A

Abrasion
Tooth wear caused by forces other than chewing such as holding objects between the teeth or improper brushing.

B

Bitewing radiographs
X-rays used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as they bite down.

Bonding
A composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and/or color. Bonding also refers to how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.

Broken Tooth        [Read More on Crowns]
A crown covers a tooth in order to restore it when it has been broken down and a filling will not solve the problem. Crowns allow you to keep the tooth function and protect it from fracturing.

C

Cavity        [Read More on Fillings]
Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion.

Composite
A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).

Crooked Teeth        [Read More on Cosmetic Dentistry ;  Invisalign - A Clear Alternative]
Many adults dislike their crooked teeth and think that the only solution is lengthy orthodontic treatment with braces. Thanks to improved technology and materials, we can now skillfully and quickly change those crowded, crooked and missing teeth into beautiful smiles.

D

Decay
The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure.

Discolored Teeth        [Read More on Deep Bleaching™  and  Zoom!® Whitening]
A cosmetic dental procedure that whitens the teeth using a bleaching solution.   

E

Enamel
Hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth.

I

Infection - Pulp of the Tooth        [Read More - Root Canal]
If the pulp of the tooth, housed within the root, becomes infected, the root canal needs to be cleaned out and treated in order to save the tooth.

L

Laser
Used to check for decay deep within the tooth that is not accessible with an instrument or for the removal of soft tissue within the mouth.

M

Missing Teeth        [Read More - Fixed Bridges and Implants]
A fixed partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or implant abutments adjacent to the space.

S

Sensitive teeth        [Read More - Fluoride]
When the underlying layer of your teeth (dentin) becomes exposed, you may experience hot and cold temperature sensitivity. Depending on the degree of sensitivity the teeth can be treated with a desensitizing fluoride or a bonded restoration.

Silver Fillings        [Read More on Cosmetic Dentistry;     Fillings]
Those old silver fillings that have made your back teeth dark and unattractive can now be replaced with state-of-the-art materials that will make your teeth stronger, healthier and much more attractive.

T

Teeth grinding       [Read More - Fixed Bridges and Implants]
Grinding or clenching can cause many problems within the mouth and around the tempromandibular joint (TMJ).