polishing (redirected from selective polishing)

polishing,

n the process of making a surface smooth and glossy or giving luster to a surface, usually by friction.

polishing brush,

n See brush, polishing.

polishing, coronal,

n the removal of soft deposits such as materia alba, plaque, and stains from the clinical crowns of the teeth to provide cleaner-appearing dentition using a rubber cup or prophy jet. See also polishing, selective and polishing, air-powder.

polishing cup,

n the working end of a powered rotary tooth-polishing tool. Attached in various ways including mounted, threaded, or slip-on and is made from synthetic or natural rubber. Can also be disposable type and attached to the prophy angle.

polishing disk,

n See disk, polishing.

polishing, prophy jet,

n See polishing, air-powder.

polishing, selective,

n a method of coronal polishing in which selected teeth are targeted due to the presence of stains. This method helps minimize the loss of enamel on natural teeth due to the friction from the movement and polishing paste and also decreases the possibility of damage to restorations, such as porcelain crowns, or to exposed root surfaces.

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polishing

the final step in dental prophylaxis which smooths the tooth surface and delays the rate of new plaque adhesion. Carried out with a mechanical polisher, prophy cup and paste.