Barry W. Heaton, DDS
Diplomate of the American Board of PeriodontologyPractice Limited to Periodontics
& Dental Implants
Phone: 713-784-6065
Fax: 713-784-6085
5858 Westheimer Rd., Suite 820
Houston, Texas 77057
Fax: 713-784-6085
5858 Westheimer Rd., Suite 820
Houston, Texas 77057
Glossary of Terms
The following are a few of the most commonly used terms when referring to periodontal disease:
Glossary
Abscess
Localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissues.
Abutment
The second step of the implant procedure. This small titanium post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed.
Aggressive Periodontitis
A form of periodontitis that occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction.
AlloDerm
AlloDerm is a grafting material that supports tissue regeneration by allowing rapid revascularization, white cell migration and cell population - ultimately being transformed into host tissue for a strong, natural repair.
Arestin
ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after the Hygienist finishes the scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a simple surgery that removes samples of soft tissue or bone from the mouth. This may be gum tissue, a tooth, or a jaw piece. Biopsies are performed when the dentist wants to take a look at the sample in the laboratory. The goal is to find the sources of the abnormalities or lesions. They may be caused by illnesses or injuries. The lesions may be in the area of soft tissue or bone that looks abnormal. This can be a lump or a patch of skin that has a different color or texture.
Bone Graft
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with material from the patient's own body, an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute.
Calculus
Hardened dental plaque. Calculus (or tartar) is usually hard, rough and porous
Cementum
A mineralized bone-like tissue that covers the tooth root and blends with the periodontal ligament to hold the tooth in place.
Chronic Periodontitis
A form of periodontal disease resulting in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is recognized as the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
Comprehensive Evaluation
The initial periodontal examination is a key tool in determining the level of periodontal health.
Crown Lengthening
Crown Lengthening is a surgical procedure performed by a periodontist to expose a greater amount of tooth structure for the purpose of subsequently restoring the tooth prosthetically. This is done by removing the gingival tissue and/or bone around a tooth to give height for restorative work.
Debridement
It involves scaling to remove the calculus and plaque from the teeth. This will make it possible for the patient's gums to begin the process of healing, and just as importantly, it makes a thorough oral examination possible.
Dental Plaque
A sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth. The bacteria in dental plaque is what causes periodontal disease. If plaque is not removed carefully each day by brushing and flossing, it becomes calculus.
Distal/Proximal Wedge
This procedure is performed in an edentulous area adjacent to a periodontally involved tooth. Gingival incisions are utilized to allow removal of a tissue wedge to gain access and correct the underlying osseous defect and to permit close flap adaptation
Emdogain
Comprised of various proteins, which self-assemble to create this matrix, Emdogain mediates the formation of cementum on the root of the developing tooth, providing a foundation for all necessary tissues associated with a true functional attachment.
Extraction
A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration.
Frenectomy
A frenectomy is the surgical removal of the frenulum or frenum, which is a thin band of tissue found in the mouth.
Full Mouth X-Ray
A full mouth series is a complete set of intraoral X-rays taken of a patients' teeth and adjacent hard tissue. This is often abbreviated as either FMS or FMX. The full mouth series is composed of 18 films.
Gingival Flap
Gingival flap surgery is a type of gum procedure. The gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily. This allows a dentist to reach the root of the tooth and the bone. Gingival flap surgery is used to treat gum disease. It may be recommended for people with moderate or advanced periodontitis.
Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy is a periodontal surgical procedure which includes the removal of gingival tissue in order to achieve a more aesthetic appearance and/or functional contour.
Gingivitis
The first stage of periodontal disease. The gums usually become red, swollen and bleed easily. This is brought on by the bacteria in dental plaque if not removed on a daily basis.
Graft
A gingival graft or connective tissue graft (also called gum graft or periodontal plastic surgery) is a generic name for any of a number of surgical periodontal procedures whose combined aim is to cover an area of exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue. The covering of exposed root surfaces accomplishes a number of objectives: the prevention of further root exposure, decreased or eliminated sensitivity, decreased susceptibility to root caries, prevent tooth loss and improved cosmetic.
Implants
Artificial substitutes for tooth roots. Made from titanium and placed in the jaw, dental implants are screw form. Prosthetic teeth are attached to the abutment. Dental implants function like natural teeth.
Locator
If you already have dentures, and will be placing dental implant to support the denture, locators are used to "lock" your denture in place. This type of denture is called an overdenture. Locators offer excellent stability for a denture wearing patient.
Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases
An infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions including, but not limited to, HIV infection, malnutrition and immosuppression.
Osseointegration
The attachment of the bone to a dental implant. This process of bone integration usually takes three to six months after the implant has been placed in the mouth.
Osseous Surgery
The periodontist makes an incision in the gum where periodontal pockets have formed. The gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily, exposing the tooth root to allow the doctor to clean all infection out from the pocket. Bone regeneration procedures such as bone grafting may be performed at this point. The periodontist then re-positions the gum to reduce the pocket and promote healing. The incision is sutured closed following the procedure.
Panoramic Films
Panoramic films are extraoral film, in which the film is exposed while outside the patients' mouth which will show a panoramic view of the patients jaw. While panoramic films can prove very useful in detecting and localizing mandibular fractures and other pathologic entities of the mandible, they are also good at assessing periodontal bone loss.
Periapical View
The periapical is a type of x-ray that is taken of both anterior and posterior teeth. The objective of this type of view is to capture the entire tooth including the tip of the root. This is often helpful in determining the cause of pain in a specific tooth, because it allows a dentist to visualize the tooth as well as the surrounding bone in their entirety.
Periodontal Ligament
The tissue that attaches the tooth to the bone. Usually destroyed by advanced cases of periodontal disease, creating increased mobility of the teeth.
Periodontal Maintenance Therapy
An ongoing program designed to prevent periodontal disease from advancement or reoccurring on patients who have undergone periodontal treatment.
Periodontal Pocket
Toxins in plaque destroy the gum and connective tissues beneath the gumline. The gums pull away from the teeth, forming a pocket (space). As the disease progresses toward the bone, the pocket fills with plaque and infection. If not treated, the bone and connective tissue surrounding the tooth may become so severely damaged that the tooth will fall out or need to be extracted.
Periodontics
The branch of dentistry that specializes in treating the supporting bone and tissue of the teeth and in the placement, maintenance and treatment of dental implants.
Periodontist
A dentist who has additional training in periodontics and specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tissues and bone surrounding the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
Periodontitis
Periodontal disease involving bone loss around the teeth.
Periodontium
The tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and bone.
Root Amputation
Dental root amputation is a procedure where a dentist removes one or more roots from a tooth but leaves at least one root attached to the tooth so the tooth can be saved. It is done in cases of damaged teeth, severe gum recession, or root disease.
Root Scaling and Planing
A non-surgical procedure where the periodontist removes plaque and calculus from the periodontal pocket and around the tooth root and smoothes the root surfaces to promote healing.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, sometimes called a sinus augmentation, is surgery that lifts the sinus to add bone to your upper jaw where teeth have been missing for a long period of time. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or "lifted." A sinus lift is done by periodontist.
Torus Mandibularis
Torus mandibularis is a bony growth in the mandible along the surface nearest to the tongue. Mandibular tori are usually present near the premolars and above the location of the mylohyoid muscle's attachment to the mandible. Surgery can be done to remove these bony growths.
Vertical Bitewings
Vertical bitewings are films that show both upper and lower teeth, but the view extends farther down the root, generally giving an excellent image of the bone. Normally 7-8 views are taken. They are taken in place of traditional bitewings.
Vestibuloplasty
A surgical procedure performed to restore the bony ridge, from which teeth have been removed by lowering the attachment point of the gums to the bony ridge. Vestibuloplasty is prescribed when the remaining compartment of bone that formerly housed the tooth roots has shrunk to the point where it would be difficult or impossible to make a denture that would stay in place. This procedure includes any soft tissue grafting and revisions that may be performed to produce a tough ("keratinized") denture bearing surface.