Cosmetic Dentistry Vocabulary

Aesthetics:
Also esthetics. Having to do with a beautiful appearance. Refers to cosmetic dentistry.

Bite:
Also called occlusion, refers to how upper and lower teeth fit together.

Braces:
Also called orthodontics or orthodontia, braces are generally composed of wires and brackets. They use tension to realign permanent teeth for better occlusion, esthetics, and/or spacing. Clear braces or aligners, such as invisalign™ or Red, White, and Blue are now popular alternatives to traditional metal braces.

Composite Resin:
Plastic dental filling or bonding material that contains small glass or ceramic particles. Applied as a liquid and cured with a light or chemical catalyst.

Cosmetic Dentistry:
Also called esthetic or aesthetic dentistry. Procedures that correct imperfections in the appearance of a smile. Can include whitening, veneers, etc.

Crown:
Portion of a tooth that extends above the gum line. Also refers to a lab-made restoration known as a cap. Also refers to the false tooth placed on a dental implant.

Dentition:
Arrangement of teeth.

Enamel:
White, hard tissue, outer layer of the portion of a tooth that extends above the gum line. Covers dentin.

Filling:
Amalgam or composite resin material that replaces tooth decay.

Gingiva:
Gum tissue.

Gingivectomy:
Surgical removal (reduction) of gum tissue for esthetics or crown lengthening.

Impression:
A soft mold of teeth and gums to use for fabricating prosthetics and restorations.

Inlay:
Restoration made in a dental lab, then bonded into the area of a tooth between cusps. Larger and stronger than a filling, yet not as significant as a crown.

Instant Orthodontics:
Application of veneers to correct the appearance of misaligned front teeth for cosmetic reasons.

Intraoral Camera:
Small camera, usually on a "wand." Projects images from inside the mouth onto a monitor. Used for accurate diagnoses, patient education, records, and insurance claims.

Laminate:
Lab-made porcelain or plastic veneer bonded to the front of a tooth.

Malocclusion:
Misalignment of teeth that affects the bite, or how upper and lower teeth fit together.

Occlusion:
Also called bite, refers to how upper and lower teeth and fit together.

Onlay:
Restoration made in a dental lab, then bonded into one or more cusps of a tooth. Larger and stronger than a filling, yet not as significant as a crown.

Orthodontics:
Dental specialty that deals with alignment of teeth.

Prosthesis:
Also called a prosthetic, refers to a false tooth or appliance such as a bridge, denture, partial, or dental implant.

Smile Makeover:
A treatment plan that includes various cosmetic and esthetic restorative procedures to improve the appearance of a smile.

Teeth Whitening:
Bleaching teeth with chemicals. Can be done in one hour with a light or with trays worn daily for about two weeks.

Veneer:
Cosmetic dental treatment that involves lab-made porcelain or plastic wafers bonded to front teeth to mask chips, cracks, misalignments, or other imperfections.