4201 Bee Cave Road, B104
Austin, TX 78746
Located in Westlake Hills in The School Yard Building
512-327-5210
Dental Terminology
Amalgam: Silver/mercury alloy used to fill cavities.
Bleaching: Cosmetic whitening of teeth using a certain type of peroxide.
Caries: Cavities, tooth decay.
Carcinogenic: Cancer-causing.
Cariogenic: Decay-causing.
Composites: Tooth-colored restorative materials.
Cosmetic Dentistry : Aesthetic improvement of the color and shape of teeth performed by a general dentist.
Edentulous: Having lost most or all of the natural teeth.
Endodontist: Treats oral conditions that arise as a result of disease or injury of the dental pulp of the tooth, such as a root canal.
General Dentist: Primary care provider for patients in all age groups who take responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services to meet patients' oral health needs.
Geriatric Gentist: General dentist who primarily treats senior citizens.
Gingivitis: Reversible inflammation of gum tissue not including the bone.
Malocclusion: Misalignment of teeth and or jaws.
Microair Abrasion: Drill-free technique using an instrument resembling a tiny sand blaster that delivers tiny aluminum oxide particles to the surface, where they cut away the decayed area.
Mouthguards: An appliance used to protect teeth from injury.
Occlusal Surface: The chewing surface of the tooth.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: Treats and surgically corrects diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth and jaws.
Oral Pathologist: Examines oral tissues for evidence of suspected abnormalities such as cancer.
Orthodontics: A branch of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth and their correction, as by means of braces and retainer.
Orthodontist: Designs and applies corrective and supportive appliances, braces, to realign crooked teeth.
Pediatric Dentist: Provides treatment and care for children from birth through adolescence.
Periodontal Disease: Inflammation and irritation of the gums which, if left untreated, can cause the jawbone and teeth to deteriorate and fall out.
Periodontist: Diagnoses and treats diseases of the tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth, especially periodontal disease.
Plaque: Bacterial colonies which have mineralized and attack teeth, causing dental decay.
Porcelain Veneers: Ultra-thin shells of ceramic material bonded to the front of the tooth.
Prophylaxis: Professional cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or hygienist.
Prosthodontist: Constructs artificial appliances designed to restore and maintain oral function by replacing missing teeth and other oral structures such as dentures.
Public Health Dentist: Concerned with the dental health needs of entire communities, and can design and administer large-scale prevention and dental care programs by compiling and analyzing statistics.
Radiosurgery: Surgery technique that uses radio waves to produce a pressureless, bloodless incision; can also be used to heat bleaching agents.
Resin: Plastic material used in bonding, restorative, and replacement procedures.
Restorative Dentistry: Process of restoring missing, damaged or diseased teeth to normal form and function, performed by general dentists.
Sealant: Plastic coating used to protect teeth from decay.
Special Patient: Person with a disability who requires particular dental care needs.
Third Molars: Wisdom teeth .
TMD: Temporomandibular disorder; problems relating to your temporomandibular joint which include locking of the jaw, frequent headaches, sore jaw muscles, and painful clicking of the jaw.
TMJ: Temporomandibular joint