Glossary
Dr. Schneider would like to share this glossary of terms to help you understand your treatment. To learn more about one of the procedures in our glossary, follow the links provided to access articles from the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Schnieder at 847.729.4840.
Dental Examinations | Dental Cleanings | X-Rays | Fillings
Tooth Whitening | Bonding | Veneers | Crowns and Bridges
Inlays and Onlays | Dental Implants | Dentures | Endodontics
Emergency Repairs | Mouthguards | Gums | Space Maintainers | Splints
- Dental Examinations
- The dentist, hygienist and staff will work together to observe, record and review the state of your oral health at every appointment. The dentist will complete an examination of your oral tissues, your teeth and complete an oral cancer screening. The dentist will chart your current restorations and the state of health of your gums, supporting bone as well any dental and cosmetic dental procedures that need to be done.
- Dental Cleanings
- Teeth should be cleaned at regular intervals.
- The regularity of your dental cleaning (dental prophylaxis) appointments will be determined by the health of your gum tissue. Your dentist and dental hygienist will discuss your dental health with you. Your dental hygienist will complete the following procedures during your dental cleaning appointment:
- Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is calcified plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.
- Removal of plaque: Dental stain and plaque are removed by mechanical polishing with a gentle polishing material. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the outside of teeth. It is composed of bacteria, food debris, and saliva. These bacteria contribute to dental decay and gum disease (periodontal disease).
- Digital X-rays
- Digital x-rays allow the doctor and patient to see diagnostic x-rays of the teeth and their supporting structures instantly. Digital x-rays have unique benefits: they reduce the amount of radiation to the patient, and allow the patient and dentist to see the x-ray images on a large private viewing screen. The dentist can adjust the resolution of the image to pinpoint caries and increase the effectiveness of his diagnosis and treatment.
- Digital x-rays allow the doctor and patient to see diagnostic x-rays of the teeth and their supporting structures instantly. Digital x-rays have unique benefits: they reduce the amount of radiation to the patient, and allow the patient and dentist to see the x-ray images on a large private viewing screen. The dentist can adjust the resolution of the image to pinpoint caries and increase the effectiveness of his diagnosis and treatment.
- Tooth Colored Fillings
- Silver (mercury) fillings used to be the filling of choice for posterior teeth. Now, innovations in dental materials have created new options. Decayed and chipped teeth can be be restored to their natural beauty with tooth color composite resin material. These tooth color filling materials have the added advantage of being mercury free! Benefits of composite tooth colored fillings: color match your natural tooth color, can whiten your teeth for a beautiful cosmetic result, strong enough to use in both posterior teeth and anterior teeth and they can last as long as silver fillings due to advanced in dental materials.
- Silver (mercury) fillings used to be the filling of choice for posterior teeth. Now, innovations in dental materials have created new options. Decayed and chipped teeth can be be restored to their natural beauty with tooth color composite resin material. These tooth color filling materials have the added advantage of being mercury free! Benefits of composite tooth colored fillings: color match your natural tooth color, can whiten your teeth for a beautiful cosmetic result, strong enough to use in both posterior teeth and anterior teeth and they can last as long as silver fillings due to advanced in dental materials.
- ZOOM!® Tooth Whitening
- Zoom Whitening will improve your tooth color in a matter of minutes. Benefits of whitening include: can be completed in 1 appointment, proven technology, immediate results at an affordable price. The procedure is simple:
- 1) After an examination and dental cleaning, the teeth and gums are prepared with dental material.
- 2) A whitening solution is applied to the teeth which is activated by a blue light in 15 minute increments.
You will see a brighter smile with immediate results. Patients from all walks of life request tooth whitening, whether they are preparing for a special day, giving it as a gift, preparing for a job interview or just want to look better.
- Zoom Whitening will improve your tooth color in a matter of minutes. Benefits of whitening include: can be completed in 1 appointment, proven technology, immediate results at an affordable price. The procedure is simple:
- Dental Bonding
- Dental bonding is a man-made composite white colored filling material designed for cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Schneider will sculpt and shape the dental bonding material to the cosmetic and functional results you desire.
- Dental bonding is a man-made composite white colored filling material designed for cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Schneider will sculpt and shape the dental bonding material to the cosmetic and functional results you desire.
- LUMINEERS® CERINATE Veneers
- Dental veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to correct the color, shape and length of teeth. Veneers are "contact thin", material that covers the front surface of teeth to enhance their profile. Veneers are more stain resistant than bonding and requires much less tooth removal. The doctor uses the revolutionary CERINATE LUMINEERS®. They do not require removing tooth structure and do not require anesthesia. Most can be applied in just one appointment.
- Dental veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to correct the color, shape and length of teeth. Veneers are "contact thin", material that covers the front surface of teeth to enhance their profile. Veneers are more stain resistant than bonding and requires much less tooth removal. The doctor uses the revolutionary CERINATE LUMINEERS®. They do not require removing tooth structure and do not require anesthesia. Most can be applied in just one appointment.
- Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
- Porcelain crowns are the restoration of choice for their cosmetic appearance and their durability. Porcelain crowns are used to: cover single teeth that are broken or decayed, straighten crooked teeth, close spaces between teeth, for dental bridges to fill spaces left by missing teeth, are not removable and can last for 5 - 10 years and many last longer with good oral hygiene. Porcelain crowns and bridges are a wonderful option in cosmetic dentistry because they can be color matched to your natural tooth color or whitened to brighten your teeth and smile.
- Porcelain crowns are the restoration of choice for their cosmetic appearance and their durability. Porcelain crowns are used to: cover single teeth that are broken or decayed, straighten crooked teeth, close spaces between teeth, for dental bridges to fill spaces left by missing teeth, are not removable and can last for 5 - 10 years and many last longer with good oral hygiene. Porcelain crowns and bridges are a wonderful option in cosmetic dentistry because they can be color matched to your natural tooth color or whitened to brighten your teeth and smile.
- Inlays and Onlays
- Porcelain can now be used to replace decayed or broken portions of tooth surface. Inlays replace tooth structure from the biting surface and sides of the teeth. Onlys replace one or more tips of a tooth that have been lost to decay or fracture. Generally, inlays and onlay are placed in two appointments.
- Dental Implants
- Dental implants are a simple answer to tooth loss today. Dental implants are artificial roots that are implanted to replace missing teeth. Implants are used to replace single teeth or multiple teeth lost. Dental Implants are a welcome alternative to fixed bridges and removable dentures. Implants look look natural and will be fully functional. Implants will last your lifetime. It is recommended that you have your teeth whitened prior to fabrication of the dental implant. The color will be better matched to your teeth after whitening. The benefits to patients with dental implants: enhanced cosmetic appearance, improved eating and chewing, and improved self-esteem.
- Dental implants are a simple answer to tooth loss today. Dental implants are artificial roots that are implanted to replace missing teeth. Implants are used to replace single teeth or multiple teeth lost. Dental Implants are a welcome alternative to fixed bridges and removable dentures. Implants look look natural and will be fully functional. Implants will last your lifetime. It is recommended that you have your teeth whitened prior to fabrication of the dental implant. The color will be better matched to your teeth after whitening. The benefits to patients with dental implants: enhanced cosmetic appearance, improved eating and chewing, and improved self-esteem.
- Full and Partial Dentures
- A denture is a removable prosthesis to replace missing teeth. It may replace all teeth in an arch or offer partial replacement. Full and partial dentures are made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals created to offer a cosmetic and functional replacement for natural teeth. Full and partial dentures are removable.
- A denture is a removable prosthesis to replace missing teeth. It may replace all teeth in an arch or offer partial replacement. Full and partial dentures are made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals created to offer a cosmetic and functional replacement for natural teeth. Full and partial dentures are removable.
- Endodontics (root canal treatment)
- Root canal treatment, or an endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure performed when the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or dies. The pulp tissue is removed and the tooth will be treated and sealed in just one appointment for most patients.
- Root canal treatment, or an endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure performed when the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or dies. The pulp tissue is removed and the tooth will be treated and sealed in just one appointment for most patients.
- Emergency Repairs
- Dental emergencies include include injuries to the mouth as well as broken teeth, broken fillings or crowns, oral pain, and broken dentures or partials. Oral injuries and broken dental fillings, crowns or removable dentures should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
- Dental emergencies include include injuries to the mouth as well as broken teeth, broken fillings or crowns, oral pain, and broken dentures or partials. Oral injuries and broken dental fillings, crowns or removable dentures should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
- Mouthguards for sports
- Mouthguards are recommended for any individual who is engaged in competitive sports. The mouthguard is a soft plastic removable appliance that is worn over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth, bone and tissue in the event the patient falls or is hurt during sports.
- Mouthguards are recommended for any individual who is engaged in competitive sports. The mouthguard is a soft plastic removable appliance that is worn over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth, bone and tissue in the event the patient falls or is hurt during sports.
- Night Guards
- This removable appliance is used to prevent the patient from clenching their teeth together or to grind their teeth. A night guard is often used for patients who grind their teeth and/or clench their teeth during the night.
- Non-surgical Periodontal (Gum) Treatment and Maintenance
- Non-surgical gum treatments involve the non-surgical intervention and treatment for periodontal disease. The procedures that are used in non-surgical periodontal treatments include: scaling and root planing, ultra-sonic scalers to deliver medication to the area with the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease.
- Non-surgical gum treatments involve the non-surgical intervention and treatment for periodontal disease. The procedures that are used in non-surgical periodontal treatments include: scaling and root planing, ultra-sonic scalers to deliver medication to the area with the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease.
- Space Maintainers
- Space maintainers are used to hold a space left by premature primary tooth loss in the premolar and molar areas of the mouth. These small space maintainers are temporarily cemented to the tooth adjacent to the open space. They help prevent the remaining teeth from drifting into this open space.
- TMJ Splints
- This removable splint, made of tooth-colored or clear material is prepared for you by the dentist. The dentist will construct the splint to promote healthy jaw muscles and will help guide the jaw into a more natural position in the mouth. This splint is often used for patients who have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.
- This removable splint, made of tooth-colored or clear material is prepared for you by the dentist. The dentist will construct the splint to promote healthy jaw muscles and will help guide the jaw into a more natural position in the mouth. This splint is often used for patients who have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.