BSDA Glossary - (Choose a letter above)

!Please upgrade your Flash Player to the latest version and/or turn on Javascript support to view this multi-media content!

• bonding
  Adhering tooth-colored resin materials to tooth surface to create a bond. Also, it is the process of covering of a tooth surface by enamel-like resin to correct stained or damaged teeth, by adhering a layer of plastic on the tooth.
Top Of Page
• bleaching (tooth whitening)
  Process of brightening or whitening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with an in-office power bleaching method, or dentist -supervised, at-home whitening systems.
• 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. Bridges may be made of gold or porcelain on gold.
• bruxism
  Tooth grinding, often caused by stress. Most often done unconsciously at night.
• Cerec 3D
  This is a system that enables us to fabricate a porcelain inlay, onlay, or even crown in a single appointment, thus eliminating the wait time traditionally associated with a porcelain restoration. A computer is used along with an optical scanner to take images of your tooth and design an ideal restoration using architecture CAD/CAM technology so there is no need to wear a temporary restoration or wait for an off-site lab to create a restoration. This exciting technology can be used in many applications and we will gladly make recommendations to you whether a Cerec 3D restoration would be appropriate for you.
• composite
  Tooth-colored resin filling materials made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles. Main advantages- tooth colored, are bonded to strengthen rather than weaken tooth. Disadvantages- They are very technique sensitive so should not be placed by dentists unfamiliar with their use.
• cosmetic recontouring
  Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.
• cosmetic dentistry
  The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.
• crown
  A crown, also known as a cap, is a cover for a decayed or damaged tooth made of porcelain and/or metal.
• diastema
  The space between two teeth.
• extraction
  The removal of teeth - may be simple or surgical. Oral surgery is the field of dentistry relating to extractions.
Top Of Page
• fistula
  A bump or boil on the gum tissue, which is a tract, in which an abscessed tooth can drain.
• fluoride
  Fluoride is the ion form of the element fluorine and exists abundantly in living tissue like tooth enamel. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay.
• gingiva
  Gum tissue.
• gingivitis
  Inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque and or tarter build- up. Precurser to periodontitis if not treated.
• impacted tooth
  This is a tooth that is submerged under the gum tissue, usually associated with a wisdom tooth. It may be malpositioned and may never erupt, but may still require removal.
• implant
  A a titanium, screw-like appliance positioned 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 tooth restoration cemented or bonded into the tooth. Inlays restore the area of the tooth between cusps and are fabricated in a dental lab from an impression of the prepared tooth.
• night guard
  A plastic mouthpiece to prevent damage from grinding teeth at night.
Top Of Page
• onlay
  A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made tooth restoration cemented or bonded to the tooth. Onlays are much like inlays, but include one, two, three or even four cusps. Like inlays and crowns, onlays are fabricated in a dental lab from an impression of the prepared tooth.
• periodontitis
  (Gum Disease) Advanced gum disease; inflamation of gum tissue which causes bone loss resulting in tooth loss if untreated. For more information on periodontal disease (Gum Disease) see Services.
• porcelain laminate veneer
  A thin porcelain shell bonded to the tooth to correct imperfections in shape and color.
• prophy
  Simple cleaning of teeth above the gum line 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 (called tartar or calculus), 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.
• rubber dam
  A thin rubber sheet applied to teeth for safety and to control moisture during dental procedures.
• sealants
  A plastic coating applied to grooves of teeth to prevent decay.
• veneers (porcelain or composite)
  Ultra-thin, specially made laminates bonded to teeth. (Veneers are especially useful for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth.)
• whitening (bleaching)
  The process of brightening or whitening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with in-office power bleaching method or dentist-supervised, at-home whitening systems.

Top Of Page

Other Resources:

•> The American Dental Association

•> The Maine Dental Association