Wayne NJ Dentist Deciphers The Most Common Dental Terms
When patients visit our Wayne NJ dentist office, sometimes we catch ourselves using some pretty scientific sounding terms to describe normal dental health problems and procedures.
We usually figure this out by the quizzical looks we receive from our patients, but just in case we’ve compiled this dental dictionary list of terms to help you understand what we’re talking about the next time you find yourself in the dental chair here at Wayne Dental Arts.
Do You Know What Your Dentist Is Talking About?
Patients may hear their dentists talking with hygienists or assistants and think they need a dictionary to decipher what’s being said, but usually it’s just clinicalspeak for what is most likely routine type dental health treatments and procedures.
Dental professionals may think it’s perfectly normal to say something like,
“Take care of the prophy first, then we can go ahead and address the mesial perforation on that pesky lateral incisor.”
But from the patient’s perspective, that sure sounds like a lot of hoo-ha for what was supposed to be a normal six month checkup and cleaning!
We call that a “recall” appointment, BTW.
Fret no more, we’ll be glad to explain any term you don’t know, of course – just ask if we don’t catch ourselves first.
After all, we wouldn’t want you to come back to our office in six months for your recall appointment all edentulous with xerostomia now would we?
Here are a few of the most commonly used terms heard around our Wayne Dental Arts office…
Dental Dictionary Of Common Terms & Definitions
Abscess
A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection.
Abutment
A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture.
Amalgam
A silver filling material.
Anesthetic
An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling.
Anterior
The front position.
Apex
The end of the root.
Asepsis
The absence of bacteria, no micro-organism.
Attrition
Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.
Avulsed
An injury that causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of the mouth.
Bitewing
A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together. The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavities in between teeth and height of bone support.
Read The Entire Dental Health Dictionary To See What Your Wayne NJ Dentist Is Talking About
Learn more about what your dentist is talking about by perusing our dental health dictionary…
Wayne NJ Dentist: Frank V. Maldonado, D.D.S.
We proudly provide all phases of General & Cosmetic Dentistry services for Wayne and the surrounding North Jersey communities of Franklin Lakes, Montville, Kinnelon, Oakland, Pompton Lakes, Pompton Plains, Towaco, Butler, Paterson, Lincoln Park, Pequannock, Little Falls and Fairfield.
We are also offering patients significant savings, check ’em out:
- $500 Off Invisalign
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A new beautiful smile is just a phone call away…schedule your appointment today at (973) 694-8625.
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