When it comes to your dental health, it is important to know and understand commonly confused dental terms and procedures so that you can make the best and most informed decision about your oral care. Talk to your dentist about anything you don’t understand and ask any questions you have! We are here to help you understand your oral health. Often, patients have a grasp of general dental terms, but it can be easy to get them mixed up or confused with other terms. Below is a list of six commonly confused dental terms and how to interpret them.
Commonly Confused Dental Terms: Dentist or Orthodontist?
Some commonly confused dental terms include dentist vs orthodontist. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. There is a difference in scope and specialization between dentists and orthodontists. Therefore, the reasons for going to a dentist or an orthodontist may differ depending on your dental needs.
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Dentist: Dentists specialize in oral health. Dental treatment is not exclusive to teeth and gums. It includes inspections of the mouth, neck, jaw, tongue, salivary glands and the nervous system of the neck and head for proper diagnosis and prevention of oral diseases and other health risks.
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Orthodontist: An orthodontist is a type of dentist that has received orthodontic education beyond dental school. Orthodontists primarily focus on dental irregularities and are responsible for diagnosing, intercepting and correcting them.
Commonly Confused Dental Terms: Bridge or Crown?
Dental bridges and dental crowns are common types of cosmetic dentistry. Both bridges and crowns provide a way to improve the appearance of teeth.
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Bridge: Bridges are prosthetic devices that look and feel like natural teeth, intended to fill gaps in your smile. These bridges are bonded to two abutment teeth with the use of dental crowns or implants to keep the bridge in place, and can be permanent or removable depending on your goals and needs.
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Crown: Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed overtop existing teeth to restore and cover chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged teeth.
Commonly Confused Dental Terms: Plaque or Tartar?
Plaque and tartar are often used as synonyms for each other, but what separates them is the level of severity when it comes to build up. It is important to treat plaque before it gets to the point of tartar, which is also known as calculus, due to the difficulty of removal after plaque has developed to tartar.
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Plaque: When food and drink particles remain on the teeth, bacteria and other substances cause a sticky film called plaque to build up on teeth. When plaque is not removed with regular brushing and flossing, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
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Tartar: Tartar happens when plaque is not removed regularly and is allowed to harden and create calculus. Once plaque has turned into tartar, it cannot be removed by a toothbrush and must be removed by a dentist during a dental cleaning.
These are just a few commonly confused dental terms. If at any time during your regular check-up you hear a term or phrase that you haven’t heard before, just ask! We are always willing and happy to educate our patients on dental lingo.
Commonly Confused Dental Terms: Contact Us Today
To schedule an appointment with our dental team, contact Modern Smiles online. We’re always accepting new patients, and we are ready to create your beautiful, healthy new smile!