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Glossary of Dental Terminology

-O-

• Onlay-a custom-made porcelain filling. Usually used to restore teeth damaged by large silver-mercury fillings.

-P-

• Periodontitis-advanced stage of periodontal disease which involves the surrounding bone. Characterized by a receding of the gums, spaces opening between teeth, discomfort in the gums, and loosening of the teeth. Once know as "Pyorrhea".
• Plaque-a sticky substance that causes tooth decay, and consists of acids and bacteria or salivary substance.
• Posterior Teeth-the teeth in the back of your mouth (bicuspids and molars).
• Primary Teeth-the first set of teeth that come in, also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.

-R-

• Resin-composite material that can be mixed to match tooth color. Applied in layers and hardened with high-intensity light. Used for tooth-colored fillings and cosmetic bonding procedures.
• Root-the portion of your tooth that can not be seen and is below your gum-line.
• Root Canal-Also called Endodontic treatment, it is the cleaning out the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed, and replacing it with a material seals the inside of the root so infection cannot get back in.

-S-

• Sealant-plastic coating applied to grooves of teeth to prevent decay. Used almost exclusively on the biting surfaces of posterior, or back teeth.
• Secondary Teeth-your permanent teeth, the ones that come to replace your "baby teeth".
• Six Year Molar-also known as your first molar.

-T-

• Tartar-see calculus.
• Tetracycline-powerful antibiotic that when administered to children can cause permanent discoloration their developing teeth
• TMJ disorder-A disorder-disease associated with the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull. It is also associated with general unknown facial pain. For some unknown reason there is a high occurrence in women.
• Tooth Whitening-A process to lighten the color of teeth that usually involves some form of bleaching.
• Twelve Year Molar-also known as your second molar.

-V-

• Veneer-A thin piece of porcelain bonded permanently to teeth to change the shape, color, and arrangement of the teeth. Usually veneers are associated with the front teeth and are used to provide an aesthetic covering over the visible surface of a tooth. Some portion of the natural tooth has to be reshaped to make the veneer appear straight pleasing. This is a permanent change and is not reversible but when correctly done can make a stunning smile.