What's the difference / similarities between these dental terms?

1) caries, cavity, calculus, tartar





2) crown, bridge





3) sealants, fillings





4) pit, fissure





and if anybody could provide websites more on dental terms for beginners, plus the helping pictures, i'd appreciate very much. thanx.. [serious answers only]

What's the difference / similarities between these dental terms?
#1 - Caries and cavities are the same thing. Caries are areas of the teeth that have become soft and need to be filled. Cavities is the same, although, it can also be a hole in the tooth.


Calculus and tartar are the same thing. Plaque is what builds up on your teeth daily. If you do not brush it away, it hardens into calculus or tartar. It then has to be removed by the hygienist.


#2 - A crown is a "cap" or a "helmet" for a tooth. If your tooth breaks down, the dentist can prep the tooth for a crown. This helps to protect the remaining tooth structure.


A bridge is used when you have a missing tooth. If the teeth on either side are healthy, the dentist can prep those teeth, and attach crowns to those, and there is a "false tooth" permanently attached to those crowns on either side. Therefore filling in the gap of the missing tooth. It is a great option if you don't want to have partial denture.


#3 - Fillings are used when you have caries or cavities in the tooth. The dentist drills out the softer area and fills it with filling material.


Sealants are used to seal off deep pitts or fissures so no decay occurs. There is usually no drilling required, and is done on molar teeth, normally on children.


#4 - Pits and fissures are areas in the molars that are naturally there. Some people have deeper pits in their teeth, which will require sealants. The pits are too deep and tiny for the toothbrush to properly clean. The dentist will put a sealant over the pit or fissure (a pit that is strung into a line), to seal it off from bacteria so no decay will occur.
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