| PROPHYLAXIS |
Polishing of the teeth during a six month check-up. |
| FLUORIDE |
A vitamin that strengthens the enamel of the teeth and helps to prevent cavities. |
| RADIOLUCENCY |
An area that appears on x-rays, which may be a signal of infection. |
| PANORAMIC X-RAY |
Also called a growth and development film, this x-ray allows all of the teeth to be seen on one film. |
| ORTHODONTIC WORK-UP |
The process of collecting x-rays, impressions, photographs, and other information necessary to assess treatment necessary. |
| SEALANT |
A plastic coating that is places in the grooves of the molars to aid in the prevention of decay. |
| DENTAL CARIES |
Cavities in the teeth. |
| APTHOUS ULCER |
Canker sore. |
| PRIMARY TEETH |
The set of twenty baby teeth. |
| PERMANENT TEETH |
The set of thirty-two adult teeth that will not fall out. |
| SEPARATORS |
Rubber bands place in-between the teeth before orthodontic treatment is started to space out the teeth. |
| ELASTICS |
Rubber bands that are used in orthodontics to hold the wires to the brackets, also may be referred to as “colors”. |
| STAINLESS STEEL CROWN |
Also called a “tooth-hat”. These are used on large cavities for extra strength and stability. |
| GINGIVITIS |
Infection of the gums, characterized by bleeding and swelling. |
| PERIODONTAL DISEASE |
What gingivitis can progress into if untreated, resulting in bone loss. |
| FRENECTOMY |
A laser surgery that removes excess tissue in between the upper front two teeth. |
| MAXILLARY FRENUM |
The tissue in between the top gums and the lips and the upper two front teeth. |
| AKNYLOGLOSSIA |
When the tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth is too short, also referred to as tongue-tied. |
| ECTOPIC ERUPTION |
When a tooth erupts incorrectly, causing the root of the tooth next to it to dissolve prematurely. |
| NITROUS OXIDE |
“Laughing gas” A gaseous medication used to relax patients during select dental treatments. |
| PERIAPICAL X-RAY |
A film used to view the entire root of the tooth. |
| EXFOLIATION |
Losing a tooth. |
| ANKYLOSSED |
A fully formed tooth that does not fully erupt and is out of occlusion. |
| OCCLUSION |
The way the teeth fit together. |
