A baseline for continuous dental care is established with the help of the periodic evaluative oral examination, which also offers crucial feedback so that you can observe your dental health over time.
Problem focused is a limited oral evaluation that reveals the facts about one's condition. The evaluation results are based on standardized, norms-based language and their orientation to give doctors and patients a clear understanding of one's condition.
A comprehensive oral evaluation is an evaluation of the entire oral cavity including the mouth, teeth and gums. It is generally performed at a new patient's initial visit to establish a baseline of oral health and to get a comprehensive understanding of that patient's oral healthcare.
This comprehensive evaluation is recommended for patients suffering from periodontal diseases. Entire intraoral, extraoral, and soft tissue health is determined to check for any underlying infections.
Intraoral - a complete series of radiography is an imaging procedure of crowns, roots, periapical areas, and alveolar bone of the whole mouth to determine oral health. It usually comprises 14 to 22 bitewing images.
Periapical X-rays show the entire dental, from the crown to beyond the end of the root to where the tooth is secured in the jaw, and are used to look for any abnormalities in the bone structure and root structure.
Extra-oral posterior dental is a radiographic procedure implemented to image the exterior side of the mouth to detect jaw and skull formation.
Bitewings four radiography is implemented to image 2-2 images of both sides of the mouth, between the upper jaw and lower jaw. Bitewings are taken to show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth in a single image. They are very useful in detecting tooth decay between the teeth.
A two-dimensional imaging technique called panoramic radiography, also known as a panoramic x-ray, is used to capture the mouth completely through a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, as well as ancillary structures and tissues.
Adults with permanent or transitional dentition undergo prophylaxis, which involves scaling and polishing procedures to eliminate stains, calculus, and coronal plaque above the gumline using dental instruments such as a scaler.
A cleaning and polishing procedure called prophylaxis is used on young patients to remove plaque, calculus, and stains above the gumline from their primary or developing teeth.
The topical application of fluoride varnish is the implementation of fluoride varnish topically on teeth to make the enamel stronger and prevent tooth decay and sensitivity problems.
Artificial enamel, known as a sealant, is used to fill tooth gaps and stop oral decay. The sealant serves as a barrier, defending the tooth from microorganisms that cause decay.
Composite fillings, commonly referred to as tooth-colored fillings, are dental restorative materials used to repair a decaying area of tooth structure. These fillings have a natural appearance and can blend in with the surrounding tooth structure since they are comprised of a tooth-colored resin.
A porcelain or ceramic substrate crown is a synthetic tooth used to restore a tooth to its near natural form after it has incurred too much decay or damage to be restored with a filling. Crowns can also be used cosmetically to enhance one's smile.
The core buildup is a dental restorative treatment that involves repairing a missing portion of the tooth with a dental filling material to support a crown restoration. A Core Buildup is recommended for teeth that have suffered considerable coronal tooth structure loss from caries or trauma.
Endodontic therapy entails many procedures, including removing pulpal tissue, contouring and filling the root canals, obturation of the root canal area, and inserting a long-lasting dental/teeth restoration.
A non-surgical procedure called root canal retreatment involves reopening the tooth to allow access to the root canal system. The root canal filling materials must be taken out of the tooth before the canals can be cleaned, shaped, and sealed. The endodontist will reopen your tooth during retreatment and remove the filling materials inserted in the root canals during the initial procedure.
Periodontal scaling and root planing procedures are carried out on each quadrant of the gum line to remove plaque and calculus from the crown and root surfaces of the teeth. It is therapeutic and recommended for people with periodontal disease.
Periodontal scaling and root planing - one to three teeth per quadrant is a therapeutic technique that involves instrumenting the top and root surfaces of the teeth to clean plaque, calculus, rough cementum, and dentin that has been contaminated or affected by calculus.
A periodontal maintenance is a form of treatment recommended to treat periodontal disease. It requires both scaling and root planing, requiring the removal of tartar from the spaces between the teeth and gums. The hygienist will remove tartar buildup from in between your teeth and gums.
Full mouth debridement is mainly performed to "clear the way" for the ensuing comprehensive oral assessment by removing any "roadblocks" and facilitating rapid healing. Excessive plaque and calculus are the barriers that prevent the dentist from conducting a thorough oral examination.
A removable prosthesis, a complete maxillary denture, is used to fill up the gaps left by lost upper jaw teeth. Dentures, more widely known as fake teeth, are often constructed of acrylic resin, and both the "gums" and the "teeth" sections are created to match the original gums and teeth.
A complete mandibular denture is an artificial tooth replacement supported by the surrounding hard and soft tissues of the oral mouth cavity.
The immediate denture is a dental prosthesis that can be delivered right after the last tooth has been extracted. It is designed to restore the lost dentition and any accompanying maxillary / upper jaw components.
The immediate denture is a dental prosthesis that can be delivered right after the last tooth has been extracted. It is designed to restore the lost dentition and any accompanying mandibular / lower jaw components.
Maxillary partial dentures have a resin base that enables them to be inserted in the space where one or more missing natural teeth once were. The anchoring effect that the mouth's healthy teeth give for this prosthetic allows for a beautiful appearance and a respectable level of comfort.
The most popular type of removable partial denture is a partial maxillary denture, comprised of a cast metal framework with resin denture bases. They are made up of fake teeth and a gum-colored acrylic base. Two or more clasps secure the denture base, most often constructed of metal.
A mandibular partial denture that has cast metal framework with resin denture bases including any conventional clasps; rests, and teeth.
A complete maxillary overdenture is a removable dental prosthesis attached to one or more natural teeth that are still present, their roots, and dental implants that cover and are supported by those teeth.
Partial Overdenture Maxillary helps in substituting missing teeth with artificial roots (mostly with Titanium) that are bonded to the origins or teeth of already-existing natural teeth.
Mandibular complete overdenture is a major dental operation that involves placing a fully removable denture on top of dental implants, natural teeth, and roots.
In Partial Overdenture Mandibular, the dentist surgically inserts implants into the upper or lower jaw for overdentures with titanium roots. A partial or complete set of replacement teeth are then attached to the implants by the dentist.
Dental implants that replace missing teeth are known as endosteal implants. The implant body is a surgical screw or cylindrical device that is implanted into the jaw, and a post or abutment is put in place, then a crown is placed on top as the final restoration.
A single metal-ceramic crown restoration known as an abutment-supported porcelain fused to a metal crown is maintained, supported, and stabilized by an abutment on an implant. These restorations are renowned for their durability and remarkable aesthetics.
An artificial tooth attached to a dental bridge is called a "pontic." The pontic is built as one or more prosthetic teeth as part of the bridge, which sits on top of the gums and looks like a natural tooth. A bridge typically spans across 3 or more teeth.
A porcelain fused to metal implant crown is a dental restorative procedure that covers a tooth to restore its size and shape and guard it against further damage. The crown's metal alloy component gives it strength while the porcelain is for esthetics.
Extraction of coronal remnants of the deciduous tooth is generally performed when the crown of the primary tooth is retained by soft tissue. Still, the tooth has no root structures remaining, making it deciduous.
Residual tooth roots are now removed with surgical methods to prevent cavities. The dentist employs a cut in the soft tissue of bone to remove the bone structure and seal the cut to close the tissue again.
Simple extraction also called a closed extraction, is the removal of an erupted tooth or one whose root has been visible as a result of injury or decay. The procedure is carried out with a set of forceps or a dental instrument called an "elevator."
Extraction of an erupted tooth requires removal of bone and sectioning of the tooth, including elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap if indicated. Includes related cutting of gingival and bone, removal of tooth structure, minor smoothing of the socket, and closure.
When a tooth tries to emerge through your gums and jawbone, it becomes blocked and is said to be impacted. In most cases, impacted teeth must be removed surgically to be effectively extracted from the jaw without harming adjacent tissues or nerves.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment includes multiple phases of treatment to treat adolescent dentition. An expander, a partially fixed appliance, and headgear are used following the implantation of an entire arch-fixed device.
Palliative (emergency) treatment of dental pain - the minor procedure is carried out at the first visit to relieve any discomfort, distress, or stress in the mouth.
A colorless, odorless sweet-smelling inorganic gas called nitrous oxide is used in surgical and dental anesthesia. When administered properly, inhaled nitrous oxide and oxygen can be a secure and reliable way to control discomfort and anxiety during dental procedures.
Dentists apply desensitizing medications to patients to seal the microscopic pores in the dentin layer of the teeth that are exposed and cause sensitivity. It is applied with a delicate brush after being dispensed from a small vial.
Occlusal guards, known as night guards, mouth guards, biting guards, and dental guards, are detachable appliances that fit over the teeth for bruxism that can help prevent various problems, including headaches, worn or broken teeth, jaw pain, and more.
If you want to straighten your teeth without experiencing the discomfort of wearing traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the answer. This type of dental care uses a cutting-edge method to effectively straighten your teeth alignment while remaining almost invisible.
For more information, please see these valuable resources from the American Dental Association:
Clinical Terms: https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-dental-clinical-terms
Administrative Terms: https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-of-dental-administrative-terms
