Dental Dictionary

A primary goal of dental pain management is to take the proper steps to stay ahead of discomfort so it does not deteriorate into pain.

Your dentist will consider a variety of medications when developing a pain management strategy. There is no specific regimen that is guaranteed to produce the right level of pain relief for everyone in every situation. Your dentist will consider factors including your health, lifestyle, and medications you take when recommending an appropriate strategy.

A panoramic X-ray image shows all of your teeth, and may also help identify potential disease in your head, neck, or jaw bones. The image is taken in a circular path around your head.

Panoramic X-rays are often used to evaluate the development of your wisdom teeth and assess if they may need to be removed. Your dentist may also use panoramic X-ray images to check for calcification in the carotid arteries, which can increase your risk of a stroke.

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who is specially trained to provide dental care to children.

Pedicle soft tissue grafts are used to cover an exposed tooth root.

What to expect

• Before the procedure, your dentist will review your dental and medical history. If your dentist has concerns, they may need to consult with your physician. Based on their conclusions, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics that you will need to take prior to the procedure.
• Your dentist will numb the areas to be treated with local anesthetic, taking into account any specific health conditions you may have.
• An incision will be made to loosen a piece of gum tissue around the tooth. Generally, this incision can be made without severing it from the underlying tissue.
• The tooth root surface will be prepared so that the repositioned tissue will adhere well. This may involve scaling the root to clean it, etching the surface with an acid, and applying antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Your dentist will reposition the loosened gum tissue to cover the exposed tooth root, and suture the tissue in its new location.
• Because the site is often tender following the procedure, you may need to take pain relievers and/or anti-inflammatory medications for a few days.
• Your dentist will give you instructions for post-treatment home care, taking into account. your unique medical or dental conditions. It is essential to follow the instructions. This will significantly increase your chances for a successful outcome. You should request a copy of these instructions so you can refer to them later.
• Your dentist may recommend a follow-up visit to assess your healing and to remove any sutures.

Periapical X-ray images show one or more teeth, including the roots. They are typically used to diagnose conditions of the teeth and jawbones if you report a problem.

Periapical images are generally ordered by dentists to get a baseline dental record for a new, adult patient. They are not routinely taken at routine exams, but may be used to monitor teeth that may have a problem. They are rarely exposed in children and adolescents unless one or more teeth has suffered trauma.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that damages your gum tissue and the fibers that connect your gums to your teeth and tooth-supporting bone. Without proper oral hygiene and treatment, it can cause your teeth to loosen and lead to tooth and bone loss. It is mostly preventable, but it is not curable. Once you have periodontal disease, it can be effectively treated, but will need to be managed for the rest of your life.

Periodontal disease is not curable, but can be managed with regular evaluations, ongoing treatment, and excellent oral care at home.

Periodontal maintenance is different from a regular tooth cleaning. Periodontal maintenance removes the plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line in areas where disease may have damaged the connective fibers that stabilize your teeth. It may also require scaling and root planing in specific sites. It is considered a deeper cleaning because once you have periodontal disease, you have pockets in your gums that extend deeper than normal professional cleanings and home oral care can reach.

Periodontal surgery involves the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the gums and tooth-supporting bone. Each periodontal surgical procedure is designed to address specific issues and provide specific benefits. There are two categories of procedures.

1. The removal of problematic tissue (resective periodontal surgery).
2. The rebuilding of gums and bone which have been lost to disease (regenerative periodontal surgery).

A periodontist is a surgically-oriented dentist who has undergone two to three years of additional training beyond a four year dental degree. They specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and abnormal conditions of the gums and the bone around teeth.

Permanent teeth are the thirty-two adult teeth that replace baby (primary) teeth.

Plaque is a sticky film containing saliva and bacteria that attaches to the tooth surface above and below the gum line. If it is not removed by daily brushing, flossing and regular professional care, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important at every stage of your life, but especially if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Oral conditions have been associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and an increased risk of tooth decay in newborns. It is essential to learn about the connections between pregnancy and oral health and take the steps necessary to ensure you do everything possible to protect yourself and your baby.

Primary (baby) teeth are a child's first set of 20 teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent (adult) teeth.

A professional tooth cleaning removes tartar and surface stains from your teeth. It also helps prevent tooth decay and reverse gingivitis, which can progress to periodontal disease. For people without periodontal disease, prophylaxis focuses on exposed teeth, and does not descend beyond three millimeters below your gum line.

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the tooth pulp. It is a common cause of toothaches and typically requires professional treatment to address.