With just about every specialty service that requires years of training and preparation, a whole jargon of acronyms and foreign sounding words always follow close behind. Dentistry is no exception to that rule. At Wildflower Dental & Orthodontics, we want our patients to feel comfortable while talking to Dr. Walkington and our hygienists, so we put together this guide to help better your knowledge of dental terminology. You’ll be in the loop with your dental expertise and savvy.

Crowns

No, we’re not talking about Game of Thrones; dental crowns will last much longer than your favorite character. Crowns are a restorative and long-lasting solution to fixing broken, chipped, or severely decayed teeth. Sometimes crowns will be used with other dental solutions such as dentures or implants. If applied early enough, crowns could save you from having major work needed later on.

Bridges

Bridges are used when one or more teeth are missing. By attaching crowns on either side of the gap, a dental bridge will replace your teeth in a natural looking way. Bridges are a comfortable and permanent option for replacing teeth.

Inlays & Onlays

Restorative inlays & onlays or much like crowns and fillings, restoring your smile to it’s natural state. If you need a restoration that is larger than a filling but too small for a crown, then you are an inlay or onlay candidate! The difference between the two is an inlay will fit inside the top edges of the tooth, and an onlay will extend over and outside the top.

Periodontal care

Periodontal care pertains to the treatment of your gums. Bacteria love to attach onto your teeth and gums, and while your teeth have hard enamel covering them, your gums are completely exposed. The symptoms of gum disease are swelling, bleeding, redness and tenderness. If you have any of those symptoms, then you will need periodontal care!

Intraoral camera

An intraoral camera allows us to show you what we are seeing inside your mouth by taking digital photographs. These pictures are high quality and very clear, allowing us to study them closer and identify problems earlier and faster. Say cheese!

Cerec

Cerec is a specialized computer that will create a brand new crown for your teeth based on the images supplied by a 3D camera, all during a single visit! Your new crown will feel and look completely natural. No longer are the days you have to get an uncomfortable mold made, and then wait weeks while the mold gets sent to a lab where they make your crown. Same-Day crowns with Cerec will allow you to walk out with a brand new smile!

Come impress us with your newly acquired dental terminology. You’ll be talking like a pro!