Glossary |
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- BRIDGES
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Bridges are made of false teeth, and are commonly used to replace one or more
missing teeth. The false teeth are known as pontics. Bridges can be permanent or
removable.
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If a patient has missing teeth, this can cause several problems that bridges can
help prevent, such as bad bite, gum disease or tooth decay. Also it can improve
your smile giving you a beautiful appearance that can last up to ten years or
more with the correct care.
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Dentists use three types of dental bridges: Traditional bridges, Cantilever
bridges and Maryland bonded bridges.
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Traditional bridges, as the name states, are the most common bridges dentists
use on patients. They are made up of a pontic (false tooth) in between two
porcelain crowns.
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Cantilever Bridges are commonly used on front teeth when there is only one tooth
on the side of the missing tooth.
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Maryland Bridges are made of a false tooth fused by a metal band. This type of
bridge is commonly used when there are front gaps.
- CAPTEK CROWNS
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A Captek (capillary technology) Crown is made out of a high purity gold,
platinum group metals and silver. They are strong, durable, resistant and
healthy. Captek Crowns match your natural tooth color and with the use
advanced gold material they help to reduce the bacteria in your gums. They are a
good option if you want to have a healthy and attractive smile.
- COMPUTERIZED INJECTIONS
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Computerized injections are a system used in dental offices that control the
amount and speed anesthesia given to the patient, resulting in a pain-free
injection.
Basically it is a computer assisted delivery system that is designed to introduce the fluid at such a slow rate that it is almost undetectable by the patient. The pain associated with injections is mostly caused by soft tissue expansion. The machine delivers drops within a definable parameter that prevents soft tissue expansion.
- COSMETIC DENTISTRY
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Cosmetic dentistry includes a variety of dental treatments focused on improving
the appearance of your teeth and overall smile. Patients look for cosmetic
dentistry because they want to change aspects of their teeth to have a more
desirable smile and overall appearance.
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There are different cosmetic dental procedures such as: dental fillings, dental
bonding, teeth whitening, dental veneers, veneers, dental implants, dental
crowns, orthodontics, gum reshaping, dental bridges, tooth contouring, dental
caps, root canals, cosmetic gum surgery, reshaping dentures, to mention a few.
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Cosmetic dentistry offers a great variety of options to help people obtain a
radiant, beautiful and attractive smile. A charming smile can improve a person's
self-esteem and self-confidence as well as how they are perceived by others.
- CROWNS
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There are different factors that may contribute to erosion, cracking and
breaking of your teeth, such as age, fillings or tooth decay. In cosmetic
dentistry, crowns are used to solve these kinds of problems. Dental crowns cover
the entire surface of the affected tooth adding strength, durability and
stability.
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Basically, there are three types of crowns: those made out of metal ideal for
the back teeth; porcelain, recommended for front teeth; and porcelain fused with
metal that are strong and have a natural appearance.
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Dental Crowns can help to improve the appearance and health of your teeth, and
they provide protection for future cracks or tooth decay.
- DENTAL IMPLANTS
- A dental implant is the best solution for a missing tooth (or teeth).
Dentist all over the word recommend this procedure to patients because it is
simple, virtually painless, and efficient. The main advantage of dental implants
is being able to perfectly replace lost teeth. The patient won't notice the
difference between his natural teeth and the implant. It avoids having to wear
prosthesis, and with proper care it will last forever.
- Dental Implants are fabricated roots that are placed in the jawbone. The
procedure doesn't hurt, however the patient may experience discomfort in the
following days. The pain can be managed with common analgesics. Dental implants
can enhance your self-esteem by providing a healthy and brighter smile that
leaves you with an improved self-confidence.
- DENTURES
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Dentures are an artificial and removable extension that is used to cover the
partial or total lack of teeth. Dentures can be removable or fixed and can also
be complete or partial. Complete dentures are used on patients that are missing
all of their teeth, while partial dentures are used when one or more natural
teeth still remain.
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Dentures replace missing teeth and can help recover a beautiful and attractive
smile providing a natural appearance. Dentures will last up to ten years.
- FILLINGS
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Fillings are materials dentist use to seal cavities after they clean out the
decayed part of the tooth. They are also used to repair broken or cracked teeth.
Fillings protect, preserve your teeth from expanding decay; they will also
alleviate the teeth from any pain associated with this decay.
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Amalgams (silver fillings) are usually placed in molars and are used in deep
cavities. This type of filling is very resistant, strong and durable. It is the
least expensive type of restorative material.
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Because of interest in cosmetics, composite fillings which are fillings made of
a resin material that match the color of your natural teeth are being used more
commonly in liu of amalgam. Composite fillings are also less sensitive to
temperature changes. Gold fillings are another option sometimes used in the back
molars because of their durability and stability.
- FLUORIDE
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Fluoride is a mineral that helps teeth against tooth decay protecting them from
cavities. Using fluoride is considered important for having healthy and strong
teeth. You can find fluoride in toothpaste, water, food, rocks, air, soil and
plants.
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Dentists recommend the used of fluoride because it strengthens tooth enamel and
makes the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from sugars and plaque bacteria,
thus preventing tooth decay. If you visit your dentist, he/she may apply a
fluoride treatment of higher dosis than is found in commercial products to help
give extra protection against tooth decay and/or to alleviate tooth sensitivity.
- IV SEDATION
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Intravenous sedation (IV Sedation) also known as sleep dentistry is a procedure
in which the dentists use a proven, safe medication to keep the patient relaxed
while he/she completes the dental procedure. This drug is injected with a thin
needle into a vein; it can be injected in the arm or in the back of your hand.
The patient will remain conscious and will be able to respond to the dentist at
all times, but will be much more relaxed.
- NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION
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Nitrous oxide sedation is a non-toxic and colorless gas that helps people
overcome their anxieties. This Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas; it
is safe, doesn't irritate and it removes by itself. Dentists use this gas on
patients that need to be relaxed while they execute the dental procedure,
particularly children. The patient stays completely conscious and can respond to
the dentist at all times.
- ORAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION
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Oral conscious sedation consists of taking one sedative pill one hour before the
dental appointment. This drug makes the patients feel free of anxiety and fears,
helping them to relax. This safe pill may last up to six or seven hours; the
patient is completely conscious and can respond to the dentist's instructions.
Common oral sedation medications are: Halcion, Valium, Dalmane and Versed.
- PERIODONTAL TREATMENT (GUM DISEASE)
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Periodontal treatment is performed when a patient has gum disease. This disease
is caused by plaque and tartar which are bacteria and particles that are
deposited on teeth. When bacteria causes inflammation in the gums or an
infection it is called Gingivitis. This can cause red and swollen gums, pain,
bleeding and itching.
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You can cure gingivitis by exercising good dental hygiene; brushing and flossing
your teeth correctly multiple times throughout everyday, and visiting a
professional (dental hygienist) regularly. If the gingivitis is not taken care
of correctly, it can become periodontitis.
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Periodontitis is an inflammation of the gums around the tooth. Plaque
accumulates below the gums affecting the tissues that surround and support the
teeth, causing them to fall or loosen out and supporting bone to be lost.
- PORCELAIN CROWN
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Porcelain crowns cover a tooth and restore it to its normal color, size and
shape, improving its appearance. They are used when fillings can’t solve the
dental problem. Cosmetic dentists use porcelain crowns in the because their
appearance a more like a real tooth than their metal counterparts. They can be
used in the front or back teeth to give a more natural appearance.
- ROOT CANAL - ENDODONTISTS
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Root canal therapy is a treatment that can help save your teeth from extraction.
This procedure is performed when the nerve and vessel in the interior of the
tooth is injured or infected. The dentist will clean ducts, apply disinfectant
inside the tooth and fill it with resin or gutta-percha.
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The root canal therapy will leave your tooth clean, uninfected and without any
pain. When this treatment is completed, a crown is placed on the tooth. No pain
is suffered as the dentists use local anesthesia.
- SEDATION DENTISTRY
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Many people are afraid to go to the dentist because of all the pain and
suffering that had been traditionally associated with dentistry. Sedation
dentistry is a type of anesthesia used to make your anxiety disappear. Dentists
are using sedation dentistry with nervous patients, or on those who want to be
relaxed (almost asleep), while the dental procedure is being executed.
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There are different sedation methods such as: intravenous sedation, nitrogen
oxide sedation, oral medications and general anesthesia.
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With Sedation dentistry you won't feel any discomfort. You will be completely
relaxed and your smile is going to look attractive without any pain or
suffering.
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- VENEERS
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Veneers are thin laminates designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They
are used to improve your smile. They help with uneven tooth alignment, spaces
between teeth, chips, cracks, worn and discolored enamel or stained teeth.
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There are two types of veneers: one is made out of porcelain and the other is
made out of acrylic resin. This thin shell can create a fantastic and bright
smile; and with proper care, can last up to fifteen years.
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Veneers are an excellent choice in cosmetic dentistry. Patients love them
because they can see the results in their appearance immediately!
- X-RAYS
- Dental X-Rays are pictures of the teeth and surrounding bone that dentists
use to evaluate and diagnose problems that could be present on patients' teeth
and cannot be detected by a simple oral examination.
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With X-Rays dentists can diagnose cavities, fractures, tooth decay, bone loss,
gum disease, infections, tumors, etc.
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Because of the changing conditions of the mouth, it is important to update
X-Rays as is recommended by the dental professional.
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