Dental glossary

Also known as Implant abutment

A small connector that joins a dental implant to the crown, bridge or denture it supports. It sits between the implant in the jawbone and the visible replacement tooth.

Also known as Teeth grinding, Teeth clenching

The habit of clenching or grinding the teeth, often during sleep and frequently without the person being aware of it.

Also known as Invisalign, Aligners

A series of removable, transparent trays that gradually move the teeth into a new position. Invisalign is one well-known brand of clear aligner.

Also known as Tooth-coloured filling, White filling material

A tooth-coloured material made of plastic and fine glass particles, commonly used for fillings and some cosmetic repairs.

Also known as Tooth decay, Cavities

The clinical name for tooth decay: damage to the tooth caused by acids that form when bacteria in plaque break down sugars. Early decay often causes no symptoms.

Also known as Crown, Cap

A custom-made cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance.

Also known as Tooth implant

A small post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth and support a crown, bridge or denture.

Also known as Tooth enamel

The hard, outer layer of the tooth. It is the hardest tissue in the body and protects the softer parts inside, but it does not grow back once lost.

Also known as Root canal treatment, Endodontic treatment

The area of dentistry that deals with the soft tissue (pulp) inside the tooth and the tissues around the root. Its most widely recognised treatment is root canal treatment.

Also known as Dental sealant, Pit and fissure sealant

A thin protective coating applied to the grooved chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent decay by sealing out food and plaque.

A natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to the acids that cause decay.

Also known as Early gum disease

Early, reversible inflammation of the gums, usually caused by plaque building up along the gum line.

Also known as Bad bite, Misaligned bite

A bite in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet as they ideally should, including crowding, spacing or an uneven bite.

The branch of dentistry concerned with the alignment of the teeth and jaws and with correcting how the teeth bite together.

Also known as Palate expander, Maxillary expander

An orthodontic appliance used, most often in children, to gradually widen a narrow upper jaw and create more room for the teeth and the nasal airway.

Also known as Advanced gum disease

A more advanced form of gum disease that affects the deeper tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Unlike early gum inflammation, its effects are not fully reversible.

Also known as Dental plaque

A soft, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. If it is not removed, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Also known as Tooth whitening, Tooth bleaching

A cosmetic treatment that uses a peroxide-based gel to lighten the colour of natural teeth. Results vary from person to person.

Also known as Dental veneer, Porcelain veneer

A thin, custom-made shell, usually of porcelain or composite, bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, colour or alignment.

Also known as Third molar

The third and last molars at the back of the mouth, which usually appear in the late teens or early twenties. They do not always have room to come through.