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:

Chiropractor - A practitioner who treats illness and injuries through adjustment, manipulation and treatment of the spinal column. In most states, chiropractors must be registered or licensed.

Cosmetic Surgery - Any surgery done primarily to improve or change the way one appears, cosmetic surgery does not primarily improve the way the body works or correct deformities resulting from disease, trauma or birth defect. For important information on cosmetic surgery, see the "Exclusions" section.

Composite Resin - Tooth-colored filling material made of resin reinforced with silica or porcelain particles.

Crown - A cap, cover, or restoration to replace the missing portion of a tooth. (This procedure can also correct general bite with individual teeth or replace missing teeth.)

Cosmetic Dentistry - The field of dentistry dedicated to the art and science of enhancing a person's smile, overall appearance, and oral health.

Cosmetic Gum Surgery - Your gum tissue is like a frame that provides form and shape to the top of your tooth. A less than attractive smile results when the integrity of the gum is compromised or the actual gum between your teeth becomes weak. Usually due to poor hygiene (gum disease), you actually begin to lose gum tissue. Cosmetic dentistry provides many cosmetic solutions such as composite resin bonding, crowns, and veneers to create a great smile. These solutions are usually part of an overall strategy which may involve cosmetic gum surgery. Used to correct a 'gummy smile' (a significant portion of your gum is exposed when you smile), cosmetic gum surgery is the procedure of lengthening your teeth from the neck of the tooth upwards. Your teeth then appear to be longer and much less gum is seen when you smile. The "Long in the Tooth" Smile - Cosmetic gum surgery, or periodontal plastic surgery, can correct almost any deformity or gingival problems preventing you from a beautiful smile. As we age, our gums may shrink and recede which makes our teeth look longer. While this is often age-related, it can also occur due to a bad bite. A cosmetic dentist or a periodontist can correct this to such an extent, that you'll have a very youthful appearing smile. The "Gummy Smile" - This is a problem where your teeth appear to be too short. Gum sculpting is often the solution. To solve this, a dentist uses a laser to remove the excess tissue of your "gummy" smile, which then exposes more of your tooth.

Cataract - A cataract is the clouding of the eyes lens that can cause vision problems. Understand the condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and surgical treatment options.

Cosmetic Contouring - Reshaping the natural teeth to make them straighter or more youthful in appearance.

Chemical Peels - All chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to remove the outer layers of skin so that a smoother, more evenly pigmented, glowing layer of skin can appear. There are three basic categories of chemical peels. Each type works differently, and produces different results. Your doctor may choose from the following three types of chemical peel, or he/she may tailor the treatment to the needs of your skin. In general, the stronger the chemical, the deeper the peel, and the more impressive the results. However, the deeper the peel, the more pain youre likely to experience and the longer the recovery time will be. Light peels: Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), Betahydroxy acids (BHAs) Light or lunch hour peels are the mildest of the chemical peels. These peels include glycolic, lactic, and fruit acid peels (AHA) or Salicylic Acid (BHA). They burn off only the outer layers of the skin to smooth out fine wrinkles and/or rough, dry skin. AHA and Beta lift peels may also be used to improve the texture of sun-damaged skin, balance out skin pigmentation, or diminish some types of acne scars. These peels are often repeated to achieve the desired results. The application of AHA and Beta lift peels are relatively fast and simple. These peels are generally performed in the doctors office. No sedation or anesthesia is required, since the patient only experiences a slight stinging when the solution is applied. The treatment usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but the doctor may vary the concentration of the chemical solution or the length of time of the treatment. The doctor will begin by thoroughly cleansing the area to be treated. Next, he/she will apply the AHA solution, wait up to 15 minutes, and then remove it. After the procedure, no ointments or salves will be necessary to cover the treated area. Monthly or weekly repetition is common. Medium peels: Trichloroacetic acids (TCA) A TCA solution is used for medium depth peels. This is generally used to treat skin with moderate sun damage, surface wrinkles, and/or uneven tone or pigment abnormalities. Full-face TCA peels take approximately 15 minutes. Generally, TCA peels are performed in the doctors office or in a surgery center as an outpatient procedure. Before applying the chemical solution, the doctor will thoroughly cleanse the area to be treated. A sedative may be given, but TCA peels often do not require anesthesia because the solution itself has a numbing effect on the skin. At first, the patient may feel a warm or burning sensation, followed by stinging. Sometimes two or more TCA peel treatments, at intervals of one to two months, are necessary to achieve the desired results. The TCA peels can be used in varying concentrations, the higher concentrations may require oral or liquid anesthesia medication. Deep peels: Phenol acid Phenol acid is the strongest chemical peel solution, and it is used for the deepest possible chemical peel. Phenol peels are used to treat skin with coarse wrinkles and blotchiness. They may also be effectively used to treat patients with pre-cancerous growths. Phenol peels should be used with caution because they can cause permanent lightening of the skin. For this reason, Phenol peels are not recommended for most patients with very dark skin tones. Full-face Phenol peels take approximately one to two hours, but small-area phenol peels (such as on the upper lip) may take about 10 - 15 minutes. Generally, phenol peels are performed in the doctors office or in a surgery center as an outpatient procedure with anesthesia. After completing the procedure, the doctor may apply petroleum jelly or a waterproof dressing tape to the treated area. This covering will be left on for a day or two. Unlike AHA and TCA peels, Phenol peels are only used once and create dramatic results.

Cellulite Treatment - Cellulite that familiar puckered, dimply skin that commonly appears on the hips, buttocks and other areas -- is not caused by being overweight, as many people think. The condition is due to a combination of tightened connective tissue in the skin and excess fatty tissue. These connective tissues, called septa, attach the top layer of our skin to deep muscles. When these tissues weaken or become less flexible, the septae tend to pull down on the surface of the skin, creating dimples. And its those dimples that produce the orange-peel look of cellulite. Why these connective tissues tighten is still under investigation. Circulation, genetics and age are commonly thought to be culprits, as are the hormonal changes which take place during pregnancy or menopause. Until those reasons are better understood, there will be no permanent treatment for cellulite. There are, however, a few procedures that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. The most popular and effective treatment is deep therapeutic massage called Endermologie, a procedure designed to treat cellulite and produce softer, smoother skin.

Cheek Augmentation -implants - When cheek implant surgery is performed in conjunction with other facial procedures, the implants may be inserted through the incisions used for that procedure. If cheek implant surgery is performed by itself, incisions are either made at the top of the upper lip, near the gums, or on the outer cheek, slightly below the lower eyelid. The implant of the size and shape that the surgeon has selected is then inserted through these incisions into a pocket created in the tissue. In some cases, a small titanium screw is used to attach the implant and the bone. The implants are placed on or below the cheekbones and the incisions are closed with sutures that the body absorbs. At the conclusion of the surgery the skin is dressed to reduce swelling.

Chin Augmentation-implants - Most often, an incision is made inside the lower lip, or under the chin. An implant of the desired size and shape is then placed inside the chin. If the incision is inside the mouth, it is closed with sutures (stitches) that later dissolve. If the incision is under the chin, removable sutures are used. At the end of the surgery, the chin is often taped to minimize swelling.

Collagen Implant - An injection of natural protein which raises skin tissue to smooth skin and make wrinkles and scars appear less visible

Collagen Treatments - Before receiving your first collagen injection, a skin treatment needs to be performed to determine whether or not you are allergic to the substance. During the actual procedure, collagen is injected using a fine needle at several points along the edge of the treatment site. Since part of the collagen substance is salt water that will be absorbed by the body within a few days, the doctor usually overfills the treated area slightly. This process can take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the number of areas to be treated. As far as any pain during the collagen injections, there is minimal pain involved since the anesthetic agent lidocaine is mixed in with collagen. The patient may experience some minor stinging or burning as the injections are administered. However the patient can choose to have a topical cream anesthetic or a freon spray to numb the treated area and further minimize the pain.

Calf Implants - An incision is made below the crease behind the knee. In this position, any scar that remains after the surgery will most likely be well concealed; however the scar will be visible to someone who looks for it. The implant is inserted, and the incision is closed with sutures (stitches).