Cosmetic Dentistry Vocabulary
- Aesthetics:
- Also esthetics. Having to do with a beautiful appearance. Refers to cosmetic dentistry.
- AACD:
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
- Bite:
- Also called occlusion, refers to how upper and lower teeth and fit together.
- Braces:
- Also called orthodontics or orthodontia, braces are generally composed of wires and brackets. They use tension to realign permanent teeth for better occlusion, esthetics, and/or spacing. Clear braces or aligners, such as Invisalign or Red, White, and Blue are now popular alternatives to traditional metal braces.
- Composite Resin:
- Plastic dental filling or bonding material that contains small glass or ceramic particles. Applied as a liquid and cured with a light or chemical catalyst.
- Cosmetic Dentistry:
- Also called esthetic or aesthetic dentistry. Procedures that correct imperfections in the appearance of a smile. Can include whitening, veneers, etc.
- Crown:
- Portion of a tooth that extends above the gum line. Also refers to a lab-made restoration known as a cap. Also refers to the false tooth placed on a dental implant.
- Dentition:
- Arrangement of teeth.
- Enamel:
- White, hard tissue, outer layer of the portion of a tooth that extends above the gum line. Covers dentin.
- Filling:
- Amalgam or composite resin material that replaces tooth decay.
- Gingiva:
- Gum tissue.
- Gingivectomy:
- Surgical removal (reduction) of gum tissue for esthetics or crown lengthening.
- Impression:
- A soft mold of teeth and gums to use for fabricating prosthetics and restorations.
- Inlay:
- Restoration made in a dental lab, then bonded into the area of a tooth between cusps. Larger and stronger than a filling, yet not as significant as a crown.
- Instant Orthodontics:
- Application of veneers to correct the appearance of misaligned front teeth for cosmetic reasons.
- Intraoral Camera:
- Small camera, usually on a "wand." Projects images from inside the mouth onto a monitor. Used for accurate diagnoses, patient education, records, and insurance claims.
- Laminate:
- Lab-made porcelain or plastic veneer bonded to the front of a tooth.
- Malocclusion:
- Misalignment of teeth that affects the bite, or how upper and lower teeth fit together.
- Occlusion:
- Also called bite, refers to how upper and lower teeth and fit together.
- Onlay:
- Restoration made in a dental lab, then bonded into one or more cusps of a tooth. Larger and stronger than a filling, yet not as significant as a crown.
- Orthodontics:
- Dental specialty that deals with alignment of teeth.
- Prosthesis:
- Also called a prosthetic, refers to a false tooth or appliance such as a bridge, denture, partial, or dental implant.
- Smile Makeover:
- A treatment plan that includes various cosmetic and esthetic restorative procedures to improve the appearance of a smile.
- Teeth Whitening:
- Bleaching teeth with chemicals. Can be done in one hour with a light or with trays worn daily for about two weeks.
- Veneer:
- Cosmetic dental treatment that involves lab-made porcelain or plastic wafers bonded to front teeth to mask chips, cracks, misalignments, or other imperfections.
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