COMMON PROCEDURES

Crown prep

Dentist reduces/shapes the tooth so a crown can fit over it. “Finishing the prep on #19.”

Core build-up

Filling material placed after decay removal to give the crown something solid to hold onto.

Root canal (RCT)

Removing the infected or dead nerve/pulp from inside the tooth. “#3 is necrotic, scheduling RCT.”

Scaling and root planing (SRP)

Deep cleaning below the gumline to remove tartar and smooth roots, often with anesthetic.

Pulpotomy

Partial pulp removal, usually on kids when only the top part is affected.

Pulpectomy

Full removal of pulp — basically a baby root canal.

Same-day crown

Crown milled and seated in one appointment using CEREC or similar.

Sealant

Thin protective coating placed in grooves of back teeth, usually on kids.

Veneer

Thin porcelain or composite covering the front of a tooth for cosmetics.

Composite restoration

Another way to say tooth-colored filling.

Amalgam replacement

Switching old silver fillings to composite for esthetics or cracks.

Prophylaxis

Regular cleaning (prophy) — what most patients call a “cleaning”.

Quadrant scaling

Doing one section of the mouth per visit for deep cleanings.