Short answer
Plain-language meanings of the dental terms used in this guide. Each entry links to the page where the term is discussed. These are general definitions, not a diagnosis or advice for your own teeth.
Terms A to Z
- Abscess
- A pocket of pus caused by infection, for example at the root of a tooth. Root canal
- Adhesive bridge
- A bridge with a metal wing bonded to the back of a neighbouring tooth, with little or no drilling. Also called a resin-retained or “Maryland” bridge. Crowns and bridges
- Aligner (clear aligner)
- A series of custom-made, removable plastic trays that move teeth in small steps. Braces and aligners
- All-on-4
- A registered trademark of Nobel Biocare for a fixed full-arch bridge held by four implants. Similar techniques use other names such as “All-on-X”. Full-arch implants
- Amalgam
- A silver-coloured filling material, a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Fillings
- Bone graft
- Bone or bone-substitute material placed to build up the jaw, for example in a sinus lift. Sinus lift
- Bridge
- A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth, attached to the teeth or implants next to the gap. Crowns and bridges
- CBCT scan
- A 3D X-ray scan of the jaw used to plan implants and some other treatments. Full-arch implants
- Complete denture
- A removable set of replacement teeth for a whole upper or lower jaw. Dentures
- Composite (white) filling
- A tooth-coloured resin that bonds to the tooth and is set with a blue light. Fillings
- Conventional bridge
- A bridge in which the neighbouring teeth are reduced to pegs and crowned to carry the false tooth. Crowns and bridges
- Crown
- A restoration that fits over a tooth that has been reshaped. Crowns and bridges
- Dental implant
- An artificial tooth root, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone to hold a crown, bridge or denture. Implants
- Dry socket
- Pain after a tooth is removed because the blood clot did not form properly or was dislodged before healing. Tooth removal
- Enamel
- The hard outer layer of a tooth. Removing enamel cannot be reversed. Veneers
- Endodontist
- A dentist who specialises in treating the inside of teeth, including root canal treatment. Root canal
- General anaesthetic
- Medication that makes you unconscious for a procedure. Sedation
- Glass ionomer
- A cement used for fillings, often as a temporary filling. Fillings
- Health tourism authorisation
- Official permission from the Turkish health authorities for a facility or agency to serve international patients. Check it before you travel. Verify authorisation
- Implant passport
- A record from your clinic naming the implant brand, size and position, so another dentist can maintain or repair it. Dental records
- Informed consent
- Your agreement to a treatment after you have been given the information needed to decide, including risks and alternatives. Informed consent
- Local anaesthetic
- An injection that numbs an area so you stay awake without pain. Sedation
- Mucositis
- Inflammation of the soft tissue around an implant. It can occur before bone is affected. Full-arch implants
- Orthodontist
- A dentist who specialises in moving teeth with braces or aligners. Braces and aligners
- Overdenture
- A removable denture that clips onto implants. Full-arch implants
- Peri-implantitis
- Inflammation of the gum and bone around an implant that can lead to bone loss. Full-arch implants
- Periodontitis
- Serious gum disease that can destroy the gum and bone supporting the teeth. Gum treatment
- Prosthodontist
- A dentist who specialises in replacing and restoring teeth with crowns, bridges and dentures. Crowns and bridges
- Pulp
- The nerve and blood supply inside a tooth. Root canal
- Retainer
- A device worn after braces or aligners to hold teeth in their new position. Braces and aligners
- Root canal treatment
- Removal of infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth, followed by cleaning and sealing the canals. Root canal
- Rubber dam
- A rubber sheet that keeps a tooth dry and clean during treatment. Root canal
- Scaling
- Professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from teeth and below the gum line. Gum treatment
- Sedation
- Medication that helps you relax during treatment while you stay conscious. Sedation
- Sinus lift
- Surgery that adds bone under the sinus in the upper jaw so implants can be placed. Sinus lift
- Veneer
- A thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its look. Porcelain veneers need some enamel removed. Veneers
Frequently asked questions
Why are some terms missing?
The glossary covers terms used in our guides. We add terms as we add pages.
Can I use these definitions to decide on treatment?
No. Ask your dentist what a term means for your own teeth.
Sources
Definitions follow the wording of the sources listed on each linked guide.