Basic Dental Terms in India You Should Know About

Dental health is recently getting the recognition it must get. People are now more conscious about their teeth and gums, looking forward to preventing any potential damage and reversing damage in many cases. Thus, to keep this awareness fresh and new, you must know basic dental terms that would help you be updated about these. This blog highlights the basic dental terms in India you must know about to care for your dental health perfectly.

Common Dental Terms and Their Meaning

Oral Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)

Oral prophylaxis means teeth cleaning in dental terms. This includes cleaning the teeth and gums to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth.

Oral prophylaxis is helpful in preventing cavities and gum diseases and keeping teeth and gums healthy. Teeth Cleaning is recommended once every six months.

Root Canal Treatment (RCT)

A Root Canal Treatment or an RCT is performed when the pulp inside a tooth is damaged, infected or inflamed. In RCT, the infected pulp is removed, the canals are disinfected and then sealed to prevent further infection.

Dental Filling

Dental fillings are biocompatible materials that are used to restore a tooth that has been decaying or has minor fractures. The materials used for dental fillings can be– composite resin, silver amalgam, and GIC, also called Glass ionomer cement.

Scaling and Polishing

Scaling means removal of hardened plaque, called tartar, from the tooth surfaces and below the gumline. Polishing, on the other hand, smoothens the surface of teeth to prevent further buildup. These procedures are preventive measures taken to avoid cavities and gum infections.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Crown: A crown is a cap or an artificial tooth placed over a damaged, broken, or weak tooth to restore shape, strength, and function.

Bridge: A bridge is similar to a crown but contains multiple artificial teeth to restore multiple missing teeth. They can be anchored to adjacent natural teeth or even implants.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is the removal of a damaged tooth. This is usually done when the tooth is deeply affected by cavities, gum diseases, or impaction. Types of tooth extraction include simple extraction for visible teeth, and surgical extractions for impacted ones.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom tooth, or third molar, often cause pain, crowding, and infection issues while growing. If they do not grow normally and cause any discomfort, a wisdom tooth removal is recommended to prevent further complications.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a durable restoration method that helps replace missing teeth with natural-like prosthetics.

Implants are titanium posts placed in the jawbone that anchor a crown or bridge for restored appearance and functionality.

Orthodontic Treatment (Braces & Aligners)

Braces and aligners are known as orthodontic treatments that help in aligning crooked or misaligned teeth. Braces consist of brackets and wires, made of metal or ceramic while clear aligners are transparent, removable trays of plastic. While they differ a lot, their basic function is to treat dental misalignment.

Gum Treatment (Periodontal Therapy)

Gum treatments or periodontal therapy are recommended in cases of gum infections. This may include deep cleaning, laser therapy, and gum surgery, depending on the infection's severity and overall health.

Why Understanding These Terms is Important

It is important to understand the basic terms of dentistry for the following reasons:

• You can communicate effectively with your dentist.
• It gets easier to make informed decisions about your treatment.
• Enhanced clarity about the dental procedure reduces anxiety.

Though it is not often important to hold knowledge about a lot of things, it is important to be aware of the things you or someone close to you might sometimes need, such as dental procedures. Thus, research dental procedures well before committing to any treatment to ensure you get the correct treatment and boost your confidence in the procedure. And if you are looking for a dental clinic in Goregaon, visit Vista Dental Care.