The connection of two or more teeth so that they function as a stronger single structure.
Glossary Terms Archive
Space Maintainer
A dental device that holds the space lost through premature loss of baby teeth.
Sleep Apnea
The periodic interruption or delay in breathing during sleep.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the sinus that may mimic dental pain.
Secondary Dentin
Reparative tooth structure produced by the pulp in response to tooth irritation.
Sealants
Thin resin material bonded in the pits and fissures of back teeth for the prevention of decay.
Perio Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)
A cleaning procedure meant to remove contamination and infection from beneath the gum.
Scaling removes deposits of bacterial plaque, calculus, food debris, and pus that have accumulated in the infected pocket due to periodontitis.
Root planing removes any infected tooth structure, smooths and cleans the root of the tooth so that gum tissue may heal.
Salivary Glands
The glands located under the tongue and in cheeks that produce saliva.
Saliva Ejector
A suction tube placed in the mouth to remove saliva.
Saliva
A clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles.