Terminology

Endodontist

A dentist that strictly deals with the nerve of the tooth. They may perform simple to difficult root canal treatments as well as surgical root procedures. They may perform an apicoectomy (surgically removing the tip of the root) or a root amputation (removing a root on a multi-rooted tooth), also. They have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only endodontics.

Orthodontist

A dentist that straightens teeth. They analyze a mouth and surrounding bone structures and determine where the teeth should be. If there is enough room they will manipulate the teeth and bone through the use of bands, wires, elastics, headgears and other appliances to achieve a harmonius balance between facial muscles and teeth. If there is not enough room teeth may have to be extracted to achieve the desired results. They treat children as well as adults, so don't be afraid you are too old to have braces . They have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only orthodontics.

Oral Surgeon

A dentist that performs many aspects of surgery in and about the head area. They can perform simple to extremely difficult (Completely-Bony Impacted Third Molars (Wisdom teeth) extractions. They also perform biopsies and removal of tumors in the head and neck region. Most place implants in the jaw for future restorations and do complex jaw realignment surgeries. They have usually 4 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only oral surgery.

Periodontist

A dentist that deals with the supporting structures of the teeth. They diagnosis and treat gingivitis (Inflammation of the gum tissue) as well as periodontitis (Gum Disease). They may perform simple cleanings to complicated bone surgeries. They perform bone grafting where indicated and do soft tissue grafts to treat gum recession. Most also place implants in the jaw for future restoration. They have usually 3 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only periodontics.

Pedodontist

A pediatric dentist. They focus their dentistry to treating the younger patients. They will usually treat children from as little as 1 or 2 to early adulthood. They can perform all aspects of dentistry on this crowd. They can detect early on if there are problems with decayed, missing, crowded or malpositioned teeth and correct them as well as spot signs of child abuse. They have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only pedodontics.

Prosthodontist

A dentist that deals with simple to complicated full mouth restorations. They may be crowns, fixed bridges, dentures, implant cases, or mixed implant and fixed bridge cases. They sometimes encompass the majority of the patients remaining teeth. They also perform needed restorative procedures, such as obturators, after removal of cancerous portions of the mouth.They have usually 3 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only prosthodontics.

Glossary

ABUTMENT
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth. Abutments are the part of the bridge used to support the replacement of the missing teeth (pontics).

AMALGAM
Silver filling. Amalgams are usually placed on the back teeth (posterior teeth).

ANESTHESIA
Relieves the sensation of pain.

ANTERIOR TEETH
The front teeth (incisors and cupids).

ARCH
The upper or lower jaw.

BACK TEETH
See Posterior Teeth

BICUSPIDS
The first and second bicuspids, those are the fourth and fifth teeth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the back teeth that are used for chewing, they only have two points (cusps).

BITEWING
X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth's biting surfaces on the same film. This x-ray shows the portion of the teeth above the gumline.

BRIDGE
A fixed appliance (prosthesis) that replaces missing teeth. A bridge is a series of crowns (abutments and pontics).

BRUXISM
Clenching or grinding of the teeth.

CALCULUS
The sticky film on your teeth (plaque) that has hardened. Also known as tartar.

CANAL
The narrow chamber inside the root of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels.

CANINES
See cuspids.

CARIES
Correct technical term for decay.

CLEANING
See prophylaxis.

COMPLETE SERIES
See Full Mouth X-rays.

COMPOSITE FILLING
Tooth colored filling. Insurance companies usually only allow them on the front teeth (anterior teeth). When composites are done on the back teeth (posterior teeth) the insurance company usually pays them as an amalgam. Composites are also known as resin fillings.

CROWN
Full coverage for a tooth. sed when the tooth cannot be restored by a filling.

CURETTAGE
Surgical scraping of bacteria from the soft tissue. This is a periodontal procedure and is usually performed one quadrant at a time. Procedure code 4220.

CUSPS
The high points on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (posterior teeth).

CUSPIDS
The third tooth from the center of the mouth to the back of the mouth. These are the front teeth that have one rounded or pointed edge used for biting. Also known as canines.

DECIDUOUS TEETH
See Primary Teeth.

DEDUCTIBLE
The amount paid by the patient before the carrier starts to pay benefits.

DENTURE
A removable appliance (prosthesis) that replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

DEPENDENT
Usually the spouse and children of the subscriber.

EDENTULOUS
All the teeth are missing in either the upper or lower arch.

ENDODONTICS (ENDO) The treatment of diseases or injuries that affect the root tip or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure that you will deal with is a root canal.

FLUORIDE
Topical application of a gel or liquid that prevents decay.

FRONT TEETH
See Anterior Teeth.

FULL MOUTH X-RAYS (F.M.X.)
X-rays showing all the teeth. Includes 14 periapicals and 2 or 4 bitewings. Also known as a complete series.