Patient Resource
Dental Dictionary
Your dentist should never leave you guessing about what something means. Here are plain-English definitions for the terms you are most likely to hear during your visits at Bedford Family Dentistry.
A
Abscess
A pocket of infection, usually at the tip of a tooth's root or in the gum tissue. It can cause severe pain, swelling, and fever. An abscess needs professional treatment — it will not resolve on its own. Learn more →
B
Bite (Occlusion)
How your upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. A healthy bite means your teeth meet evenly and comfortably. When your bite is off, it can cause jaw pain, headaches, or uneven wear on your teeth.
Bonding
A cosmetic procedure where tooth-colored composite resin is applied directly to a tooth to fix a chip, close a small gap, or improve its shape. It is one of the quickest and most affordable cosmetic fixes available. Learn more →
Bruxism
The habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, often while you sleep. Over time, bruxism can wear down your teeth, cause jaw pain, and lead to cracked fillings or crowns. A custom night guard is one of the most effective treatments. Learn more →
C
Calculus (Tartar)
Hardened plaque that has built up on your teeth over time. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed by brushing alone — it requires a professional cleaning. Regular dental visits keep it from building up.
Cavity
A small area of decay in a tooth caused by bacteria and acid. Cavities are one of the most common dental issues, and when caught early, they are usually fixed with a simple filling. Learn more →
Composite Filling
A tooth-colored material used to fill cavities or repair chips. Composite bonds directly to your tooth and blends in naturally — no silver or metal visible when you smile. Learn more →
Crown
A custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used after root canals, large fractures, or when a filling is too large to support the remaining tooth structure. Learn more →
D
Decay
The process by which bacteria in your mouth produce acid that gradually breaks down tooth enamel. Left untreated, decay creates cavities that can grow larger and deeper over time.
Dental Implant
A titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth's root. Once healed, a custom crown is attached on top. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Learn more →
Denture
A removable set of replacement teeth — either full (replacing all teeth) or partial (filling in gaps around remaining healthy teeth). Modern dentures are more natural-looking and comfortable than most people expect. Learn more →
E
Enamel
The hard, outer layer of your tooth. It is the strongest substance in your body, but it can still be worn down by acid, grinding, or aggressive brushing. Once enamel is gone, it does not grow back — which is why protecting it matters.
Extraction
The removal of a tooth. Extractions are performed when a tooth is too damaged to save, severely infected, or causing crowding. The area is numbed before the procedure, and you will receive clear aftercare instructions. Learn more →
F
Filling
A material used to repair a tooth after decay has been removed. Most modern fillings are tooth-colored composite, which bonds to your tooth and looks natural. Learn more →
Fluoride
A natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps it resist cavities. Fluoride is found in toothpaste and some drinking water. Professional fluoride treatments provide a stronger, longer-lasting dose. Learn more →
G
Gingivitis
The earliest stage of gum disease. Signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums. The good news is that gingivitis is almost always reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Learn more →
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
An infection of the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. It starts as gingivitis and, if untreated, can progress to periodontitis — which can cause tooth loss. Regular cleanings are your best defense. Learn more →
I
Impacted Tooth
A tooth that has not fully emerged through the gum, usually because it is blocked by another tooth or bone. Wisdom teeth are the most common impacted teeth and may need to be removed if they cause pain or crowding.
Inlay and Onlay
Custom restorations made in a lab and bonded to a damaged tooth. An inlay fits inside the cusps of a tooth, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps. They are used when a tooth needs more than a filling but less than a full crown.
M
Malocclusion
A misalignment of the teeth or the way the upper and lower jaws meet. Common types include overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Malocclusion can affect chewing, speaking, and the long-term health of your teeth.
N
Night Guard
A custom-fitted oral appliance worn while you sleep to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. Night guards also help relieve jaw tension and can reduce headaches caused by bruxism. Learn more →
Nitrous Oxide
A mild sedation option, sometimes called laughing gas, that you breathe through a small nose mask during your appointment. It helps you feel relaxed and calm, and the effects wear off within minutes after the mask is removed. Learn more →
O
Oral Cancer Screening
A quick, visual check of the soft tissues in your mouth — tongue, cheeks, floor, and roof — looking for any unusual spots, sores, or changes. This screening takes seconds and is included in your regular exam.
P
Periodontitis
The advanced stage of gum disease where infection has spread below the gumline and begun to damage the bone and tissue supporting your teeth. Treatment usually involves scaling and root planing — a deeper cleaning under the gumline. Learn more →
Plaque
A soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. Brushing and flossing remove plaque before it can harden into tartar. If left alone, plaque produces acids that cause cavities and gum disease.
Porcelain Veneer
A thin shell of dental porcelain bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its color, shape, or size. Veneers are a popular cosmetic option for chips, gaps, staining, and uneven teeth. Learn more →
R
Root Canal
A procedure that removes infected tissue from inside a tooth, cleans the canal, and seals it to prevent further infection. Root canals save teeth that would otherwise need to be pulled — and they are far more comfortable than their reputation suggests. Learn more →
S
Scaling and Root Planing
A deep cleaning that goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and tartar from the roots of your teeth. The root surfaces are then smoothed so gums can reattach and heal. This is the standard treatment for moderate gum disease. Learn more →
Sealant
A thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth to fill in deep grooves where cavities like to start. Sealants are most commonly placed on children's molars but can benefit adults too. Learn more →
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive)
A condition where your airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing briefly and repeatedly throughout the night. Your dentist can provide a custom oral appliance as an alternative to CPAP. Learn more →
T
TMJ/TMD
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint — the hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull. Symptoms include jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth. Most TMJ issues respond well to conservative treatment. Learn more →
Tooth Whitening
A cosmetic procedure that lightens the color of your teeth by removing stains from coffee, tea, wine, and aging. Professional whitening delivers faster, more even results than over-the-counter products. Learn more →
V
Veneer
See Porcelain Veneer. Learn more →
W
Wisdom Teeth
The third set of molars that usually appear in your late teens or early twenties. When there is not enough room for them to come in properly, they can become impacted and may need to be removed.
X
X-Ray (Digital)
A low-radiation image that lets your dentist see what is happening inside and between your teeth — cavities, infections, bone loss, and other issues that are invisible to the naked eye. Learn more →
Still Have a Question?
If you heard a term at your last visit that you did not understand, or you have a question about something on your treatment plan, just ask. There are no silly questions at Bedford Family Dentistry, and Dr. Maharaj is happy to explain anything in plain English. Call us at 540-586-8080 or stop by our office on East Main Street.