Miscellaneous
Additional Dental Information
- Consultations- Second Opinions Available- CareCredit Accepted
Related Links
Here at Anamosa Dental Associates, we want to make sure you are as informed as possible about your dental health. Further information is available here. If you have any questions, call our office at (319) 462-2531.
The ADA is the largest professional organization of dental professionals and a great source of information on dental and oral health topics.
The AGD is an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education and reliable consumer information.
The AAID has advanced the standard of care for comprehensive implant dentistry since 1951.
The AACD is the world's largest cosmetic dental membership organization.
CareCredit, a GE Money Company, offers health care patient payment plans for treatments and procedures your insurance doesn't cover.
Glossary of Terms
-A-
Abscess
- infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease
Amalgam
- a silver and mercury material used for fillings
Anesthetic
- a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures
Anterior
- the teeth in the front of your mouth
Apex
- the very tip of the root of a tooth
Aspirator
- a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth
-B-
Bonding
- a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage
Bridge
- one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth
Bruxism
- the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping
-C-
Calculus
- the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar
Canine
- the pointy teeth just behind the laterals
Caries
- another name for cavities or decayed teeth
Cavity
- a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay
Central
- the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth
Crown
- an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal
Cuspid
- the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines
-D-
Decalcification
- the loss of calcium from the teeth
Dental implants
- an implant is attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth
Dentures
- a removable set of artificial teeth
-E-
Enamel
- the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line
Endodontist
- a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth)
Extraction
- the removal of a tooth or teeth
-F-
Filling
- a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity
Fluoride
- a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay
-G-
Gingivitis
- inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth
Gums
- the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth
-I-
Impacted tooth
- often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction
Incisor
- one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth
Inlays
- a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth
-L-
Lateral
- these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals
-N-
Nightguard
- a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth; also used to treat TMJ
-P-
Pedodontist
- also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth
Periodontist
- a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease
Plaque
- a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay
Posterior teeth
- the teeth in the back of the mouth
Primary teeth
- also known as "baby teeth"
Prosthodontist
- a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth
-R-
Root
- the portion of the tooth below your gum line
Root canal
- cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed
-S-
Sealant
- plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children
Secondary teeth
- the permanent teeth
Sleep apnea
- a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night
-T-
TMJ syndrome
- a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw, often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.
Tooth whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth
-V-
Veneer
- a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth
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