Helpful Dental Terms

Amalgam - Filling material for posterior (back) teeth. Small amounts of mercury are present in this restoration which causes some concern.

Anesthesia - Local anesthesia works to numb the area where the dentist is working. The patient feels nothing and the dentist can communicate with the patient while work is being done in the area at all times.

Bonding - The mechanism by which veneers, tooth-colored fillings and crowns are fastened to teeth.

Bridge - A bridge replaces missing teeth. Teeth adjacent to the area of missing teeth are crowned and used as anchors to support the restorations.

Composite - Tooth-colored material that is available in many forms and shades and is used to fill teeth or to change the size, color and shape of teeth.

Composite Veneers - Ultra thin, cosmetic, composite facings made for anterior (front) teeth, used to change the shape, color and size of the teeth. Composite veneers can be completed in one visit making the desired changes immediate.

Comprehensive Periodontal Care - A treatment plan for periodontal (gum) disease that includes frequent, non-surgical therapy in the office and optimal home care. On rare occasions, surgery is indicated to treat advanced periodontal disease.

Consultation - Explanation of the information gathered and treatment you need after Dr. Cummings has reviewed and studied all the data he collected at your earlier appointment.

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Dentures - A denture is a removable piece of acrylic, (a hard plastic), which can replace missing teeth. Dr. Cummings molds and designs all dentures himself, in order to ensure both an esthetic and functional fit.

Edentulous - A person without teeth who requires dentures, dentures with implants or implants used to support a bridge.

Extraction - The surgical removal of a tooth or teeth.

Filling - Fillings, made of gold, composite or amalgam, are used to repair the portion of a tooth that dental decay has destroyed.

Full Mouth Reconstruction - This field is advanced and requires extensive knowledge of all dental specialties. A team approach is required to successfully perform this treatment. Patients treated this way feel confident with a new smile and can chew comfortably.

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Implants - Titanium screws singularly placed into the jawbone used as an anchor to replace missing teeth or retain a denture.

Occlusal Adjustments/ Bite Adjustments - A process by which teeth are smoothed so that all teeth meet evenly and only the front teeth hit when the jaw moves from side to side and forward.

Occlusal Guard - A removable dental appliance (mouth guard) that has been custom designed for you by Dr.Cummings to minimize the effects of bruxism (grinding).

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Periodontal Disease - This disease affects the bone that surrounds the teeth. Progression of this disease leads to tooth loss. It has been found that the bacteria found in periodontal disease are the same bacteria found in heart disease and stroke. Periodontal disease is diagnosed through comprehensive periodontal charting and treated through comprehensive periodontal therapy.

Porcelain Crowns/ Caps - A crown or cap is a covering made of porcelain used to restore and protect a tooth that is: broken, has a very large filling or has had a root canal.

Porcelain Veneers - A veneer is an ultra thin, cosmetic facing made for anterior (front) teeth, that can change the shape, color and size of the teeth. This procedure requires at least two visits along with a period of temporization before final placement of the restoration.

Preview Model - A custom crafted, visual model of what your teeth could look like.

Report of Findings - An outline of what is found after evaluating diagnostic procedures.

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Single Visit Root Canals - A one visit procedure to eliminate the nerve in the tooth. Most often there is minimal, if any post operative pain following this procedure.

TMJ - The Temporo Mandibular Joint connects the lower jaw with the scull. Many patients have pain in this region. The source of this pain is in either the joint itself or the surrounding muscle structure. Dr. Cummings is able to assess the source of discomfort or pain and has had great success in treating the muscular component of TMJ.

Tooth-Colored Filling - These fillings are now becoming the standard of care for back teeth. The material can appear very natural and is bonded into place. It can however stain, especially for patients who smoke or drink a lot of coffee.

Treatment Plan - An outline of all appointments and time necessary to complete the work a patient requires.

Tooth Whitening/ Bleaching - A treatment to whiten teeth, using custom fitted trays to cover the teeth for a 1/2 hour at home, twice daily over a two-week period.

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