Bonding (Adhesion)

Adhering tooth-colored resin materials to tooth surface to create a bond.

Bonding (Composite Resin)

Process by which enamel-like resin is bonded to a tooth's surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and polished.

Bridge

A fixed or removable dental appliance, which replaces lost teeth.

Composite Resin

Tooth-colored filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles.

Cosmetic Contouring

Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.

Cosmetic Dentistry

The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.

Crown

A cap, cover, or restoration to replace the missing portion of a tooth. (This procedure can also correct general bite with individual teeth or replace missing teeth.)

Dentin

The layer of tooth structure under the enamel.

Diastema

The space between two teeth.

Enamel

The hard, white outer layer of the tooth that covers and protects the dentin.

Fixed Bridge

A fixed dental appliance (used to replace a missing tooth/teeth) cemented or bonded to adjacent teeth which have been prepared to provide anchor supports.

Gingiva

Gum tissue.

High Lipline

Where the widest smile meets the gum tissue above the teeth.

Incisor

The central or lateral front teeth with cutting edges (4 upper and 4 lower).

Inlay

A porcelain, resin, or gold filling (made to fit a prepared cavity) cemented or bonded in place to help restore a decayed or broken tooth.

Implant

A fixed dental appliance used to replace missing teeth.

Laminate Veneer

A thin porcelain resin shell that is bonded to the enamel of front teeth.

Laminating

The process of applying a thin porcelain or composite resin veneer to a tooth.

Low Lipline

Where the widest smile barely reveals the bottom edges of the upper front teeth.

Malocclusion

A bad bite caused by incorrect positions of the upper or lower teeth.

Midline

An imaginary vertical line that divides the face into equal parts.

Onlay

A porcelain, resin, or gold filling that protects a tooth by covering the chewing surface.

Partial Denture (Bridge)

A fixed or removable dental appliance that replaces missing natural teeth.

Porcelain

A ceramic, tooth-colored material that fuses at high temperatures to form a hard, enamel-like substance.

Posterior-bonded Composite Resin

Tooth-colored fillings primarily used for back teeth.

Resin-bonded Bridge

A thin metal or glass fiber-reinforced bridge which requires slight or no reduction of anchor teeth.

Rubber Dam

A thin rubber sheet applied to teeth to control moisture during dental procedures.

Veneers (Porcelain or Composite)

Ultra-thin, custom-made laminates bonded to teeth, especially effective for repairing chipped, cracked, or worn teeth.

Walking Bleach

A method used to lighten a tooth that has darkened after root canal treatment.

Whitening

The process of brightening stained, discolored, or dull teeth with in-office power method or dentist-supervised, at-home whitening systems.