This is the Ideal You Medical Dictionary. Please click on the letter below to search by alphabet or use the search function to lookup terms.

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Glossary Results:

Dental Caps - Dental caps cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and stability.

Dental Fillings - Most of us have had amalgam fillings (silver) or gold filling restorations. Some amalgam fillings were what we have called mercury fillings, as some amalgam fillings contained mercury. Metal fillings were effective, but very conspicuous and tended to blacken in color over time. Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings colored to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite Resin Dental Fillings, are made of a plastic dental resin. Composite Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile. Many dental insurance plans cover their use.

Dental Implants - Dental implants are fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed into your jaw bone. The implant is an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or a set of false teeth. The success rate of dental implants depends on where the implants are placed and their purpose. They are typically best placed in the front portion of your lower jaw. Implants are great for replacing missing teeth. It is important that you have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth for the implants to be attached to. Implants are not only used to replace one tooth, but rather people missing most, if not all, of their teeth benefit greatly as well. Implants are increasingly being used to replace certain types of bridges and removable partial dentures.

Dentin - The layer of tooth structure under the enamel.

Dentist - A person qualified to practice dentistry

Dentures - Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin which at times incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. There are two main types of dentures. Both Complete Dentures and Partial Dentures are finely crafted, custom-fitted. If you properly maintain your dentures they will appear natural and provide a perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.

Diastema - The space between two teeth.

Dermabrasion - Dermabrasion consists of a measured scraping of damaged skin from the face to create an area where a new layer of skin may form. To remove the skin, the doctor uses a handheld, motorized instrument, often with a brush, or a sanding wheel containing diamond particles, on the end that touches the skin.

Dermis - The dermis is the layer os skin immediately under the epidermis. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerves and nerve endings, glands and hair follicles.