Bonding
The name given to the process of placing esthetic white fillings. As different from amalgam fillings, these bonded fillings actually adhere to the tooth structure and make the tooth stronger. There is a slightly higher incidence of short-term sensitivity than with silver fillings, but they are very esthetic, often indistinguishable from natural teeth.

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Bridge, Fixed
When teeth are missing and there are teeth on either side of the space a bridge is the ideal way to replace the missing teeth. When there has been the loss of a tooth or teeth and there is a tooth on either side of the open space, replacement teeth can be attached to two crowns constructed for the 2 teeth on either side of the open space. This is called a bridge because it bridges the open space. When a tooth is lost 5 or more other teeth may drift so it is essential to place a replacement tooth as soon as possible. The space left from missing teeth may cause one of several problems. Teeth may drift into the space changing your bite; this changed bite may result in sore jaws, gum disease, or decay (due to more difficult hygiene).

A fixed bridge is used to replace one or several teeth. The tooth on each end of the space is used to as anchors (abutments). Bridges are not removable by the patient. As with other types of crowns (caps), a bridge can be made of metal or porcelain, or a combination of these two.

Cosmetic Dentistry can be any type of dental procedure, which enhances the patient's teeth and their smile -- thus improving a person's overall appearance and self-confidence.

Composite
The material traditionally used for bonded restorations. Made from an admixture of various glass particles in a polymerized gel-like matrix. This material is generally applied to etched enamel and primed dentin. It is then polymerized with a curing light, a visible blue light which activates a catalyst in the composite and causes it to harden almost instantly. Today's composite bonding materials are extremely esthetic because of the way the glass particles reflect and refract light similarly to natural enamel.

Dental Crown
Also known as "caps", is a dental procedure which includes reshaping a tooth and reducing its size by about 25%, then affixing a natural-looking covering, or a crown fabricated in a lab. There are many different types crowns: porcelain fused metal, all porcelain crown, and zirconia crown (also known as Lava crown). Dental crowns can be used to replace chipped, decayed, broken, misaligned, or discolored teeth. Crowns are indicated for broken or cracked teeth, and any tooth in which the previous filling encompassed more than one-half of the width of the tooth. Crowns are also still used to solve some cosmetic problems when bonding or veneers would not be adequate. Crowns generally require two visits, and fine crafted provisional crowns are placed for the interim.

Dental Veneers
They are very thin outer shells of ceramic, or a poly-ceramic material placed on the tooth surface. Veneers are a conservative application of cosmetic dentistry where reducing or reshaping the natural tooth's structure is minimal. Veneers can however result in a very positive improvement to a person's smile.

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Dentures
are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin. There are two main types of dentures, Complete Dentures and Partial Dentures. Dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, solve problems of pronunciation caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.

Endodontic Treatment
Usually known as root canal therapy, this treatment refers to the removal of diseased or dying nerve tissue from the inside of the tooth. It does NOT mean removing a root from the tooth, and does not involve surgery. The steps of the procedure are access (opening into the nerve chamber), debridement (removing the diseased tissue), working distance (measuring the exact length of the roots), cleaning and shaping (preparing the tooth for filling), and obturation (filling the root with an inert filling material called gutta percha). After a root canal most teeth require a foundation filling for support and a crown for strength. Root canals are about 95% successful, and are no longer the nightmare that they were in our parents' generation. Most root canals can be completed in one visit unless started in an emergency, and are amazingly comfortable.

Night Guard
A device similar to a retainer, which separates the teeth and often relaxes the muscles which position the jaw. A variety of configurations are used. A night guard is indicated for people who overwork their jaws at night and possibly risk damage to their teeth, jaw joints, and/or muscles. People who wake up with sore muscles, facial weakness, or a jaw that is "locked" are good candidates for this device. Some types may also be used to diagnose jaw posture problems.

Deep scaling/ Root Planing
Deep cleaning of the teeth to remove hardened plaque or calculus (calcium deposit) below the gum line.

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