Definitions of Dental
Terms
E-N
Electronic Anesthesia: Anesthesia that sends electrical impulses
blocking pain signals to the brain through electrodes placed near the teeth.
Used as an alternative to injected anesthesia, and not effective for all
patients and procedures. Often referred to as H-Wave.
Enamel: The highly calcified covering over the outside
of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body. See "What are teeth
made of?"
Endodontics: The branch of dentistry concerned with the
treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure
is a root canal. See "Root canals (Endodontics)."
Endodontist: A specialist who treats injuries, diseases,
and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve tissue).
Extraction: The removal of a tooth that is severely decayed,
broken, loose, or causing crowding. See "Extractions."
Filling: Restoring lost tooth structure with amalgam, metal,
porcelain, or composite resin. Used as part of the treatment of cavities.
See "Restoring your teeth."
Fluoride: A chemical that is used to strengthen the tooth
enamel. Added to many public water supplies and toothpastes. See "Fluoride."
General Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness
or “deep sleep,” accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation,
as well as protective reflexes, and including a loss of ability to independently
maintain a breathing airway and respond purposefully to verbal or physical
stimulation. Must be administered by a licensed anesthesiologist.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums. Early stage of gum
disease. Treated by a general dentist or periodontist. See "Gum Disease."
Halimeter: An instrument used in the diagnosis and treatment
of chronic halitosis.
Halitosis: Bad breath. Many dentists offer treatment programs
for halitosis that are more effective than over-the-counter remedies.
Heat Sterilization: A procedure that involves a chamber
into which instruments are placed and which raises the temperature for
a period of time to kill all microorganisms. OSHA (Occupational Safety
& Health Administration) standards require all dentists to use heat
sterilization for dental instruments.
H-Wave: A device for electronic anesthesia that sends electrical
impulses blocking pain signals to the brain through electrodes placed near
the teeth. Used as an alternative to injected anesthesia, and not effective
for all patients and procedures.
Hygienist: A dental professional qualified to clean and
scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care. Certification
is required. See "Professional cleaning."
Imaging: (Also called Video Imaging.) A photograph of teeth
stored in a computer and then displayed on a television monitor. The dentist
is able to show you an image of your smile and modify that image to show
how your smile would look with new, repaired, or whitened teeth. See "Dental
technologies."
Impacted Tooth: A tooth that fails to erupt properly and
remains fully or partially embedded and covered over by bone or gum tissue.
This most often occurs with wisdom teeth. If not removed, impacted teeth
can cause pain, headaches, infection and malocclusion. Most often treated
by an oral surgeon. See "Wisdom teeth."
Implant: A fixed replacement for a missing tooth. The procedure
involves the implanting of a metal shaft, usually titanium, implanted in
the jawbone. A prosthetic (artificial) tooth is then affixed to this shaft,
providing a strong permanent replacement for a lost tooth. Implants also
prevent the gradual loss of bone material in the jaw that occurs over time
with the use of dentures. See "Replacing missing teeth" and "Implants."
Incisors: The four upper or lower single cuspid front teeth
designed for incising (cutting) food. See "Emerging tooth order."
Inlay: A custom-made cast gold or porcelain alloy that
is cemented to a previously prepared cavity in the tooth. A stronger and
longer-lasting alternative to amalgam or composite filling. See "Restoring
your teeth."
Intra-oral Camera: A tiny video camera used to view the
inside of the mouth, with the images projected onto a monitor screen. The
images allow dentists and their patients to see the inside of the mouth
in magnified form. See "Dental technologies."
I.V. Sedation: Anesthesia administered intravenously, used
for people who want to be asleep during dental procedures. It is sometimes
described as a “light” anesthesia. Special licensing is required for a
dentist to perform this type of sedation in their office. Other types of
anesthesia include general anesthesia and local anesthesia.
Lasers: Dental lasers are a family of instruments, some
used for oral surgery, some to cure (harden) restorative tooth materials
and enhance tooth bleaching, and others to remove tooth structure to eliminate
disease. Lasers are also sometimes used to treat gingivitis (gum disease).
New lasers are constantly being developed and refined, and can sometimes
eliminate the need for drilling. See "Dental technologies." Search for
a dentist that offers this treatment by checking “New Technology” in the
Precise Search portion of Find a Dentist.
Local Anesthesia: Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized
area. Done topically or by injection. Other forms of pain management include
H-wave, DentiPatch, I.V. sedation, general anesthesia and nitrous oxide.
Malocclusion: Meaning "bad bite." Any condition that that
does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth. Generally treated by
an Orthodontist. See "Braces (Orthodontics)," and "TMD."
Molars: The back teeth that are designed for grinding food
before swallowing. See "Emerging tooth order."
Mouthguard: A removable appliance used to protect teeth
from injury during athletic activities. Most effective when created by
a dentist who takes exact impressions of the user's teeth to make the guard.
See "Mouthguards."
Needleless Anesthesia: Anesthesia that is administered without
the use of injections, such as the H-wave and DentiPatch.
Nightguard: A removable acrylic appliance used to minimize
the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (TMD), usually
worn at night. The appliance is created by a dental laboratory using exact
impressions of the patient’s teeth taken by a dentist. See "TMD" and "Common
childhood problems."
Nitrous Oxide: Colorless, sweet-tasting gas with a pleasing
smell when inhaled (also called “laughing gas”), used to help patients
relax during treatment. While not technically a form of anesthesia, the
distraction and relaxation of the patient usually helps to reduce the discomfort
of the procedure. |
