D.)

Dental Implants: These are artificial tooth roots, typically made of titanium, that are placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, injury, or some other reason.

Dentures: These are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you've lost all or some of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health.

Digital X-rays: These are a form of X-ray imaging where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. They have the advantage of less radiation exposure, they can be viewed instantly, and images can be enhanced to assist with diagnosis.

Diode Laser Therapy: In dentistry, diode lasers are often used for soft tissue procedures, such as gum reshaping, removal of excess gum tissue over an unerupted tooth, or treatment of periodontal disease. The laser allows for precise, minimally invasive procedures.

Direct Pulp Capping: This is a treatment for dental caries that has reached the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, causing inflammation or risk of infection. The treatment involves applying medication to the pulp, then sealing the tooth with a filling or crown. The goal is to preserve the pulp and avoid the need for root canal treatment.

Dry Socket Treatment: Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur following tooth extraction if the blood clot that normally forms in the socket is lost too soon, exposing the bone and nerves. Treatment involves placing a medicated dressing in the socket to relieve pain and protect the area. The dentist may also prescribe pain medication and recommend a rinse to clean the socket.

E.)

Emergency Dentistry: This encompasses care for any dental problems that require immediate attention to relieve severe pain, stop ongoing tissue bleeding, or save a tooth. Typical issues include a knocked-out tooth, loose or broken teeth, severe toothache, or a swollen jaw.

Endodontic Retreatment: This procedure is done when an initial root canal therapy has failed and a second root canal procedure is required. During retreatment, the dentist removes the previous crown and filling material, cleans the root canals, and then refills and seals them.

Endodontic Surgery: This can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection, which involves removing the root tip and then placing a root-end filling to prevent reinfection.

Enamel Shaping: Also known as contouring, it is a quick and painless process of shaping natural teeth to improve their appearance. It's used to correct minor imperfections like uneven teeth or teeth that are slightly overcrowded.

Extraction: This is the process of removing a tooth or tooth parts. It is performed for many reasons, such as removing a tooth that can't be saved, removing wisdom teeth, or making room for orthodontic treatment.

F.)

Facial Trauma Repair: This involves the treatment of injuries to the face. Dentists specializing in oral surgery may repair skin lacerations, set fractured jaw and facial bones, reconnect severed nerves and ducts, and treat other injuries. This includes the treatment of injuries to the teeth and mouth.

Fissure Sealants: These are a dental treatment where a plastic material is placed in the pits and fissures (grooves) of back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent or arrest the decay process by blocking access of bacteria and food.

Fluoride Treatment: This is a preventive dentistry treatment that involves the patient receiving a high concentration of fluoride to promote remineralization of the teeth, which helps to prevent tooth decay (cavities). It can be in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish that's brushed onto the teeth or placed in a small tray that fits over the teeth.

Frenectomy: This is a simple oral surgical procedure that eliminates a frenum, a small piece of tissue that connects your cheeks, tongue, or lips to your gum area. The procedure is commonly performed on newborns, children, and adults who might have difficulty speaking or eating due to the frenum.

G.)

Gingival Grafting: Also known as gum grafting, this procedure is used to cover exposed tooth roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession or after periodontal disease. The grafting material is usually taken from the patient's palate or a tissue bank. The aim is to reduce further gum recession, decrease sensitivity, improve aesthetics, and decrease the risk of root cavities or bone loss.

Gum Disease Treatment: The treatment for gum disease (periodontitis) depends on the severity of the condition. Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed with good oral hygiene and professional teeth cleaning. More advanced gum disease might require scaling and root planing to clean below the gum line and smooth the root surfaces, medication, or various surgical procedures to reduce pocket depths or regenerate lost bone and tissue.

Gum Surgery: This refers to various surgical procedures used to treat periodontal disease, which affects the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Types of gum surgery include gingival flap surgery (to reduce pocket depths and clean the roots of teeth), gingivectomy (to remove excess gum tissue), and gingivoplasty (to reshape healthy gum tissue around the teeth).

H.)

Halitosis Treatment: Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Its treatment depends on its cause. It often involves improved dental hygiene, such as consistent brushing and flossing, along with tongue scraping. In some cases, treatment of dental disease such as gum disease may be required. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding certain foods, and staying hydrated can also help.

Head and Neck Cancer Screening: This involves a physical examination and review of the patient's medical history to check for signs of head and neck cancer. It can include visual inspection and palpation of the face, neck, lips, inside of the nose, and oral cavity, as well as potentially additional diagnostic tests. Dental professionals often perform basic screening for oral cancer and other head and neck cancers as part of a regular dental check-up.

Home Care Instructions: These are instructions given to patients by dental professionals regarding care for their teeth, gums, and mouth at home. These instructions can include recommendations for brushing and flossing techniques, the use of dental products, dietary advice, and other behaviors to maintain oral health. For specific dental treatments or surgeries, home care instructions may also include guidelines for post-operative care, such as how to clean the mouth, what foods to avoid, and when to take prescribed medications.

I.)

Interproximal Reduction (IPR): Also known as tooth slenderizing or enamel stripping, this is a procedure often used in orthodontics that involves removing small amounts of enamel from between the teeth to create more space. This can help with the alignment of teeth, especially in cases where teeth are crowded.

Implant Restoration: This is a procedure to replace the crown (the visible part) of a tooth using a dental implant, typically consisting of a titanium post (implant), an abutment, and a dental crown. This procedure is used when a tooth is missing or has been extracted.

Impacted Tooth Exposure: This is a procedure done when a tooth fails to emerge through the gums, or emerges only partially, at the expected time. It's commonly done for wisdom teeth and canines. The oral surgeon will make a small incision into the gums to expose the tooth, and may attach a small chain to help guide the tooth into its proper position over time.

Inlays and Onlays: These are a type of indirect restoration (filling) that consists of gold, porcelain, or composite material. They are used to repair teeth that have moderate to severe decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown.

Interceptive Orthodontics: Also known as early intervention orthodontics, this involves identifying and treating orthodontic issues as they arise in growing children, rather than waiting for all the permanent teeth to come in. This can involve guiding the growth of the jaw, correcting harmful oral habits, and creating space for erupting teeth.

Intravenous Sedation: Also known as IV sedation, this is a type of dental sedation where sedative drugs are administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein for the purpose of reducing anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures.

Invisalign: This is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that are custom-made for each patient's mouth. Invisalign is used as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces and is virtually invisible when worn.

J.)

Jaw Fracture Repair: This is a surgical procedure to treat a broken jawbone. The surgeon makes an incision in the skin or inside the mouth and positions the jawbones together in their correct positions. Plates, screws, or wires may be used to hold the jawbones together and promote healing.

Jaw Surgery: Also known as orthognathic surgery, this involves procedures to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and dental irregularities, including misalignment of jaws and teeth. It's often performed in conjunction with orthodontics.

Joint Disorder Treatment: In the context of dental care, this typically refers to treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a condition that can cause pain in your jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Treatments can include medications, physical therapy, oral appliances, counseling to help patients understand and modify behaviors that aggravate their condition, and in severe cases, surgical or other invasive procedures.

O.)

Occlusal Adjustment: The process of reshaping the biting surfaces of teeth to improve the alignment and balance of the bite, often done to alleviate problems such as teeth grinding (bruxism) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

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Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: The branch of dentistry that deals with the identification and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It involves the diagnosis of oral diseases, such as oral cancer, through various methods like biopsies and microscopic examination.

Oral Cancer Screening: A thorough examination to detect signs of oral cancer, including visual inspection of the oral cavity, throat, and neck, as well as palpation of the tissues.

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Oral Surgery: The specialty of dentistry that focuses on surgical procedures involving the mouth, teeth, and jaw. It includes procedures such as tooth extractions, dental implant placement, jaw realignment, and treatment of oral diseases and injuries.

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Orthodontics: The branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malocclusions (misalignments) and irregularities of the teeth, jaw, and bite. Orthodontic treatment often involves the use of braces or aligners to straighten teeth and improve oral function and aesthetics.

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Overdentures: Removable dentures that are supported by dental implants or remaining teeth. Overdentures provide improved stability and retention compared to conventional complete dentures.