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Think of this as your crash course into the unique terminology of Philips Sonicare and dentistry.
Check out this glossary whenever you need to quickly translate "dental speak" into plain old English - it's always here for your convenience.
A B C D
E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z
A localized inflammation due to a collection of pus in the bone or soft tissue, usually caused by an infection.
A tooth or implant used to support a prosthesis. A crown unit used as part of a fixed bridge.
Compact bone that composes the tooth socket. Chronic periodontal disease is the most important reason for alveolar bone loss.
Dental material used to repair carious lesions or cavities. Commonly referred to as "silver fillings".
Also known as root resection, it's the surgical removal of the apical portion of the root of a tooth.
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Halitosis, or breath odor, refers to noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. This condition can be caused by gum disease, food debris, diabetes, allergies, sinus conditions, dry mouth, or even stress.
A two-cusped tooth found between the molar and the cuspid (canine).
Radiographs that display the tooth crowns of one side of the upper and lower jaw. Most frequently used to check for decay in proximal surfaces.
A process which chemically etches the tooth's enamel to better attach (bond) composite filling material, veneers, or plastic/acrylic.
Fixed appliances used to move teeth and jaw into proper alignment.
A nonremovable restoration that is used to replace missing teeth.
The habit of clenching, clamping, or grinding of the teeth. The forces generated may damage teeth.
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Commonly referred to as tartar, calculus is a hardened and tenacious material formed by the mineralization of dental plaque.
Another term for crown.
The scientific term for tooth decay, which is the localized, progressive disintegration of a tooth. It usually begins with the barely visible dissolution of the enamel structure underneath the tooth surface ("white spot lesion"), which is followed by cavitation and bacterial invasion of the dentin.
Another layman's term for caries.
The bonelike structure that covers the root of the tooth. Collagen fibers that attach the tooth to the alveolar bone are embedded in cementum.
A valley-like depression of the interdental gingiva. It connects facial and lingual gingival papillae and is shaped like the interdental contact area.
A tooth-colored filling made of plastic resin containing particles of glass or porcelain.
The portion of the tooth that is covered by enamel. Also, a dental restoration that covers the entire tooth and restores it to its original shape ("cap").
A condition, occurring during active tooth formation in younger ages, that's caused by excessive intake of fluoride during the development of a tooth crown (fluorosis).
The protruding portion(s) of a tooth's chewing surface.
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Not all stains are caused by foods or tobacco. Some stains occur inside the tooth and are caused by trauma to a tooth, medications with tetracycline content taken during active tooth formation in younger ages, or excessive intake of fluoride during the development of a tooth crown (fluorosis).
The part of the tooth that is under both the enamel, which covers the crown, and the cementum, which covers the root.
A removable appliance used to replace teeth. A complete denture replaces all of the upper teeth and/or all the lower teeth.
Shows battery charge status and helps track battery level.
A disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is necessary to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Dental issues are a common complication of diabetes.
Called xerostomia, dry mouth is abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva. It has a number of causes, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, cancer treatment, or medication.
Allows you to switch between high-speed brushing for optimal plaque removal and low speed for sensitive areas.
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Easy-start is a Sonicare toothbrush feature that helps you get used to power brushing by gently increasing the brushing power as long as your Sonicare toothbrush is on for at least 1 minute each brushing. After the 12th brushing (or 14th in some models), your Sonicare toothbrush has optimal brushing power.
The hard, calcified (mineralized) portion of the tooth that covers the crown. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
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Material used to fill a cavity or replace part of a tooth.
A chemical compound that prevents tooth decay.
A condition caused by consuming excessive fluorine, typically from drinking water.
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The tissue surrounding the teeth; it is contiguous with the periodontal ligament and the mucosal tissues of the mouth. Commonly referred to as gums.
The most coronal delineation of the gingiva (gums). Commonly referred to as the gumline.
A condition that exists when the gingival margin has receded towards the root from its previous position at the neck of the tooth.
A very frequent form of gum disease (see below). The plaque-induced inflammation is limited to the gum tissue and does not affect the underlying bone or periodontal ligament. Common signs of gingivitis include redness, swelling, bleeding, and tenderness of the gingiva.
The group of observable signs and symptoms of different disease entities localized to the gingiva (gums).
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Halitosis, also known as bad breath, refers to noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. This condition can be caused by gum disease, food debris, diabetes, allergies, sinus conditions, dry mouth, or even stress.
Any disorder of the heart that affects the function of the heart itself or its blood vessels. Poor dental care actually increases the risk of heart disease. Likewise, people with coronary illness must be even more diligent about proper oral care.
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An un-erupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that complete eruption is unlikely.
Devices to replace one or several missing teeth. An implant consists of a metal, root-like part that is surgically inserted into the jawbone and a protruding post, called the implant abutment, which connects the implant with an artificial crown or other prosthetic device.
The four front teeth referred to as central and lateral incisors, located in the upper and lower jaws and used to cut food.
A filling that is cemented or bonded into place.
Located between the proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth in the same dental arch. Also called interdental.
The space between adjacent teeth in the same arch.
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A thin layer of cells adhering to the tooth surface at the base of the gingival crevice.
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Injection given to create numbness in a localized area of the body.
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The improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of opposing teeth.
The bone that forms the lower jaw.
The bone that forms the upper jaw.
The multicusped back teeth are used for grinding food and considered the largest teeth in the mouth. There are 3 molars per quadrant.
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A controlled mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gases that is inhaled by the patient in order to reduce anxiety and pain. Also known as laughing gas.
A synthetically produced anesthetic used for small surgeries and in dentistry. It is now rarely used since more powerful anesthetics have become available.
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Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
A cast gold or porcelain filling that covers one or all of the tooth's cusps.
Vertical overlapping of the lower incisors by the upper incisors when the jaw is closed. Abnormally sized overbite can be corrected with orthodontics or surgery.
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The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth.
The disease processes affecting the periodontium. Most common periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis.
An extension of plaque-induced inflammation from gum into adjacent bone and periodontal ligament usually leading to destructive loss of affected tissues. Common signs of periodontitis include the development of space between adjacent teeth, loosening of teeth, receding of gums, soreness, redness, swelling, and bleeding of the affected tissues.
The tissues that invest and support the teeth including the gingiva (gum), tooth cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.
A sticky, organized biofilm that forms on the teeth and in periodontal pockets. It consists mainly of microorganisms that are embedded in an organic matrix. In large amounts, it can be felt with the tongue as a fuzzy, unclean coating on the teeth. Plaque is the leading cause of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Being pregnant can exacerbate a number of dental conditions. For instance, pregnancy tumors and severe gingivitis are frequent (temporary) complications of pregnancy. Dental care is especially important during pregnancy.
Like the Quadpacer, this feature serves as an interval timer to encourage thorough brushing. The Programmable Quadpacer includes the ability to program an optional 30 seconds of extended brushing to focus on problematic areas.
Preventive dental office procedure involving the removal of hard and soft deposits from the exposed surfaces of the teeth.
The pulp is a connective tissue almost entirely surrounded by dentin. Pulp tissue contains nerves and blood vessels and makes reactions to stimuli possible. It is responsible for the vitality of the dentin and the entire tooth.
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This is a Sonicare toothbrush feature that takes the guesswork out of when to move your brush from different quadrants of the mouth (uppers to lowers, outside to inside). It beeps at 30-second intervals during the 2-minute brushing period, signaling you to move the brush to the next section of your mouth.
The dental term for the division of the jaws into four parts, beginning at the midline of the arch and extending towards the last tooth in the back of the mouth.
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A shrinking of the gum tissue away from its normal position on the tooth which results in the exposure of the root of the tooth.
This feature tells you the amount of charge you have in your Sonicare battery by using different sequences of beeps and flashing lights.
A replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth. For example, bridges, fillings, crowns, and implants are replacements.
A method of sealing the root canal by preparing and filling it from the root tip, generally done at the completion of apicoectomy.
The hollow part of the tooth's root. It runs from the tip of the root into the pulp chamber.
The process of treating disease or inflammation of the pulp or root canal. This involves removing the pulp and root's nerve(s) and filling the canal(s) with an appropriate material to permanently seal it.
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A procedure used to remove plaque, calculus, and stains from the teeth.
A composite material used to seal the decay-prone pits, fissures, and grooves of children's teeth to prevent decay.
A dental appliance that fills the space of a lost tooth or teeth, and prevents the other teeth from moving into the space. Used often in orthodontic or pediatric treatment.
This feature automatically stops your Sonicare toothbrush after the dentist-recommended 2-minute brushing time.
The removal of calculus and plaque found on the tooth below the gumline.
A narrow groove between the gingival margin and the tooth surface. It runs along the marginal gingiva on the facial and oral surfaces from one interdental space (col) to the next. In healthy gums, the sulcus is very shallow.
The combination of ultra high-speed bristles, slim angled neck, and advanced brush head design directs powerful cleaning action into hard-to-reach areas.
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The problems associated with TMJ, usually involving pain or discomfort in the joints and ligaments that attach the lower jaw to the skull, or in the muscles used for chewing.
Back teeth, also called wisdom teeth, that usually come in between the ages of 15 to 25.
Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort after eating cold or hot foods or liquids or even breathing cold air; it often happens when gums recede.
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An artificial filling material, usually plastic, composite, or porcelain, that is used to provide an aesthetic covering over the visible surface of a tooth. Most often used on front teeth.
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See third molars.
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Also known as dry mouth, xerostomia is abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva. It has a number of causes, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, cancer treatment or medication.
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Tip:
Replace your brush head every 3 months.
Find out where to buy Sonicare brush heads — click here.
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