Enamel:  The highly calcified covering over the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body. See "What are teeth made of?" 

Endodontics:  The branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth. The most common procedure is a root canal. See "Root canals (Endodontics)." 

Endodontist:  A specialist who treats injuries, diseases, and infections of the tooth pulp (nerve tissue). 

Extraction:  The removal of a tooth that is severely decayed, broken, loose, or causing crowding. See "Extractions." 

Filling:  Restoring lost tooth structure with amalgam, metal, porcelain, or composite resin. Used as part of the treatment of cavities. See "Restoring your teeth." 

Fluoride:  A chemical that is used to strengthen the tooth enamel. Added to many public water supplies and toothpastes. See "Fluoride." 

General Anesthesia:  A controlled state of unconsciousness or “deep sleep,” accompanied by a partial or complete loss of pain sensation, as well as protective reflexes, and including a loss of ability to independently maintain a breathing airway and respond purposefully to verbal or physical stimulation. Must be administered by a licensed anesthesiologist. 

Gingivitis:  Inflammation of the gums. Early stage of gum disease. Treated by a general dentist or periodontist. See "Gum Disease." 

Halimeter: An instrument used in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic halitosis. 

Halitosis:  Bad breath. Many dentists offer treatment programs for halitosis that are more effective than over-the-counter remedies. 

Heat Sterilization:  A procedure that involves a chamber into which instruments are placed and which raises the temperature for a period of time to kill all microorganisms. OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards require all dentists to use heat sterilization for dental instruments. 

H-Wave:  A device for electronic anesthesia that sends electrical impulses blocking pain signals to the brain through electrodes placed near the teeth. Used as an alternative to injected anesthesia, and not effective for all patients and procedures. 

Hygienist:  A dental professional qualified to clean and scale teeth. They also educate patients on proper dental care. Certification is required. See "Professional cleaning." 

Imaging:  (Also called Video Imaging.) A photograph of teeth stored in a computer and then displayed on a television monitor. The dentist is able to show you an image of your smile and modify that image to show how your smile would look with new, repaired, or whitened teeth. See "Dental technologies."

Impacted Tooth:  A tooth that fails to erupt properly and remains fully or partially embedded and covered over by bone or gum tissue. This most often occurs with wisdom teeth. If not removed, impacted teeth can cause pain, headaches, infection and malocclusion. Most often treated by an oral surgeon. See "Wisdom teeth." 

Implant:  A fixed replacement for a missing tooth. The procedure involves the implanting of a metal shaft, usually titanium, implanted in the jawbone. A prosthetic (artificial) tooth is then affixed to this shaft, providing a strong permanent replacement for a lost tooth. Implants also prevent the gradual loss of bone material in the jaw that occurs over time with the use of dentures. See "Replacing missing teeth" and "Implants." 

Incisors:  The four upper or lower single cuspid front teeth designed for incising (cutting) food. See "Emerging tooth order." 

Inlay:  A custom-made cast gold or porcelain alloy that is cemented to a previously prepared cavity in the tooth. A stronger and longer-lasting alternative to amalgam or composite filling. See "Restoring your teeth." 

Intra-oral Camera:  A tiny video camera used to view the inside of the mouth, with the images projected onto a monitor screen. The images allow dentists and their patients to see the inside of the mouth in magnified form. See "Dental technologies." 

I.V. Sedation:  Anesthesia administered intravenously, used for people who want to be asleep during dental procedures. It is sometimes described as a “light” anesthesia. Special licensing is required for a dentist to perform this type of sedation in their office. Other types of anesthesia include general anesthesia and local anesthesia.

Lasers:  Dental lasers are a family of instruments, some used for oral surgery, some to cure (harden) restorative tooth materials and enhance tooth bleaching, and others to remove tooth structure to eliminate disease. Lasers are also sometimes used to treat gingivitis (gum disease). New lasers are constantly being developed and refined, and can sometimes eliminate the need for drilling. See "Dental technologies." Search for a dentist that offers this treatment by checking “New Technology” in the Precise Search portion of Find a Dentist. 

Local Anesthesia:  Relieves the sensation of pain in a localized area. Done topically or by injection. Other forms of pain management include H-wave, DentiPatch, I.V. sedation, general anesthesia and nitrous oxide. 

Malocclusion:  Meaning "bad bite." Any condition that that does not conform to the normal bite of the teeth. Generally treated by an Orthodontist. See "Braces (Orthodontics)," and "TMD." 

Molars:  The back teeth that are designed for grinding food before swallowing. See "Emerging tooth order." 

Mouthguard:  A removable appliance used to protect teeth from injury during athletic activities. Most effective when created by a dentist who takes exact impressions of the user's teeth to make the guard. See "Mouthguards." 

Needleless Anesthesia: Anesthesia that is administered without the use of injections, such as the H-wave and DentiPatch.

Nightguard:  A removable acrylic appliance used to minimize the effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism) or joint problems (TMD), usually worn at night. The appliance is created by a dental laboratory using exact impressions of the patient’s teeth taken by a dentist. See "TMD" and "Common childhood problems." 

Nitrous Oxide:  Colorless, sweet-tasting gas with a pleasing smell when inhaled (also called “laughing gas”), used to help patients relax during treatment. While not technically a form of anesthesia, the distraction and relaxation of the patient usually helps to reduce the discomfort of the procedure.