Dr. Caldwell’s Office Glossary
Cookie Dough - impression material used to make a model of the mouth.
Funny Nose - the term used to describe the nasal mask used for administering nitrous oxide.
Picture - the term used for an X-ray.
Mr. Thirsty - the suction used to remove water from your mouth.
Sleepy juice - (Shot) administering of local anesthetic to numb the area. ”We are going to paint sleepy juice on your tooth.”
Sleepy Gel -topical gel used to numb tissue prior to anesthetic.
Tooth counter - (Probe) term used to describe the instrument used to check for cavities
Tooth Print - impression or the making of a model of the mouth.
Water Whistle - (Drill) the hand piece or instrument used to prepare a tooth for a restoration.
Wiggle- (Pull) “We are going to wiggle out your tooth.”
Dental Glossay
-A-
Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease.
Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings.
Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures.
Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth.
Antiseptic - an agent that can be applied to living tissues to destroy germs.
Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth.
Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth.
-B-
Bleaching Agent - a gel used to whiten and brighten teeth.
Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage.
Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth.
Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping.
-C-
Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.
Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals.
Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth.
Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay.
Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth.
Conscious Sedation - sedation that allows the patient to be conscious and respond to commands.
Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal.
Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines.
-D-
Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth.
Deciduous Teeth - also called "baby teeth."
Demerol and Phenergan - a narcotic medication used to obtain conscious sedation.
Dental Implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.
Denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.
-E-
Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line.
Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth).
Exfoliation- The process in which baby teeth are lost.
Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth.
-F-
Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity.
Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay.
-G-
Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.
Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
-I-
Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction.
Incisal - related to incisors (see below).
Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth.
Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth.
Instant Orthodontics - alternative to braces using bonded porcelain veneers or crowns.
-L-
Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals.
-N-
Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth. Often used to treat TMJ.
-P-
Panorex - an X-ray that shows the upper and lower jaws and all dentition.
Papoose - a blanket like devise used to restrain a patient. (This is rarely used and only when absolutely necessary.)
Pedontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth.
Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease.
Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth.
Pulpotomy - a treatment done on the nerve of a baby tooth to clean out the infected part of the tooth.
Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth" or deciduous teeth.
Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
-R-
Resin Crown - astainless steel crown with a white enamel coating used for primary teeth.
Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line.
Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed.
-S-
Stainless Steel Crown -a pre-fabricated crown of stainless steel used to restore primary teeth.
Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children.
Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth.
Six-Year Molar - commonly known as "the first molar."
-T-
Tartar - See calculus.
Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth.
Twelve-Year Molar - commonly known as "the second molar."
-V-
Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth.
Versed -a medication used for sedation.