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Cosmetic Dentistry Glossary of Terms - A to D

May 1, 2007 , Los Angeles ( L.A. ) and Beverly Hills - Every profession has its own language but it sometimes seems medical terminology is particularly difficult to decode. While the language of cosmetic dentistry is more accessible than some other medical specialties, it still requires an occasional explanation.

Listed below are a few terms you likely will find useful when visiting your cosmetic dentist .

Abscess
Infection of your bone, teeth and/or soft tissue

Air Abrasion
Removal of a portion of your tooth/teeth by blasting with air and an abrasive

Amalgam
The most common material used for filling teeth. Amalgams can be made of porcelain, gold, silver, tin, copper or zinc

ANUG
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, or trench mouth, is aggravated by smoking and/or stress.

Arch
The alignment between the lower and upper teeth

Bleaching
Chemical or laser treatments used to whiten dull, stained or discolored teeth. Treatments can be performed in your dentist's office or at home, under your dentist's supervision.

Bonding
The process used to adhere a tooth-colored composite resin for repair or to change the shape and color of your teeth. Once adhered to the tooth, the resign is sculpted into its final shape; then hardened and polished.

Bridges
These fixed or removable dental appliances are used to replace any missing teeth. A bridge is bonded or cemented to the supporting teeth or any implants adjacent to the space.

Bruxism
Grinding of your teeth, primarily while asleep; often caused by stress

Calculus
Also known as tarter, calculus is a hard residue that forms on teeth that haven't received adequate tarter control. Calculus often will stain your teeth yellow or brown.

Cantilever Bridge
An immovable bridge that attaches to on just one end of your adjacent teeth

Caps
The popular term for dental crowns

Composite Resin
A plastic compound with small ceramic or glass particles. Composite resigns usually are hardened with a chemical catalyst or filtered light

Cosmetic Dentistry
Also known aesthetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry encompasses those treatments that enhance the appearance of your teeth.

Cosmetic Contouring
Sculpting and reshaping of your natural teeth by a cosmetic to make them straighter

Cross Bite
Also known as an "under bite," a cross bite exhibits with a reserve-bite relationship between the upper and lower teeth.

Crown
(1) The portion of a tooth that appears above your gum line
(2) Dental restoration procedures that cover all or most of your natural tooth/teeth.
Dental crowns also are known as caps, restorations or covers that replace the missing portion of a tooth. Crowns can be used to replace missing teeth or correct bite problems.

Cuspid or Canine
Your four "eye teeth"

Cyst
These soft or hard tissue sacs are hard and filled with fluid

DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery - equivalent to DMD

DMD
Doctor of Medical Dentistry - equivalent to DDS

Decay
Destruction of your teeth caused by the toxins produced by bacteria in your mouth

Deciduous Teeth
Commonly called "baby teeth," the first set of (usually) twenty teeth

Dentin
Inner layer of tooth structure, immediately under the surface enamel

Dental Implant
Dental implants usually are titanium cylinders that are surgically placed in the bone of your lower or upper jaw to provide support for dental restorations or appliances.

Dentition
The arrangement of your natural or artificial teeth

Denture
Partial or complete dentures are removable, artificial teeth

Diastema
The space between two teeth

LEARN MORE
Call top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser today at 1.310.550.0383 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about cosmetic dentistry .