composite
Tooth coloured resin filling materials.
Main advantages- colour, adhesives available to strengthen rather than weaken tooth.
Disadvantages- shrinkage, stain and wear problems, very technique sensitive.

crown
A crown or a cap is a cover for a decayed or damaged tooth made of porcelain and/or metal.

extraction
The removal of teeth - may be simple or surgical.

fistula
A bump or boil on the gum tissue, which is a tract, in which an abscessed tooth can drain.

gingivitis
Inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque and/or tartar build-up. Precursor to periodontitis if not treated.

impacted tooth
Usually associated with a wisdom tooth, it is a tooth that is submerged under the gum tissue. It may be malpositioned, and may never erupt.

implant
A titanium cage or screw placed in the bone to replace a lost tooth or teeth. A crown, bridge, or bar and denture can be fixed to the implant(s).

inlay
A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made filling cemented into the tooth. If it covers the tips of the teeth or otherwise supports the tips it is called an onlay.

night guard
A plastic mouthpiece to prevent damage from grinding teeth at night.

periodontitis
Advanced gum disease; inflammation of gum tissue which causes bone loss resulting in tooth loss if untreated.

porcelain laminate veneer
A thin porcelain shell bonded to the tooth to correct imperfections in shape and colour.

prophy
Simple cleaning of teeth with rubber wheel and dental toothpaste.

root canal therapy
Cleaning out the inside nerve of the tooth to preserve the tooth.

root planing
The removal of hard deposits, with metal scalers, on the root surface and smoothing the root surface to allow for reattachment of the gums to the tooth and ultimately pocket reduction.

sealant
Plastic coating applied to grooves of teeth to prevent decay.