Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus the forms in the tooth root from a bacterial infection.
Abutment
An abutment is a component that attaches to the dental implant so a professional can place a dental crown to provide patients with an artificial, aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional smile.
Aligner Trays
With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia is a substance that medical professionals administer in various forms (gas, injection or pill) that helps patients not feel pain or sensations during surgical operations.
Asymptomatic Wisdom Teeth
Asymptomatic wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that show no symptoms of irritation, inflammation or overcrowding the mouth that deem extraction.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical test that a medical professional uses to extract a sample of tissue to determine the exact cause of a disease.
Bleachorexia
Bleachorexia is when people continue to abuse teeth whitening solutions without consulting professionals, causing significant damage to their enamel and gums in the process.
Blue Compliance Indicator (Invisalign® Teen)
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
Bone Augmentation
Bone augmentation is the process in which a medical professional rebuilds the bone to strengthen it enough for the placement of dental implants.
Bone Density
Bone density refers to the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.
Bridge
Multiple replacement teeth that are fixed in place via attachment to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.
Calculus
Calculus, also known as tartar, refers to the hardened dental plaque that forms on teeth due to a lack of proper oral hygiene.
Carbamide Peroxide
Carbamide peroxide is a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide and can help to whiten teeth.
Cementum
Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.
Chronic Periodontitis
Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontitis, involving inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth and pockets forming as well.
ClinCheck® Software
ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Cysts – Fluid Filled Sacs
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can also contain gas or puss and can occur anywhere on the body, even in or around the mouth/teeth.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Deeper Teeth Stains
Deeper teeth stains are stains that require professional oral health services and can result from certain foods, beverages or improper oral hygiene.
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Crown
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental Pulp
Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
Dentin
Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.
Dentin Hypersensitivity
Dentin hypersensitivity is when the enamel wears down on the tooth enough that the dentin faces exposure and will cause great levels of pain when a person applies pressure to the tooth or drinks hot/cold beverages.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Direct Pulp Cap
A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.
Dry Socket
A dry socket can occur after pulling a tooth out and seeing white bone in said socket. Other symptoms of dry socket include bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is the difficulty or discomfort hat one can experience when swallowing due to this disease.
Enamel
The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
Endodontist
An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating issues, diseases and conditions that affect the inner-most layer of the tooth, the dental pulp.
Endosteal (endosseous)
Endosteal is a type of dental implant that a professional places in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.
Eposteal (subperiosteal)
Eposteal is a type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.
Facial Cellulitis
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from a bacteria, most commonly streptococcus and staphylococcus, enter through a crack or break in the skin.
Gingival Flap Surgery
Gingival flap surgery is a procedure in which the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth temporarily to reach the root of the tooth and nearby bone.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Gum Line
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound in teeth whitening solutions that patients use to whiten the shade of their teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt from the gums properly that can cause pain and become infected without professional extraction.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix in place with the use of dental implants inserted in the jaw to create a sturdy set of artificial teeth.
Incisal Ridges
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
Irreversible Pulpitis
Irreversible pulpitis is when the pain in the tooth occurs spontaneously or continues to hurt after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing pain. Normal pulpitis will cease hurting directly after removing what is causing the pain.
iTero Element® Scanner
An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Lateral Luxation
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection that causes lesions to form on the face and other symptoms due to the necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone.
Oral Cavity
The term oral cavity is another name for the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, teeth, the front of the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
Oral Mucosa
The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth consisting of oral epithelium and lamina propria.
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of oral cancer that occurs within the mouth, which can also result from excessive smoking and alcohol use.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is a type of surgery that focuses on the mouth, jaw, gums or teeth. Oral surgery can repair, enhance or correct multiple issues in the mouth.
Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the process in which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months after an oral health professional places the implant in the jaw.
Otalgia
Otalgia is a type of earache that can result from multiple causes, including oral health issues and infections.
Overbite
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Periapical Abscess
A periapical abscess is an abscess that forms from inflammation containing pus in the tissue surrounding the tooth.
Periapical Cyst
A periapical cyst is a pathological cavity, roots of the teeth, that typically has epithelium in the lining and contains fluid or soft matter.
Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis refers to the inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the crown of a partially-erupted tooth.
Periodontal
Literally “around the tooth”
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious inflammation of the gingival tissues and the periodontal membrane of the teeth that causes pain and helps form deeper gingival sulcus.
Periodontal Ligament
Periodontal ligaments are a group of tissue fibers that help attach the tooth to the alveolar bone, which can sustain damage from gum disease or improper oral hygiene.
Periodontal Pocket
A periodontal pocket is a potential area of space, known as a gingival sulcus, which is deeper than normal and can contain bacteria that cause an infection.
Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is the treatment of extreme levels of periodontal disease that can involve multiple techniques to remove the inflamed tissue and infection before it spreads.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a lethal gum infection that results from poor oral hygiene, damaging soft tissue and destroying the bones that support the teeth.
Periodontium
The periodontium is the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, gums, periodontal ligament and bone.
Polyurethane Resin
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
Precancerous Lesions
Precancerous lesions are morphologically altered tissue that has a high probability of causing oral cancer to occur in those specific spots.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Pulpectomy
A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is another term to describe the inflammation of the dental pulp due to an injury or infection.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.
Relief ACP
Relief ACP stands for amorphous calcium phosphate, which helps to relieve the pain in sensitive teeth in a gel form.
Removable Complete Denture
A removable complete denture is a complete denture that people can remove when necessary, at night, or to clean.
Resin Bonded Bridge
A resin bonded bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix to the surrounding t teeth with a type of resin to provide patients with a long-lasting solution.
Resorption
Resorption is the process in which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw since there are no tooth roots to cause the necessary stimulation and proceeds to use the calcium in other areas.
Ridge Expansion
A ridge expansion involves widening the jaw for more dental implants when there is not enough space for the implants.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical therapy that involves the removal of dental plaque in hard to reach places with patients who do not take proper care of their teeth.
SmartForce Attachments
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track® Material
Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Smile-Scan
Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
Stained Dentin
Stained dentin can result from certain foods and beverages with a lack of proper brushing. Dental professionals can provide whitening treatments to brighten the teeth.
Surface Enamel
The surface enamel is the hard outer shell that protects the dentin and pulp of the teeth. The enamel is the surface that people see when one smiles.
Surface Teeth Stains
While surface teeth stains can be inevitable with age, certain foods and beverages will only promote discoloration and faded teeth.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Teeth Whitening Concentrate
Teeth whitening concentrate is the bleaching agent that whitens the shade of teeth, which is more effective from a professional and not a general store product.
Third Molars
The third molars are also known as the wisdom teeth and typically require removal in order to prevent pain and other issues in the mouth.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco use can cause significant problems for one’s overall oral health including staining and promoting certain infections.
Tooth Avulsion
Tooth avulsion is when the tooth completely displaces from the socket due to an accident or other health issues. We can replant the tooth if the patient seeks immediate care.
Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
Tooth Fracture
A tooth fracture can result from multiple sources including an accidental elbow to the face during a sports game, biting on something really hard, falling face first and more.
Transosteal (transosseous)
Transosteal is a type of dental implant that includes threaded posts which penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.
Vacuum Formed Mouthguard
A vacuum formed mouthguard involves customizing the mouthguard to match a mold of the individual patient’s teeth for a perfect fit.
Vivera® Retainers
Vivera® retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.
Wisdom Teeth Impaction
Wisdom teeth impaction occurs when the wisdom teeth are under the gums enough that an individual cannot reach them with a toothbrush.