Alloy - Silver-colored filling material; may also refer to a restoration (filling).

Amalgam - Silver-colored filling material. For a more aesthetic appearance we prefer tooth colored Composite fillings when a new restoration is needed.

Anteriors (Incisors) - Teeth toward the front of the mouth

Bicuspids (Premolars) - Teeth located between cuspids and molars.

Bitewings - X-rays of top and bottom molars to show decay between teeth and under fillings.

Bleaching - Chemical or laser treatment of natural teeth for a whitening effect.

Bonding - An adhesive dental restoration technique using a tooth colored resin to change the color or shape of a tooth.

Bridge - A non-removable, tooth-supported, framework that replaces one or more missing or damaged teeth with lab fabricated teeth.

Bruxism - Clenching or grinding of the teeth. This can cause discomfort and stress on the oral musculature, teeth and bone.

Buccal - Tooth surface next to the cheek.

Calculus (Tartar) - Hardened plaque which builds up on teeth and requires scaling to remove. Scaling is usually done by the Hygienist at the semi-annual dental appointment.

Caries - Cavities, decay.

Composite - A tooth-colored filling material, also referred to as a filling. Often this is used instead of the silver amalgam filling material since it can be matched to the normal tooth color, becoming virtually invisible in the mouth.

Crown - A Cap put on a tooth which may be made of gold, inert metals, porcelain or a combination of these materials. The type of material used to make the crown can determine the cosmetic appearance of the crown.

Conscious Sedation/Sleep Dentistry is used in dentistry to help people who have fears about undergoing dental treatment. Conscious sedation refers to a state in which you are totally relaxed without fear, yet conscious. Several types of sedatives including Nitrous Oxide and oral medications are used. If you will be receiving nitrous oxide, eat lightly before and after your appointment. After your dental procedure is over, you will receive oxygen for several minutes to clear the nitrous oxide from your system. In some cases, when Dr. Centracco prescribes certain oral medications, you may need to have a driver to assist in your return home.

Cuspids - Canines or eye teeth; pointed teeth next to incisors.

Debridement - Removal of large areas of Calculus or other debris from the teeth. Debridement may be necessary before additional procedures such as a Prophy (cleaning) or Scaling can be accomplished.

Deciduous Teeth - Baby teeth or primary teeth

Dental Video Imaging - See what you smile can look like using computerized video imaging . A picture is taken of your current smile. Then Dr. Centracco creates an image of your newly shaped and whitened teeth and discusses which procedures are needed to accomplish your new smile.

Dentin - The main tissues of a tooth surrounding the pulp cavity.

Distal - Surface of the tooth toward the back of the mouth.

Edentulous - Without teeth.

Enamel - The hard, white, calcified substance which covers the part of the tooth that generally is visible above the gum-line.

Endodontic - Root canal treatment for diseases of the pulp and bone, managing traumatic injuries to the teeth, and performing related surgery to help preserve the natural teeth in a healthy state.

Facial - Surface of the tooth next to the lip.

Full Mouth Restoration - Full mouth reconstruction to accomplish a totally new beautiful and healthy smile. The full range of Restorative Dentistry required may include multiple procedures such as Implants, Crowns, Bridges, and Laser Gum Treatments. Such cases often involve a complicated treatment plan which may require coordination with an Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist or other dental specialist.

Full Mouth Survey (FMX) - Multiple X-rays taken of the entire tooth structure. For an adult, approximately 16-21 films are taken.

Gingivectomy - A form of gum surgery in which, generally, non-healthy gum tissue is removed.

Gingivitis - Inflammation of the gum tissue; a common, reversible gum disease.

Gingiva - Gums.

Impacted - Describes a tooth not visible above the gum line.

Incisors (Anterior Teeth) - These are the 8 anterior teeth including the Centrals which are the front 2 teeth of the upper and lower arches and Laterals which are the 2 teeth on either side of the centrals of the upper and lower arches.

Inlays - A gold, porcelain or composite filling placed within the cusps of the tooth.

Implant - A titanium post implanted in the bone. A crown, bridge or denture is then attached to it to restore dentition.

Laminate Veneer - A porcelain facing placed on a tooth to change the color, shape or size of the tooth.

Laser Gum Re-contouring - a relatively quick and painless procedure in which small amounts of gum tissue are removed or reshaped in order to treat unhealthy tissue, or to change the appearance of the length or shape of the adjacent tooth.

Lingual - Surface of the tooth towards the tongue.

Mandible or Mandibular - Lower jaw or referring to lower jaw.

Maxilla or Maxillary - Upper jaw or referring to upper jaw.

Mesial - Surface of the tooth towards the front of the mouth.

Molars (Posterior Teeth) - Large teeth toward the back of the mouth.

Occlusal - The chewing or grinding surface of a back tooth.

Onlays - Porcelain or gold restorations covering at least one cusp of the tooth.

Operative Dentistry - The restoring of decayed and broken teeth with silver, gold and tooth-colored materials.

Orthodontics - Straightening teeth and treating problems related to growth and development of the jaws.

Pantomograph or "Pano" - A single large x-ray of the jaws; the x-ray machine rotates around the patient's head to include the upper and lower whole jaw.

Periodontics - Periodontics is the branch of dentistry which deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases affecting the tooth root, and the supporting bone, ligaments and surrounding tissues (gums) of the teeth.

Plaque - Deposits of bacteria and debris which collect on the teeth.

Pocket - Abnormally deep space between the gum tissue and the teeth; bacteria can enter here causing gum disease.

Pre-Medication - Oral medications prescribed for the patient to be taken in advance of his/her appointment. These may be required due to certain medical and heart conditions, or may be used for sedative purposes.

Premolars (Posterior Teeth) - Teeth located between cuspids and molars

Prophylaxis - Prophy; a basic teeth cleaning.

Prosthodontics - Involves design, construction, and fitting of crowns, fixed bridges; immediate, complete, and partial dentures to replace missing teeth and restore oral structures.

Pulp - The "nerve." The vital tissue in the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Pulpotomy - Endodontic treatment on a "baby" tooth.

Radiographs - X-rays.

Recall - Appointment for a patient who is returning for a general check-up and Prophy or basic cleaning.

Restoration - Filling used to restore the tooth.

Root Canal - Space within the root of a tooth in which the nerve and blood supply is located. Root Canal Therapy is the removal of that nerve and blood supply when it has become infected. The resulting space is then filled with medicine and subsequently with a filling material. Generally a tooth that has undergone a Root Canal becomes more fragile and needs a Crown to preserve and strengthen the tooth.

Scaling - The cleaning of the teeth to remove calculus.

Sulcus - The normal space between the gum tissue and the tooth.

TMJ - Temporomandibular joint where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.

Treatment Plan - A list of treatment choices and options to correct dental problems using various procedures along with a cost estimate.

Veneer - or Laminate Veneer - A porcelain facing placed on a tooth to change the color, shape or size of the tooth..