Dental Procedure Definitions

Routine 6 month check-up - Regular dental visits are important in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral and craniofacial diseases and conditions for all ages. Adults need regular professional care to avoid tooth loss, the need for complex restorative treatment, and even systemic health problems.

Bitewing X-rays – These X-rays are used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as the patient bites down. The Bitewing X-ray allows the dentist to examine any tooth decay that may be developing between teeth.

Adult Prophylaxis (Cleaning) – The American Dental Association recommends a dental cleaning at least twice a year (every 6 months) in order to maintain and preserve optimal oral health. An adult cleaning consists of removing plaque and tarter from tooth surfaces (scaling) and the removing of stains (polishing).

Child Prophylaxis (Cleaning) – The American Dental Association recommends a dental cleaning at least twice a year (every 6 months) in order to maintain and preserve optimal oral health. This type of prophylaxis is preformed only on primary or transitional teeth. It consists of removing plaque and tarter from tooth surfaces (scaling) and the removing of stains (polishing).

Sealant - A dental sealant is a plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. It creates a barrier to against decay and highly effective. Sealants are only applied on decay-free teeth; teeth with big decay need fillings instead of sealant. Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars to prevent bacteria from attacking the enamel and causing caries.

Filling (Composite) – A tooth filling is a very common procedure and is used to fill up the cavities in the teeth. The process restores lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain.

Crown - A crown, generally called a "cap", covers on a tooth completely to restore the tooth's normal shape, size and function. When a tooth has been severely decayed, cracked or damaged, a crown is definitely needed.

Root Canal - Root canal therapy is removing the infected tooth nerve, cleaning out and filling a damaged pulp. It effectively saves a tooth when the dental pulp or the soft inner core is damaged. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

Scaling – The removal of plaque and tarter from all tooth surfaces. Traditional scaling is done by hand alone from your dental hygienists. With the advance of technology, electric scalers become available therefore dental cleaning can be done in much shorter period of time. However, to achieve best results, electric and manual scaling should be combined in dental cleaning.

Root planning – Root planning is used to treat perio conditions (moderate to advanced gum disease). When gum is inflamed, gum pockets become deeper, and they lose bone connections inside. The deeper pockets are, the easier it is for them to trap plaque deposits and make gum worse. Root planning means to insert the pointy front of the handle scalers into below the gum pockets to clean buildup.

Denture - If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health.

Tooth replacement/Bridge prosthetic - A set of one or more false teeth supported by a metal framework, used to replace one or more missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth can not only fix your teeth for food consumption but also fix your self-confidence.

Tooth Extraction - The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed or they have suffered the effects of advanced periodontal disease ("gum disease"). Some need to be extracted because they have broken in a fashion that makes it impossible to repair them. Teeth may need to be removed because they are positioned in the mouth inappropriately (such as impacted wisdom teeth).