Symptoms and Questions
From a feeling to an answer, in plain words.
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Dental terms, translated.
Dentistry has a vocabulary problem, and you shouldn't need a translator in your own appointment. Here are the terms you're most likely to hear, in the plain language we try to use anyway.
A through F, minus the jargon.
Abscess: a pocket of infection, often at a tooth root; it needs treatment, not time. Abutment: the connector piece between a dental implant and its crown. Bitewing: the routine X-ray that shows decay between back teeth. Bonding: tooth-colored resin sculpted onto a tooth to fix chips and gaps. Bruxism: grinding or clenching, usually during sleep. Calculus: hardened plaque, also called tartar; only professional cleaning removes it. Caries: the clinical word for tooth decay. CEREC: the system that designs and mills ceramic crowns in one visit. Crown: a full covering that restores a damaged tooth. Dentin: the softer layer under enamel; when exposed, teeth feel sensitive. Enamel: the hard outer shell of a tooth; it does not grow back. Fluoride: a mineral that strengthens enamel and helps early decay repair itself.
G through R, in plain English.
Gingivitis: early, reversible gum inflammation; bleeding gums are its signature. Impression: a mold of your teeth; here it is usually a digital scan instead of putty. Inlay and onlay: lab-made fillings for damage too big for a standard filling, too small for a crown. Occlusion: how your teeth meet; your bite. Periodontitis: advanced gum disease affecting bone; controllable, not reversible. Plaque: the soft bacterial film brushing removes; the raw material of most dental problems. Pontic: the replacement tooth in a bridge. Prophylaxis: the formal name for a routine cleaning. Pulp: the nerve and blood supply inside a tooth. Root canal: the treatment that removes infected pulp and saves the tooth. Root planing: the deep-cleaning step that smooths root surfaces so gums can heal.
S through Z, no decoder needed.
Scaling: removing tartar from teeth, above and below the gumline. Sealant: a protective coating for the grooves of molars, mostly for kids. TMJ: the jaw joint; people use the term for jaw pain, properly called TMD. Veneer: a thin porcelain facing bonded to a front tooth to change shape and shade. Xerostomia: dry mouth, a real cavity risk, often from medications. If a word you heard isn't here, just ask at your visit; translating is part of the job.
Words people ask us about.
What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
Plaque is the soft film you brush away daily. Left alone, it hardens into tartar within weeks, and tartar only comes off with a professional cleaning.
What does out-of-network actually mean?
Your PPO plan reimburses at its allowed rates instead of contracted ones. You can still be seen here, your benefits still pay, and we file the claims as a courtesy.
Is a cap the same as a crown?
Yes. Cap is the older everyday word; crown is the clinical one. Same treatment, two names.
What is an SRP on my estimate?
Scaling and root planing, the deep cleaning that treats gum disease below the gumline, done with numbing, usually one side at a time.
Plain talk, every visit.
Request a visit online or give us a call. Plain language is always included.