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About Dentistry What Is Dentistry? Is Dentistry Right for Me? How Do I Choose?

Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Dentistry Credentials

Endodontics
Endodontics is another name for root canal therapy. Inside each tooth is a thread (the pulp) which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. (Source: ADA)

GumTreatment
Gum treatment can take many non-surgical forms to reduce gingivitis and improve your mouth's health. For example, root planing and scaling remove toxins and bacteria from the root surfaces of the teeth, where they meet the gums. Calculus (sometimes called tartar, diseased cementum, and/or dentin) are also scaled away. These procedures are used as complete treatment in some stages of periodontal disease (see 'Periodontics' below).

Halitosis
Halitosis is another name for bad breath. It's an unpleasant condition that's cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren't even aware there's a problem. If you're concerned about bad breath, your dentist can help identify the cause and, if it's due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it(Source: ADA).

Implants
Implants offer an alternative to crowns, conventional bridges or dentures when replacing missing teeth. Surgically placed below the gums, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth. Implants offer stability, but candidates need healthy gums and adequate bone for support.(Source: ADA)

Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery corrects injuries and defects in the neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and facial region. Maxillofacial surgeons have usually qualified initially in dentistry, and then undergone further surgical training.

Orofacial Pain
Orofacial pain can result from complex, chronic disorders requiring individualized treatment plans to help improve each patient's unique problem. Symptoms include facial pain, headache, earache, neck pain and difficulty with jaw function.

Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is used for straightening teeth and for bite correction through the use of braces.

Periodontics
Periodontic treatments keep healthy the tissues that support your teeth. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. The two major stages of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form that only affects the gums, but it may lead to more serious, destructive forms called periodontitis(Source: ADA).

Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the specialty of aesthetic, implant and reconstructive dentistry. Treatments may involve the use devices such as bridges, implants, prostheses and dentures. Cosmetic dentistry, implants and joint problems all fall under the field of prosthodontics.

TMJ
TMJ is the name commonly used to refer to pain or dysfunction of the jaw (the Temporomandibular joint). The same disorder is also abbreviated as TMD (Temporomandibular joint disorder). The terms are used to refer to a group of problems involving the TMJs and the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessles, and other tissues associated with them. Some practitioners might include the neck, the back and even the whole body in describing problems with the TMJs.

Whitening
This procedure reduces tooth discoloration and staining, resulting in a brighter smile.