Patient Education Section - GotoDentistry.com
PROSTHODONTICS (Bridges & Dentures)
Fixed Prosthodontics:
Bridge: when missing teeth, a dentist can use two or more teeth present to "bridge" the space
Cantilever: bridge with an abutment at one end and a pontic remaining unattached at the other end.
Crown: also commonly known as a cap.
Inceram: opaque layer of pressed porcelain core.
Inlay: restoration used when less than 3/4 of a tooth is present and the cusps are not missing
Laminate/Veneer: fingernail like restoration made of porcelain or composite
Lateral movement: grinding teeth side to side
Maryland bridge: a cap with one wing on either side used to attach to the teeth
Onlay: restoration used when 3/4 of a tooth and part of the cusps are missing
OPC: Optimal pressable ceramic cap
PFM: Porcelain fused to metal cap
PJ: Porcelain jacket cap
Pontic: used when making a bridge, replacing the tooth or teeth that are missing
Post and core: used in order to build up the tooth to be able to place a crown on it
Protrusive movement: bringing the teeth edge to edge
Removable Prosthodontics:
Candida albicans: fungal growth under dentures that are not properly or regularly cleaned.
Centric occlusion: a relationship of upper and lower teeth to each other.
Centric relation: a bone to bone relation.
Denture stomatitis: chronic inflammation of the denture bearing tissue.
Full denture: when the patient has no teeth (edentulous).
Hard denture reline: used when a denture does not fit well, done in the laboratory.
Immediate denture: getting a denture at the time the patient gets teeth extracted.
Maxillary tuberosity: small elevations present on the posterior upper jaw.
Overdenture: denture made over existing teeth or root tips that have had root canal. These roots are left there because they slow down the bone resorption.
Partial denture: when the patient has a few teeth (partially edentulous).
Retromolar pad: small elevations present on the posterior lower jaw.
Root caries: cavity on the root.
Smile line: the lower lip gently outlines the edges of the upper teeth.
Soft denture reline: used when a denture does not fit well, done in the office.
Vestibule: the space between the cheeks and the teeth.
Vibrating line: junction of the hard and soft palates.