By Michelle Horst, DDS, Associates in Dentistry
Visiting your dentist should be a positive experience, but can be overwhelming at times. Understanding basic dental terminology can help clarify any misunderstandings that you may have in the dental chair. Here is a little Dental Terminology 101 to help you “brush” up on some basic dental procedures:
- Prophylaxis treatment; “a regular cleaning”: Tooth loss and advanced disease of the gums can often be prevented. It is important to be seen every six months for a thorough dental cleaning and exam. Your dental hygienist will use dental instruments to remove plaque (bacteria that feed on sugary foods) and calculus/tarter (bacteria that is hard and cannot be removed with a toothbrush).
- Scaling and Root Planing; “a deep cleaning”: Each tooth has a collar (or pocket) of gum tissue supporting it. The collar should be about 1-3 mm deep in a healthy mouth. Bacteria can sit at the bottom of that collar and must be cleaned to prevent the teeth from becoming loose. If the collar of gums gets very deep (usually more than 5 mms), it may be necessary to numb up the area so that instruments can be used to clean the tooth and remove that bad bacteria at the bottom of that collar. This procedure is often completed for people who have periodontal disease (gum disease that can result in early tooth loss).
- Fluoride treatment; “tooth vitamins”: Fluoride is a natural mineral that is often found in toothpastes and water. A fluoride treatment is a more concentrated amount of fluoride applied at a dental office. A fluoride treatment is recommended to help strengthen teeth and is especially important for all children and for adults that are at higher risk for getting cavities or have a lot of tooth sensitivity.
- Dental Sealants; “tooth paint”: Some teeth have very deep grooves that are hard to clean. To prevent a cavity, your dentist may recommend that a dental sealant is placed in the grooves. We most often place sealants on the adult teeth that are found in the mouth around the age of six. The sealant material flows into the grooves of the tooth and is hardened by a light. There should be no discomfort with this procedure. Your dentist may need to reapply the sealants periodically.
- Tooth decay/caries; “cavities”: Certain bacteria in our mouths will use sugars to produce acid. This acid softens the teeth and permanently damages it by forming a cavity (small hole). If the cavity is not treated by removing the tooth decay and placing a filling, it most often gets larger and can spread across the tooth. This can cause problems with the nerve of the tooth resulting in pain and even early tooth loss. Early signs of a cavity often result in NO symptoms. It is only after a cavity gets very large that it can cause tooth pain and infection.
- Composite/Amalgam restorations; “fillings”: After tooth decay is detected and removed, a filling should be placed on the tooth to seal the hole and prevent further break-down of the tooth. Both white fillings (composites) and silver fillings (amalgams) are still used in many offices. Make sure to discuss with your dentist what material they would recommend as a filling material for your tooth. The life of your fillings is often based on how well you take care of them. Your dentist will check your fillings every six months at your exam appointments to make sure they are healthy and still protecting your tooth.
- Crowns; “caps”: A dental crown is a cap that is placed over your existing tooth. It is shaped specifically for your mouth and is often needed to restore a damaged tooth, strengthen the existing tooth, and improve appearance and alignment. The cap is placed on the portion of the tooth that is above the gum line. It is cemented in place so it cannot come in and out of the mouth. Your crown can be made out of many different materials from metal to porcelain to zirconia.
- Dental Implants: A dental implant is a hollow titanium screw that is placed in the bone where an existing tooth used to be. It is important to allow time for the bone to grow around the threads of the implant before a tooth (crown) is placed on the implant. An implant is permanent and does not need to be removed. It looks and functions just like a real tooth. It is still important to brush and floss your implant to keep it clean and healthy.
- Dentures/Partial Dentures: A full denture is used to replace all existing teeth and is made to fit on the gums and bone in the mouth. A partial denture is used to replace some teeth and is anchored on existing, healthy teeth. Both types of dentures need to be removed at night to allow the gums to breathe and stay healthy. They should be used during eating and most of the day. In some cases, implants can be used to anchor a denture more securely in the mouth.
Hopefully, this review was helpful to you. When it comes to your health, make sure to visit a group that you trust and can help answer all of your questions. Happy brushing (and flossing)!
For further information regarding dental procedures, visit us at www.associatesindentistry.com for links to trusted, professional dental sources. With locations in Canton, Elmwood, Washington, Peoria, and Bartonville. Associates in Dentistry is ready to serve you and your family. Convenient weekend and evening appointments are available.