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A crown, also called a cap, completely covers a tooth to restore the tooth to its normal shape and size. A crown is necessary for a tooth that has been severely fractured (cracked), damaged or decayed. It provides strength and durability to a tooth and is especially important for teeth that are subject to great wear and abrasion, such as your back teeth.

First, the tooth is prepared by reducing its size so that the crown can fit over it properly. Next, an impression of the prepared tooth is made to provide an exact mold for the crown. Your dentist will choose a tooth color that closely matches your own tooth shade. The impression will then be sent to a dental lab that will make your crown. While waiting for your permanent crown, a temporary cap will be placed over the prepared tooth. Finally, your dentist will cement your permanent crown into place.

Crowns are made from a variety of materials, including alloys of gold or other non-precious metals, porcelain, acrylic or ceramic.

Sealants are a clear, acrylic-like material that helps shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants should be applied to a child's new molars as they appear. Sealants will help reduce the chances of food becoming trapped in the deep groves of the molars. This procedure requires a short period of time and involves no freezing.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth daily. It is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, and can harden into tartar if not removed each day.

Plaque causes cavities when the acids in plaque attack your teeth after eating. With repeated acid attacks, your tooth enamel can break down and a cavity may form. Children are the most cavity-prone, but adults can also get tooth decay.

Gum disease starts with plaque above the gumline. Plaque that is not removed can irritate the gums around your teeth leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums). As plaque builds up and moves below the gumline, your gums can pull away from your teeth, which can lead to tooth loss.

It's easy to prevent plaque buildup with the proper care. Brush thoroughly at least twice a day with a toothbrush to remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth and under your gumline where your toothbrush may not reach. And visit your dentist and hygienist regularly for professional cleanings.

Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on your teeth constantly. Proper brushing with a toothbrush and flossing can help remove it. Tartar is an accumulation of hardened plaque and mineral deposits, yellow or brown in color that can only be removed by your dentist or hygienist.

A root canal is performed to save your tooth when the dental pulp, the soft inner core, is damaged or dead. Root canal therapy safely and effectively saves a tooth by cleaning out and filling a damaged pulp.

2. After the diseased pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned.

3. A temporary filling provides protection between appointments. Later, the temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal(s) permanently filled and sealed to prevent bacteria from entering.

4. Finally, a crown may be used to restore the tooth to its natural structure and appearance.

A tooth that is broken or has a deep cavity may damage the dental pulp. The resulting infection can lead to an abscess at the root tips. Also, if the tooth is jarred out of its natural alignment by an accident, the pulp may die.

When diseased pulp is left untreated, it dies, and the bone around the tooth may be destroyed. At this point, the tooth cannot be saved and must be removed.

MUST I VISIT A SPECIALIST FOR TREATMENT, OR CAN MY DENTIST PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE?

Your dentist may perform a root canal, or you may be referred to an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of "dental pulp" disorders.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an inflammation or infection of the gums and bone that surround and support your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss among adults in America today.

Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease, a mild inflammation of the gums. Plaque and tartar build up at the gumline causing your gums to get red and puffy. You may also notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. The bone and fibers holding your teeth in place are not affected. With treatment, gingivitis can be reversed.

Periodontitis: At this stage plaque spreads to your tooth roots where infection occurs, damaging the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place. Your gums may begin to pull away from your teeth forming a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper treatment can stop further damage.

Advanced Periodontitis: In this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, causing your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed to prevent further damage.

Have you ever been dazzled by the words dentists use? Here is our plain English guide to dental terminology.

What was said	What it means...
Abscess	infection
Amalgam	metallic filling
Apicectomy	operation to remove infection at the end of a tooth
Bitewings	X-rays taken to check old fillings and the gaps between your teeth
Bonding	white adhesive type of filling
Bridge	a new (false) tooth that is joined to the adjacent teeth
Calculus	hard deposit that builds up on teeth
Cap	see crown
Caries / cavity	hole in a tooth
Composite	white filling
Crown	protective cover over a tooth
Deciduous tooth	baby tooth
Dental surgeon	dentist
Distal	part of tooth toward the back of the mouth
Dry socket	infection after an extraction
Endodontics / endodontist	see root canal / a dentist who does root canals
Gingivitis	inflamed gums
Impacted	stuck so it can't come through (your tooth is impacted)
Mesial	part of tooth toward the front of the mouth
Mobile	loose
Occlusal	biting surface of a tooth
Oral surgeon	specialist who only does oral surgery
Orthodontal / orthodontist	teeth straightening / a dentist who straightens teeth
PA	small X-ray that shows the root of a tooth
Pericoronitis	inflammation around a tooth not fully through the gum
Periodontal / periodontist	gum / gum specialist
Periodontitis	infected gums
Plaque	germs on a tooth
Pocket	gap between the gum and a tooth
Prophy	polish
Root canal (treatment, filling)	infection is cleaned out from inside the tooth and the root is sealed up
Suture	stitch
Tartar	hard deposit that builds up on teeth
TMJ	jaw joint
Torus	a benign lump of bone