Terminology

Quick Dental Glossary

Tap a term below to jump to the letter section and get a simple explanation.

ABCEFILNOPSTVZ

A

  • Abutment: Connector piece that joins an implant to the crown or bridge on top.
  • All-on-4: Full-arch fixed bridge supported by four implants.
  • All-on-6: Full-arch fixed bridge supported by six implants.

B

  • Bone graft: Material added to build or thicken jawbone before or during implants.
  • Bridge: Linked crowns that replace missing teeth by attaching to neighboring teeth or implants.
  • Bruxism: Habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, often during sleep.

C

  • CBCT: 3D dental scan (cone beam CT) that shows bone, teeth, and sinuses.
  • Crown: Cap that covers and protects a tooth or attaches to an implant.
  • Framework: Support structure under a full-arch bridge, often titanium or zirconia.
  • Composite: Tooth-colored resin used for fillings or some veneers.

E

  • Enamel: The hard outer layer of a tooth that protects the inner dentin and pulp.

F

  • Full-arch bridge: A fixed set of teeth that replaces an entire jaw using implants for support.

I

  • IV sedation: Medicine given through a vein to help you relax or sleep lightly during treatment.

L

  • Lithium disilicate: Tooth-colored ceramic often branded as e.max; strong and aesthetic.

N

  • Night guard: Custom mouthguard worn during sleep to protect teeth or implants from grinding.

O

  • OPG: Panoramic 2D x-ray that shows all teeth and jaws in one image.
  • Osseointegration: Process where bone bonds to an implant surface during healing.
  • Overdenture: Removable denture that snaps onto implants for extra stability.

P

  • Porcelain: Tooth-colored ceramic used for veneers and crowns.
  • Provisional: Temporary tooth or bridge worn while finals are being made.
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Crown or bridge with a metal base covered by porcelain for tooth color.
  • Peri-implantitis: Inflammation and bone loss around an implant caused by bacteria.

S

  • Sedation: Medication used to help patients relax during dental procedures.
  • Sinus lift: Procedure to add bone below the sinus for upper back implants.

T

  • Titanium: Strong, biocompatible metal used for implants and some bridge frameworks.

V

  • Veneer: Thin shell on the front of a tooth to change shape or color.

Z

  • Zirconia: Very strong ceramic used for crowns and bridges.
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