Whether during a routine cleaning or minor procedure, you may hear quite a bit of jargon and banter going on between your dentist, hygienist, and the assistant and wonder what they’re discussing, especially as it relates to your oral health. The terminology and abbreviations dental professionals use may seem mysterious, and most patients have no idea what they mean.
To familiarize our patients with common dental terminology, we have compiled a list to help clear up some of the confusion:
Bruxism – The excessive involuntary clenching of teeth, with or without grinding.
Caries/Carious Lesions – The technical term for cavities or areas of tooth decay.
Composite - A tooth-colored, resin-based material used to repair teeth or enhance their appearance. When used for fillings, this is an alternative to metal alloys known as amalgam.
Crown - The visible portion of a tooth; also the name of the restoration used to cover a treated tooth or an individual dental implant, commonly known as a cap.
Cusps -The pointed parts of the crown on the top of teeth.
Dental Calculus – Tartar, the hard material that accumulates on teeth when plaque is not sufficiently cleared away and requires a professional dental cleaning to remove.
Gingiva – The gums, soft tissue that supports teeth.
Occlusion - The contact between the upper and lower teeth for proper bite function. Malocclusion refers to a condition where teeth are no longer aligned, often disrupting the ability to chew normally and keep hygiene correctly. This is often treated with braces or other means of orthodontic care.
Periodontal – A term relating to the teeth’s supporting structures and tissues, including both the gums and jaw bone.
Periodontal Pocket - The space between a tooth and the surrounding gum, which can become deeper and more pronounced as a result of gum disease. Your hygienist will measure the depth of these pockets during routine cleanings and exams.
Root Planing – Part of deep cleaning, along with scaling, this involves removing bacteria and tartar below the gum line and smoothing the tooth roots.
Sleep Apnea – A sleep disorder that causes temporary stoppage of breath and is often treated by dentists using specialized oral appliances.
Common Abbreviations Used:
APC (All Porcelain Crowns) – These restorations are made from a ceramic, either porcelain or zirconia, that allows a tooth to withstand the stresses of chewing as well as look natural within the smile.
CPC (Comprehensive Periodontal Charting) - This is a thorough assessment of the health of the gum and bone tissues that surround each tooth. Six measurements are taken of the periodontal pocket to determine if there’s bone loss or inflammation; 0-to-3 mm measurements are considered normal and healthy, provided there’s no bleeding. The findings from CPC are one tool that Dr. Dave uses to determine if you have gum disease.
MAD (Mandibular Advancement Devices) – These are the oral appliances used by dentists to correct OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). These devices, customized to fit each patient comfortably, allow for better rest and prevents the halted breathing that occurs with OSA.
PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) Crowns - Crowns that uses a metal base, typically made of gold or another noble metal, for strength with porcelain fused to the surface to provide a natural appearance.
Prophy or Pro – Short for prophylaxis, this describes the thorough, routine cleanings performed by hygienists as a preventive measure against gum disease.
RCT (Root Canal Treatment) – The process of clearing an infection from a tooth’s inner network of tissue, the pulp, and filling the area to safeguard against future decay. A crown is typically used to cap the tooth after treatment to return it to full strength and function.
TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) – Any dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that causes stiffness or pain in the jaw. Chronic headaches are another common symptom of TMD, and there are a variety of approaches your dentist can take to treat these conditions.
Knowing these terms can be helpful, especially for patients who may become concerned when hearing such foreign sounding terminology.
Our office is patient-driven, first and foremost. Dr. Dave is committed to listening carefully to his patients’ concerns, explaining their condition and options for treatment clearly, and providing the dental care they deserve. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today!