Learn more about the services, terms and treatments used by our dentist, Dr. Asad Chaudhry. If you have any questions, please call our office in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at 610-317-2454.

 

Anesthetic

A chemical or medical agent that numbs an area

Anterior

A word to describe teeth close to the front of the mouth

Apex

The ends of the bottom of the tooth

Bitewing

A dental X-ray when the image is taken while the patient is biting on a tab

Canine

Describing the third tooth on the dental arch

Canker sore

A small wound on the inside of the mouth that turns yellow forms a red ring

Cast

A reproduction of the teeth

Cementation

When braces or other appliances are “glued” onto the teeth

Crossbite

When the upper and lower jaws do no align and the lower teeth jut towards the side of the mouth when biting

Dentition

The arrangement of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws

Diastema

The space between teeth

Distal

Situated spreading away from the center of the jaw

Eruption

When a tooth emerges from the gumline

Gingivitis

An infection in gum tissue, marked by redness, swelling or slight bleeding

Impaction

When contact with another tooth or bone tissue prevents a tooth from emerging

Impression

When making a cast or model of the tooth, an impression is formed from an imprint of the teeth

Incisal

The edge of the front tooth used to bite or cut into food

Incisor

The four frontmost top and bottom teeth

Lingual

The surface of the tooth that face towards the tongue.

Mesial

The sides of the tooth that are directed towards the front middle teeth

Molar

The last three teeth on both the right, left, upper and lower jaw

Occlusal

The flat surface of the back teeth used to bite and chew

Occlusion

The interaction between the upper and lower teeth when closed

Open bite

When there is space between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed

Over bite

When the bite of the top or bottom teeth overhang

Palate

The roof and tissue that make up the upper portion of the mouth

Permanent teeth

The set of teeth that appear after the baby tooth are lost

Posterior

Oriented towards the back of the mouth

Premolar

Teeth located after the front incisors and canines

Primary teeth

The initial teeth that will be replaced by adult teeth

Radiograph

A picture that is made by an X-ray

Retainer

After braces or orthodontics, an appliance used to prevent misalignment

Space Maintainer

Used to keep teeth apart after a tooth falls out, is removed or shifts position