Glossary
All-on-4® Dental Implant
One full arch of teeth (denture) supported by four dental implants.
Benign
The mild or non-malignant form of an illness.
Crown
The part of the tooth covered by enamel and not covered by the gum. A “dental crown” also refers to an artificial tooth used to cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth left. A dental crown can be constructed of porcelain, ceramic or various alloys. Crowns can be used to cover a dental implant, attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking, or restore a tooth that is already broken. A crown may also cover a tooth that is discolored or badly shaped.
Cyst
Pathological cavity containing fluid or soft matter.
Dental Implant
A modern tooth replacement option that takes the form of a titanium post that is placed into the jawbone and is topped by an artificial tooth (crown) or supports multiple artificial teeth in a bridge or denture.
Eruption
When a tooth emerges or pushes through the gums.
Fixed Teeth Implant
A dental bridge or denture that is anchored by a dental implant.
Impacted Tooth
An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that it cannot fully emerge.
Maxillofacial
Relating to the jaws and face.
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct facial imbalances caused by abnormalities of the jaw bones.
Root Canal
Space inside the root of a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. “Root canal” also refers to a special dental procedure used to save a tooth with a diseased nerve. After a dentist removes the pulp of the diseased tooth, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then the dentist places a crown over the tooth to make it stronger.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The connecting hinge between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).
Wisdom Teeth
The third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs. Pay for the costs of many treatments and procedures through convenient monthly payments.
