Glossary of Terms for Dr. Nazarian’s Practice

Comprehensive Guide to Dental Terminology

• Abrasion: The loss of tooth enamel from friction, usually caused by improper brushing or dental appliances.
• Abutments: The supporting teeth or structures at either end of a dental bridge, providing support for a prosthesis.
• Amalgam: A silver-colored metallic filling made from a mixture of silver, zinc, lead, tin, and mercury.
• Bleaching: A procedure used to lighten and restore the natural color of discolored teeth.
• Bridge: A dental appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth, anchored by abutment teeth on either side.
• Bruxism: The involuntary grinding of teeth, typically occurring during sleep, which can lead to jaw issues and tooth damage.
• Composite: A tooth-colored filling material made from a blend of resin and quartz crystals.
• Crown: A cap placed over the tooth’s visible portion to restore its shape, size, and function. Crowns are made from metal, plastic, or porcelain.
• Cuspid: A pointed tooth used for tearing food, also known as a canine or eyetooth. The upper and lower jaws each have two cuspids.
• Dentures: Removable dental appliances designed to replace missing natural teeth and surrounding tissues.
• Enamel: The hard, outer surface of a tooth that covers the dentin.
• Endodontics: The branch of dentistry focused on treating diseases of the dental pulp, including root canals.
• Extraction: The surgical removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
• Filling: Material used to repair a cavity, made from gold, silver amalgam, copper amalgam, acrylic resins, porcelain, or cement.
• Fluoride: A chemical applied to teeth to help prevent tooth decay.
• Immediate Denture: A denture placed immediately after the extraction of natural teeth.
• Implants: Metal or synthetic devices surgically inserted into the jawbone to support crowns, bridges, or dentures.
• Impacted Tooth: A tooth trapped in the jawbone that cannot emerge.
• Jacket: A full crown made entirely of porcelain or plastic.
• Onlay: A dental restoration that covers the entire chewing surface of a tooth to rebuild its structure and height.
• Partial Denture: A removable or fixed appliance that replaces some missing teeth while keeping the remaining natural teeth.
• Pedodontics: The dental specialty focused on the care and treatment of children’s dental issues.
• Planing (Root): The process of smoothing the root surface of a tooth, often performed during scaling.
• Plaque: A sticky, bacteria-laden film that forms on teeth, contributing to gum inflammation and decay if not removed.
• Porcelain: A material made from fused glass used in dental restorations like crowns, veneers, and dentures.
• Preventive Services: Dental procedures aimed at preventing disease, including cleanings, exams, X-rays, and fluoride treatments.
• Recession: The gradual withdrawal of gum tissue from the tooth surface.
• Scale: The removal of tartar and stains from teeth using specialized dental instruments.
• Sealant: A protective coating applied to the chewing surface of teeth to prevent decay.
• Surgical Extraction: The removal of a tooth using surgical techniques, often required for impacted or difficult-to-extract teeth.
• Veneer Crown: A full crown covered with tooth-colored plastic or porcelain on one or more surfaces.
• X-ray: A diagnostic tool that uses radiation to create images of the teeth and jawbone for evaluation and planning.