Periodontal Glossary | Orthodontic Glossary
-A-
abscess
infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease.
aggressive periodontitis
advanced form of periodontitis where bone is destroyed and rapid attachment loss is evident; occurring in normally healthy patients.
-B-
bone graft
bone that is removed from part of a patient’s body and transferred to another area; also can include bone marrow.
-C-
calculus
the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
chronic periodontitis
most common form of periodontitis; form of periodontitis where supporting tissues are inflamed, gums recede, periodontal pockets form and bone and attachment loss are progressive.
crown lengthening
procedure used to correct teeth that appear too short, or “gummy” smiles, by reshaping the gum and supporting tissues to expose more of the tooth.
-D-
dental plaque
a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
denture
a removable set of artificial teeth.
-F-
flap surgery
a procedure where the infection is cleaned out of a periodontal pocket through an incision in the gum. The gum flap is then repositioned to help reduce the pocket and encourage healing.
-G-
gingiva
the tissues surrounding the teeth; also known as the gum.
gingivectomy
the removal of gum tissue to eradicate a periodontal pocket.
Gingivitis
inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
Grafts
living tissue is joined with injured tissue in order to repair a damaged area or counteract a defect.
-H-
halitosis
commonly known as bad breath.
-I-
implants
an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.
-M-
maintenance therapy
a continuing program used to help prevent further infection from occurring in patients who have already received periodontal treatment.
-O-
osseointegration
the three to six-month process where the bone attaches to a dental implant.
osseous surgery
any surgery pertaining to the bone supporting the teeth.
-P-
periodontal ligament
tissue that affixes the tooth to the bone.
periodontal pocket
a space formed when the gums pull away from the teeth; this occurs when plaque breaks down the gum and supporting tissues below the gumline.
periodontics
an area of dentistry that specializes in the treatment of the teeth’s supporting tissues and placement and preservation of dental implants.
periodontist
a general dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, as well as dental implant placement; additional training of up to three years after dental school is required for this specialization.
-R-
regeneration
procedure used to regenerate lost periodontal structures, such as bone, ligaments and connective tissue attachments, that support the teeth.
ridge augmentation
procedure used to repair a defect in the bony ridge.
root planing
the process of smoothing the root of the tooth so any remaining tartar is removed and clearing away any rough areas that bacteria below the gumline thrive in.
root scaling
process involving the scraping and removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth either above or below the gumline.
-S-
sedation dentistry
refers to the use of sedation during dental treatment; endorsed by the American Dental Association as an effective way to make many patients comfortable during their dental visit.
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-A-
archwire
A wire engaged in orthodontic attachments, affixed to the crowns of two or more teeth and capable of causing or guiding tooth movement.
-B-
band (orthodontic)
A thin metal ring, usually stainless steel, which serves to secure orthodontic attachments to a tooth. The band, with orthodontic attachments welded or soldered to it, is closely adapted to fit the contours of the tooth and then cemented into place.
bracket
An orthodontic attachment that is secured to a tooth (either by bonding or banding) for the purpose of engaging an archwire. Brackets can be fabricated from metal, ceramic or plastic.
-C-
ceramic brackets
Crystalline, alumina, tooth-shade or clear synthetic sapphire brackets that are aesthetically more attractive than conventional metal attachments.
crowding
Dental malalignment caused by inadequate space for the teeth.
-D-
debanding
The removal of cemented orthodontic bands.
-E-
elastics (rubber bands)
Used to move teeth in prescribed direction (commonly connected to molar band and upper ball hook). Found in numerous colors for better appearance.
-G-
gingiva
The tissue that surrounds the teeth, consisting of a fibrous tissue that is continuous with the periodontal ligament and mucosal covering.
-H-
headgear
Generic term for extraoral traction (attached around the back side of the head) for growth modification, tooth movement and anchorage.
Herbst appliance
Fixed or removable appliance designed commonly for overbite problems and more.
-I-
imaging
The process of acquiring representations of structures in either two or three dimensions.
-L-
lingual
Of or pertaining to the tongue. A term used to describe surfaces and directions toward the tongue.
lingual appliances
Orthodontic appliances fixed to the lingual surface of the teeth.
-M-
maxillary
Of or pertaining to the upper jaw. May be used to describe teeth, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances or facial structures.
-O-
orthodontist
A dental specialist who has completed an advanced post-doctoral course, accredited by the American Dental Association, of at least two academic years in the special area of orthodontics.
orthognathic surgery
Surgery to alter relationships of teeth and/or supporting bones, usually accomplished in conjunction with orthodontic therapy.
overbite
Vertical overlapping of upper teeth over lower teeth, usually measured perpendicular to the occlusal plane.
-R-
radiograph
A permanent image, typically on film, produced by ionizing radiation. Sometimes called an X-ray after the most common source of image-producing radiation.
retainer
Any orthodontic appliance, fixed or removable, used to maintain the position of the teeth following corrective treatment.
retention
The passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction during which retaining appliances may be used.
-S-
straight wire appliance
A variation of the edgewise appliance in which brackets are angulated to minimize multiple archwire bends. Brackets and molar tubes ha
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